Swimming Octopus is an umbrella which mimic flexible motion of octopus leg.

In raining day, you can see octopus is swimming in the rain.

Fin-ray structure from robot arm. Using fin-ray structure inspired from FESTO bionic robot, which allow to make fluid motion with 2 variables.

Finding right length and structure wih paper mock-ups

making of

SWIMMING OCTOPUS

This project aimed to utilize engineering knowledge to create organic movements in a desired context. Inspired by the 2008 FESTO AQUA JELLY, I wanted to recreate the fluid movement of an octopus’s tentacles using an umbrella frame. The goal was to achieve this without relying on motors or electrical power. A similar reference is the 2017 SONY TOIO robotic cube papercraft. Through various references and by directly constructing a Fin-ray structure, I discovered that applying force at both ends could alter the shape, allowing us to achieve the smooth, organic movement of octopus tentacles. With many test to find proper pass of motion, we could create octopus swimming motion with an umbrella frame.

Similarly, in 2022, the Hyundai Commission by Anicka Yi at Tate Modern, titled “In Love With the World,” utilized the same structure to express movement.


YEAR
2017 OCT - DEC

GROUP PROJECT

CATEGORY
SMART SPORT CLIMBING DEVICE

MATERIAL
PLASTIC, PLA

ROLE
DESIGNER, ENGINEERING RESEARCH, PHYSICAL STRUCTURE BUILDING