13yo "Spider Boy" scales walls using recycled vacuums

http://inhabitat.com/2010/07/01/13-year-old-spider-boy-scales-walls-using-recycled-vacuums/

64 21 16 years ago

Matti• 16 years ago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1qoINo2MPM

dc2k08• 16 years ago

footage and interview with boy who references that show: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10458134....

paulnelligan• 16 years ago

could be a money spinner if he got sponsored by a vacuum cleaner company for their next ad...

mkramlich2• 16 years ago

imagine this kid being sponsored by James Dyson the inventor behind the cyclone-based vacuum company.

r3570r3• 16 years ago

This has been done earlier, but not by a 13 year old boy!

ck22• 16 years ago

I think people are missing the point, it's not the invention itself, it's how a 13 year old kid made his imagination into reality (instead of, for example, playing video games all day).

Just imagine what they can do at 20 with the right encouragement.

amichail• 16 years ago

Video games can encourage imaginative thinking.

Check out Scribblenauts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh65m-3o1co

RiderOfGiraffes• 16 years ago

Yes, but video games don't necessarily encourage going out and actually doing something, as opposed to just imagining it. Not to say imagination isn't important, but imagination without action is definitely not first best.

ck22• 16 years ago

It probably depends on the kid/environment.

My first attempt at programming was to write Breakout in Basic, so video games can inspire I guess (this was longer ago than I care to disclose).

But today's video games are so advanced I get the impression kids wouldn't even bother to try to write their own game because it wouldn't compare to their experience.

fuelfive2• 16 years ago

My first major project was also a videogame. I made it almost ten years ago, and I still get fanmail about it once a month. I think creative people will create.

http://marathonrubicon.com/

wesley• 16 years ago

He got the idea from a TV show.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1qoINo2MPM

Groxx2• 16 years ago

Eh, there have been vacuum-based wall-climbers for far longer than 1 year. I remember seeing robotic ones built by high school students at least a decade ago.

thefool• 16 years ago

He clearly didn't do that all by himself though.

It looks like there is some machining on there that he probably had his dad or dad's friend do.

Doesn't make it less cool though.

noonespecial• 16 years ago

Then he's on the right track. If you do all of the fabrication for your prototype yourself, you are probably doing it wrong.

daleharvey• 16 years ago

I was confused at how he had enough body strength to hold on to the wall with one hand and only slight foot holds, but then I seen the foot holds coming down from the suction pad things.

doesnt really matter if he got some help, kid has a bright future.

mkramlich2• 16 years ago

someone call Dean Kamen and Elon Musk, stat!

but seriously, let's make sure that kid gets good mentors. has talent and could do brilliant things in the future if he stays on the right path. (up the frickin wall)

nailer• 16 years ago

Anyone know how it seals? This is the part I admire - brickwork is porous so it may be difficult to attach to.

13yo "Spider Boy" scales walls using recycled vacuums

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