The 3D Printed Brooklyn Bridge Robot is Alive!

Back in September, when former MakerBot CEO Bre Pettis moved on to launch Bold Machines – The Innovation Workshop at Stratasys, the first project that was announced was a feature film called “Margo“. They had worked with talented artist Jose Alves da Silva to create the characters for the film, as well, in 3D printable form for those at home who wished to print them out themselves. It was a whole new spin that Bold Machines was electing to take on movie production, by creating the merchandise for the film prior to a movie even being created.  Looking back on this, it’s nothing out of the ordinary for Bold Machines, a group which has aimed to defy convention even since they launched into existence. Up until this point, six different characters from ‘Margo’ have been released  and made available for anyone to download and 3D print for free.

Today, Bold Machines announces the release of yet another character, one which most certainly is one of our favorites.

“We have a few of these models left to post including the Brooklyn Bridge Robot that we present to you today, Robert Steiner, General Manager of Bold Machines tells 3DPrint.com. “The Brooklyn Bridge Robot is hidden away inside a secret lab at the corner of Water & New Dock Street near the waterfront. The lab uses massive batteries to charge the robot via electrical cables from the bridge installed during World War II. The robot is controlled by Margo’s scooter – which she can drive into the base of the robot. It is a friendly robot – designed to assist in research and heavy rescue.”

Steiner, and the rest of the team at Bold Machines used a MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D printer in order to print out all of the individual pieces that make up this incredibly detailed robot. In all, there are over 30 separate parts that need to be printed and then assembled. For assembly, the team used Zap-a-Gap CA Glue to hold the parts together, prior to painting the robot with Tamiya Flat Acrylic paint. As you can see in the photos provided, the Brooklyn Bridge Robot seems ready for action.  The only question that remains is, “are you?”.

3D printing has increasingly been used for creating more and more elaborate models over the course of the past year or so.  We’ve gone from a technology that was merely a means for prototyping, to one which has allowed artists and innovators to bring their creations to life like never before.

What’s your opinion on some of these amazing projects that Bold Machines has been a part of?  Have you printed out any of the ‘Margo’ characters yet?  We’d love to see them.  Discuss in the Bold Machines forum thread on 3DPB.com.