SWARM is an art project consisting of 6 autonomous spherical robots, which are guided by GPS and inertial sensors to create motion evocative of swarming behavior in nature. SWARM was originated by Ideal Mechanism principal Michael Prados, who did the majority of the mechanical design and control systems design. Along with a collaborative […]

Calling upon years of expertise with advanced touch screen functionality, Ideal Mechanism prepared a technical report on the state-of-the-art in touch screen technology as a guide to future research at the Volkswagen ERL.

In order to improve the functionality of the Volkswagen Electronics Research Laboratories state of the art vehicle simulator cockpit, Ideal Mechanism designed an electronic and mechanical interface to integrate an OEM-style shifter and steering wheel.

LED Wheels is developing a wheel based display to allow drivers to personalize their vehicles with active content and to enable mobile advertising. Ideal Mechanism developed a wheel-based power system for the display which avoids costly modifications to the vehicle electrical system, and designed a persistence-of-vision based display system to provide high resolution while […]

The Serpent Mother is a large scale kinetic fire sculpture built by the Flaming Lotus Girls, a San Francisco based art group. Ideal Mechanism principal Michael Prados was primarily responsible for the 5 degree of freedom, hydraulically actuated head and neck, and for the geometry of the 160 foot long, complexly curved spine.