First Walking House in the World
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Neighbors getting you down, or you’re simply tired of the same old scenery when you gaze out your front window? Well a group of ingenious engineers have the ultimate answer. Meet the world’s first walking house — a home built on 6 hydraulic legs that can walk up to 200 feet (60 meters) per hour — ideal for the nomadic spirit in you.
Photo SWNS
No need to rely on utility mains — the unit is solar and wind powered and fully sustainable to save you from money-grubbing utility suppliers. Could this be the answer to the doom-and-gloom recession so many fear?
The 11.5 foot (3.5 meter) high and wide house comes complete with a living room, kitchen, composting toilet, bed, wood stove, and mainframe computer which controls the legs, housing up to 4 people. The pod weighs a mere 2640 pounds (1200 kilos).
Furniture is an integrated part of the structure, and the rear of the modules opens up to form a stair that functions as an entrance.
Photo SWNS
There is a system for collecting rain water, while another provides solar heated hot water. A small greenhouse unit can be added to provide a substantial part of the food one would need.
This black, pod-like modular dwelling system can allegedly stroll around at the walking pace of a human and can cross all terrains.
Kitchen, toilet and main computer. Photo SWNS
Since the walking house is not dependant on existing infrastructure like roads, it can move slowly through the landscape or cityscape with minimal impact on the environment.
Each leg is powered and works independently, and designed to always have 3 on the ground at all times to ensure stability.
Makers hope the legs could be eventually mounted on any kind of structure and make it walk. Several pods could be linked together for larger houses, and even communities as an entire walking village.
Walking Collective. Photo N55 Walking Manual
The walking house will take its maiden journey for a stroll around rural Cambridgeshire at the Wysing Arts Centre in Bourn on Thursday.
Built by the art collective N55 in Copenhagen, Denmark, who worked in conjunction with engineers at MIT in Massachusetts, US, they say it provides a solution to the problem of rising water levels in Britain, as the house can simply walk away from floods.
Artists in the N55 collective include Ion Sorvin and Oivind Slaatto, and Sam Kronick from MIT designed the legs.
“This is far more than a caravan. It’s all about sustainable living — it can sustain a life for many years.” said Helen Robinson of the Wysing Arts Centre. “It may seem radical but it could be a solution to land use in the near future.”
The prototype cost around $49,000 US (£30,000) to build, but the designers believe it could be constructed for much less than that.
“For this to be a plausible alternative it would have to come down in price.” Helen said. “After all it is neither a mansion or a gimmick. It is a recognizable alternative for people on a low income.”
Bed and Woodstove. Photo N55 Walking Manual
Oivind Slaatto has been working on this project for 2 years and intends to live in the house when it returns to Copenhagen. The designer says he was inspired for this creation by his meetings with Romani travelers in Cambridgeshire.
The traditional Romani horse powered carriages from the 18th century were covered by textiles or wood, and the inner walls were frequently covered with wool for insulation. The furniture was designed to take up as little space as possible.
Slaatto used this tradition to inspire the new design, using some of the technological advantages of modern society.
“This house is not just for travelers but also for anyone interested in a more general way of nomadic living.” he said.
Visit their website to learn more.
N55 Walking House First Steps
Sources: Telegraph and Daily Mail
Tags:alternative energy architecture bizarre environment odd science unusual walking house
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wow! Great idea!
But I wonder if people outside is safe enough. And what kind of licence it should get to walk on the street!
Still love it!
Having moved across continents a few times and lived in four town in the past two and a half years I think this would be the perfect solution for someone like myself
Never more change of address, tv license etc. just looks fantastic! Wonder if you can get a mortgage for this kind of dwelling…
amazing..
wonderfull.,
i like it,,
try this for u`r house,,
Hehe, good one about the license, iWalk
That’s a good question about being able to mortgage something like this, Bedard. Regular financing would be very costly in interest rates.
wow that’s wicked! I wish it could walk faster though, maybe break into a run
that is very cool. How much to get one?
I’d hate to see something of its size capable of breaking into a full running pace Manitz
As mentioned in this post MBRE, “The prototype cost around $49,000 US (£30,000) to build, but the designers believe it could be constructed for much less than that.”
The post-apocalypse would be pretty sweet if there were roaming hoards of these walking houses looking for fresh supplies!
Not too sturdy looking of a structure. No side windows, and it appears that the walls, floor, and ceiling are very thin. Although it does show a wood burner, it doesn’t mention how efficient the “home” would be in retaining the heat. Is it equiped with an air conditioning unit? Can the windows be opened? It’s not very comfortable looking considering it doesn’t seem to be too much bigger than a full sized pick-up truck. I’d hate to be in this thing if a bad storm or tornado came alone. Welcome to the world of the Pod People!
I think that’s a great invention, because it’s a step forward in technology of housing. Thats the way you could move from town to town, and change simply the city you live. But I must agree with Rick, that this “walking house” doesn’t look very comfortable, and there are not many differences between a trailer and this walking house. Another problem will be, that you won’t get a licence to walk on the street with that house, and it’s really slow. And it seems not to be save, if there is a storm or a tornado. Many security updates have to be done on this walking house, before they could sell it.
For now, that’s a great invention for the future, but at the moment, I wouldn’t buy such a walking house.
Rick and Amanda, you definitely bring up excellent points. Not that I’m defending the design in any way, but this is a prototype, which is typically what is used to base improvements upon and to establish public reaction and opinion.
It is not comfortable to live there. But the idea is unique
Howl’s Moving Castle minus calcifer. Very cool.
It is a pretty cool concept, Carriann, even if it does have some deficiencies at the time being
I think a motorhome is better, but this article does make one think, if thats the future of houses in the cities, im moving to the country
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[...] First Walking House in the World [...]
It’s very cool..great idea and creativity… go on guys make any new stuff again.
A great concept in modern day living. Not sure that all the family will fit in. Have to contruct a larger version
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