Le Pinch Wind Up Robot

The new windup, Le Pinch was designed in collaboration between Chico Bicalho and Isabella Torquato. The concept was discussed, and based on the movement of the inchworm, back in early 2006. In order to illustrate the movement, and idea of a mechanized inchworm, an animation was created using a 3d modeling program, and sent to the factory, in order for research to begin. To orchestrate the alternating movement, and articulated pivoting of Le Pinch’s gearbox, was no easy task. More than one hundred prototypes were designed, and produced between 2006 and 2007, but only towards the end, they began to make sense, and to move properly. The end result was Le Pinch, a fascinating little wind up which does in fact simulate an inchworm. It slowly inches its way across surfaces, propelled by the exposed gears and motors, which glow in the dark! Le Pinch can clear small obstacles in its path, and is a blast to watch. Its elegant design makes it an excellent desk toy for adults, and a fun diversion for kids.

This product was designed by Chico Bicalho. Chico was born in Rio de Janeiro and studied at an elementary school where the football field had trees throughout, because the school was against cutting them down. Later he moved to Petropolis, RJ, an area surrounded by the South Atlantic tropical rainforest. Since 1995 he has been working with a group of friends on reforestation projects replanting native South Atlantic tropical rain forest trees.

Features:

• The culmination of two years of work and 100 prototypes
• Accurately simulates inchworm movement
• Exposed gears and motors glow in the dark
• Can clear small obstacles