TITANOBOA: A Fossil Fueling Change.
Photo by Michael J.P. Hall www.michaeljphall.com
60 million years ago in the sweltering heat of a climate 6 to 8 degrees warmer than today lived a monstrous snake called Titanoboa. It was only at these warmer temperatures which are at the upper end of climate change predictions that the cold blooded beast was able to reach these sizes. Today, as fossilized life is exhumed and burned relentlessly to fuel modern progress, primordial spirits have been stirring. This fossil beast has been brought back to life as a provocative omen on the eve of catastrophe.
The Titanoboa project seeks to reincarnate this 50 foot, 1 ton beast as an amphibious, electromechanical serpent machine meant to provoke discussions of our changing climate and energy use in a historical context. This giant electromechanical reincarnation will roam the earth terrifying and enlightening those who dare to ride the snake along the razor’s edge between hope and fear and contemplate the future of our planet.
The Titanoboa project is an exercise in alternative forms of propulsion and power applications in transport. The purpose is to showcase this experiment by harnessing and enlarging the mesmerizing movement of the snake. The huge serpent has undeniable appeal as a surreal mechanical beast that moves in a seemingly magical way over land and will glide stealthily through the water. One or more participants will eventually interact with the piece by riding it or for the more ambitious, driving it. The complex control needed to properly move hundreds of individual parts will necessitate a skilled operator who has taken time to become at one with the serpent.
Finally, the Titanoboa project attempts to create an environment through its design and construction that facilitates technical learning on relevant technologies. Student involvement is actively sought in the design and manufacturing with the hopes of luring young minds into the exciting world of engineered kinetic sculpture while exploring implications of climate change and electric vehicle power systems. Several student projects were completed and continue in the areas of robotics, controls, and mechanical design.
Initial construction took place during the summer months of 2011 and the machine continues to be developed.
Check out our media page to see videos of Titanoboa in action!
Wanna get involved? Get in touch!
For more technical detail go here
Made possible in part by:
The Sharon Park Foundation for Tolerance
ETH Zurich - Institute for Dynamic and Control
UBC Engineering Physics & Project Lab
A special thanks to our generous donors to the online Kickstarter campaign!
Titanoboa Top Level Sponsors:
George Mueller, Esme Watts, Sande Waters.
Python Sponsors:
Dillard Brinson, Paul Park, RuMar.
Boa Constrictor Sponsors:
Nathan Kingston.
King Cobra Sponsors:
George Dang.
Black Mamba Sponsors:
Leigh Christie, Monica, Steph Santiago, Adam Goldsmith, Eliza Boyce, Dallyn, Duane Elverum, Justin Lemire-Elmore, Dan Anderson.
Rattlesnake Sponsors:
Sharon Park, Polly Tan, Kate Semrau, dotti, connie goldie, Tiahaar Kurtheru, Emily Hamilton, Clairmont Faille, Darren Grant, Stella Li, Gary Yurkovich, Claude Lahaye.
Indigo Snake Sponsors:
Antonio, Gil Forrester, John Willett, Bryan Korenberg, Jay Lewis, Peter, Markus Hager, Vince C, Joe Geluch, Kirsten McGhie.
Southwestern Blackhead Snake Sponsors:
Josh, Thom Heavey, Treva Blunt, Peter Hudson, David Nelson, Paul Russell, Alexander Williams, Ed Kilduff, Eesmyal Santos-Brault.
New Mexico Milk Snake Sponsors:
Jimmy Koo, Brad Sieber, Tony Barulic, Lian Anson, Nelda Barchers, Michael Jacob, Reg Holmes, Edward Goh.
Water Snake Sponsors:
Filipa Aresta, Megan Harkness, Janis Di Certo, Rodney Gitzel, Curtis Perrin, Rebecca Kordas, Veronica Rightmyer, Daniel Busby.
Garter Snake Sponsors:
Stacey Hagerty, Justin Corwin, Benedikt Hesse, Sarah, Kjell Sadowski.
Mystery Sponsors:
Kirsten Bailey, Ryan P, Bong Lim, Chris Goodchild, Megan Harkness, Jay Lewis, Janis Di Certo, Tony Barulic, Amy I, Nelda Barchers, Marcus Rosenthal, Stefan Storey, Christina, Kat Kolar, Paul Teehan, Christine, Ed Kilduff, Jane Hwang, Therese, ckrueger
