Abstract: In one embodiment there is provided a mechanical device capable of mimicking a serpentine motion. The mechanical device includes a plurality of segmented portions interconnected consecutively at pivoted junctions. A rotational motor and an eccentric weight are secured about one segmented portion and at least one pair of legs extends from a segmented portion towards a contact surface and causes the segmented portion to move in a direction defined as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric weight. The additional segmented portions following the segmented leg portion follow in a serpentine motion as these portions rock and pivot to counter-balance the undulation caused by the segmented leg portion.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, a vibrating mechanism, and a plurality of appendages each having an appendage base proximal to the housing and an appendage tip distal from the housing. One or more of the appendages are adapted to cause the apparatus to move across a surface in a forward direction generally defined by a longitudinal offset between the appendage base and the appendage tip, and the appendages include two or more appendages disposed such that the appendage tips of the two or more appendages are adapted to contact opposing surfaces to produce a net force in a direction generally defined by a longitudinal offset between the appendage base and the appendage tip of the two or more appendages as the vibrating mechanism causes the apparatus to vibrate. The net force can allow the apparatus to climb when the opposing surfaces are inclined.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, an eccentric load adapted to be rotated by the rotational motor, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. The legs are coupled to the housing at the leg base and include at least one driving leg constructed from a flexible material and configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.

Abstract: In one embodiment there is provided a mechanical device capable of mimicking a serpentine motion. The mechanical device includes a plurality of segmented portions interconnected consecutively at pivoted junctions. A rotational motor and an eccentric weight are secured about one segmented portion and at least one pair of legs extends from a segmented portion towards a contact surface and causes the segmented portion to move in a direction defined as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric weight. The additional segmented portions following the segmented leg portion follow in a serpentine motion as these portions rock and pivot to counter-balance the undulation caused by the segmented leg portion.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, a vibrating mechanism, and a plurality of appendages each having an appendage base proximal to the housing and an appendage tip distal from the housing. One or more of the appendages are adapted to cause the apparatus to move across a surface in a forward direction generally defined by a longitudinal offset between the appendage base and the appendage tip, and the appendages include two or more appendages disposed such that the appendage tips of the two or more appendages are adapted to contact opposing surfaces to produce a net force in a direction generally defined by a longitudinal offset between the appendage base and the appendage tip of the two or more appendages as the vibrating mechanism causes the apparatus to vibrate. The net force can allow the apparatus to climb when the opposing surfaces are inclined.