Dutch environmental sculptor Theo Jansen has spent the last 20+ years making these beautiful, wind-powered walking robots he calls Strandbeest (which translates to beach walkers). The creatures, besides being the stuff of dreams and movies, serve a few actual purposes. They kick sand back up onto the dunes, helping fortify the beach against erosion and rising ocean levels, but perhaps more significantly, Jansen makes them as an inspiration, to show what renewable energy sources like wind can do.

“The walls between art and engineering exist only in our minds.” Theo Jansen

Made from recycled materials – PVC pipe, zip ties, and lemonade bottles – they some of the most lifelike (non-living) creatures I’ve ever seen.

Love the Strandbeest? Want one of your very own? You’re in luck! There are also kits you can buy to make your own!

And if you’d like to know how they work, here’s his 2007 Ted Talk.