There are few things more annoying than sitting on the couch and realizing you left your drink on the table ten feet away.
But what if the table came to you, instead of you having to get up and retrieve it yourself?
That dream has become reality thanks to a Dutch expert who built a remote-controlled walking table with twelve legs.
Carpentopod looks like a cross between The Luggage from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels and Theo Jansen’s Strandbeest sculptures. The vehicle has two engines that power twelve legs, six on each side.
Stunning footage shows the table being brought to the user with a full bottle of beer on it, without a drop being spilled.
The remote-controlled Carpentopod has two motors that power 12 legs – six on each side. A great video shows it approaching the user with a full bottle of beer on it
The Luggage from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels (pictured) is a suitcase with legs – and has a nasty habit of biting people
Carpentopod was built by Giliam de Carpentier, a programmer and carpenter from Amsterdam, who described his creation in detail in a long blog.
He said Carpentopod was “relatively practical and aesthetically pleasing to have in the home” and further described it as a “fusion of the robotic with the organic.”
“I am now enjoying the fruits of my labor, having completed my twelve-legged ‘Carpentopod2 table project,’” he said.
‘I chose the name by combining ancient Latin and Greek words: carpentum (for carriage) and pod (for feet or legs).’
Carpentopod started out as a software designer, until De Carpentier used his carpentry skills to bring it to life.
Like Theo Jansen’s wind-powered Strandbeest sculptures, Carpentopod features a clever internal pivot mechanism that lifts one leg when the leg is placed directly opposite it on the ground.
When the table needs to change direction, the legs on only one side of the table move – similar to the oars of a rower in a boat.
Carpentopod started out as a software designer before Giliam de Carpentier used his carpentry skills to bring it to life
Carpentopod blends into its surroundings, meaning guests can be surprised once it gets moving
“Because each individual leg in the Carpentopod connection represents only one-third of the walking cycle on the ground, the table itself would need twelve legs to be stable at all times,” Carpentier said.
‘Between the six legs at one end and the six at the other end, I also left room for a hollow, central ‘belly’ that fits the electronics, motors and battery.’
The programmer can move his table with a remote control, but until then he blends in with the environment. This means that guests can be surprised when the table comes closer.
He acknowledges the similarity to The Luggage from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels: a tree trunk with legs that has the nasty habit of biting people.
“To avoid it looking angular, I designed the frame and belly to be curved, like an inverted treasure chest,” said Carpentier.
The inspiring Strandbeest sculptures by Theo Jansen (pictured) can move independently, sometimes propelled by the wind
‘This has probably led some people to remark that it resembles The Luggage from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels.
“But I promise that this resemblance is purely coincidental and that a Carpentopod table is much less dangerous.”
It seems that there are already several potential buyers for the device, with commentators calling the device “incredible” and “inspiring.”
Someone posted on the Carpentier blog: ‘Oh, can I buy one? Great.’
Another user said: ‘I absolutely love this.’
They added: ‘The amount of work involved in addressing the (lack of) utility makes it even more fantastic in my eyes.’
Someone else posted: ‘The clacking of his little feet… sublime,’ adding: ‘This is absolutely the best thing I’ve ever seen.’
While De Carpentier admitted that “a lot of people have asked if they could get one,” he said he doesn’t currently “make them to order.”