Survival Research Labs: Machines with whimsical madness

Aug. 6, 2011
It's hard to beat Survival Research Labs when it comes to leveraging leading-edge technology and robotics into true spectacles of confusion and destruction. For example, did you know they were the first ones to have an animal-controlled robot in a live ...

It's hard to beat Survival Research Labs when it comes to leveraging leading-edge technology and robotics into true spectacles of confusion and destruction. For example, did you know they were the first ones to have an animal-controlled robot in a live performance? It's true. Back in the 1980s, they had a guinea pig in a wired-up harness on a six-legged robot and the guinea pig's movements controlled the robot's movements.

You can spend a lot of time wandering their website, checking out machines like the Mumbly Peg Stabber and the Flame Whistle. (You can also run into a few dead links, but that's one of the hallmarks of older websites.) This one is still updated and you can get DVDs of previous SRL shows with semi-pompous names like "Virtues of Negative Fascination" and "A Calculated Forecast of Ultimate Doom: Sickening Episodes of Widespread Devastation Accompanied by Sensations of Pleasurable Excitement."

But these folks don't take themselves too seriously, and the founder, Mark Pauline, is a big fan of Machine Design. In fact, he was kind enough to invite me to his workshop and talk me through several of his machines a few years ago. Here's the article that came out of that interview: Crashing and Burning with Class.

Sponsored Recommendations

NEW Low Profile, Ultra Compact Power Supplies

March 13, 2024
Learn more HERE about Altech's Power supplies!

Altech's Liquid Tight Strain Relifs Catalog

March 13, 2024
With experienced Product Engineers and Customer Service personnel, Altech provides solutions to your most pressing application challenges. All with one thought in mind - to ensure...

Industrial Straight-Through Cable Gland

March 13, 2024
Learn more about Altech's cable glands and all they have to offer for your needs!

All-In-One DC-UPS Power Solutions

March 13, 2024
Introducing the All-In-One DC-UPS, a versatile solution combining multiple functionalities in a single device. Serving as a power supply, battery charger, battery care module,...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!