# 142: New And Improved Appendages

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2016-03-10
- Length: 1h 16m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-03-10-142-new-and-improved-appendages
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/embedded-ep142mp3

## Summary

Sarah Petkus, a kinetic artist and founder of Robot Army LLC, discusses her robotic art installations, including the Robot Army, Noodlefeet, and Carl the flamingo. She explains her transition from 2D illustration to mechatronics at SAIC, detailing how she uses 3D printing, Algodoo for simulation, and open-source kits to build complex mechanical systems. Petkus highlights the challenges of designing for manufacturing, such as prototyping Noodle's fluid-drooling feet and Carl's inverted pendulum balance, while sharing her business model of funding art through Kickstarter and freelance design work.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-03-10-142-new-and-improved-appendages#t=6) Introduction: Sarah Petkus and Robot Army LLC
- [5:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-03-10-142-new-and-improved-appendages#t=312) The Robot Army Installation and Control Systems
- [13:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-03-10-142-new-and-improved-appendages#t=833) Kickstarter Success and Open Source Kits
- [19:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-03-10-142-new-and-improved-appendages#t=1166) Noodlefeet: Quadruped Design and Fluid Mechanics
- [29:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-03-10-142-new-and-improved-appendages#t=1740) Education at SAIC and Learning Mechatronics
- [38:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-03-10-142-new-and-improved-appendages#t=2326) Prototyping with Algodoo and 3D Printing
- [43:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-03-10-142-new-and-improved-appendages#t=2628) Business Model: Grants, Kickstarter, and Freelancing
- [48:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-03-10-142-new-and-improved-appendages#t=2920) Carl the Flamingo: Inverted Pendulum Design
- [57:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-03-10-142-new-and-improved-appendages#t=3429) Introversion, Socializing, and Maker Fairs

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Robot Army (product)
- Noodlefeet (product)
- Carl (product)
- SAIC (company)
- Algodoo (tool)
- Woodgears.ca (tool)
- MakerBot Replicator 1 (tool)
- Leap Motion (tool)
- Festo (company)
- robot-army.com (other)
- zoness.com (other)
- Gravity Roads (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep008: The Art Episode: Joe Kim, Strings And CRTs, Hydrogen Done 2-Ways](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-03-01-ep008-the-art-episode-joe-kim-strings-and-crts-hydrogen-done-2-ways) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [An Interview with Simone Giertz](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-13-an-interview-with-simone-giertz) (The Amp Hour)
- [Episode 188: Robots that will kill you](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-10-26-episode-188-robots-that-will-kill-you) (Making It)
- [Episode 109: Building robots at home - Dan Nicholson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-02-14-episode-109-building-robots-at-home-dan-nicholson) (Robot Talk)
- [Ep 129: Super Clever 3D Printing, Jigs and Registration Things, 90s Car Audio, and Smooth LED Fades](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-07-30-ep-129-super-clever-3d-printing-jigs-and-registration-things-90s-car-audio-and-s) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-03-10-142-new-and-improved-appendages. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.