Science fiction constructs...

[Robert Walper]

So I was flipping around my ESB DVD, and watching the good ole Hoth battle with the famous Imperial AT-ATs.

So the question came to mind, could such a vehicle actually be constructed? I'm not talking futuristic blasters or futuristic armor, but basically a four legged walker (looking as close as possible to the original concept) that, for all intents and purposes, works.

Importantly, the walker would have to be to scale and capable of moving the 'head' portion. Basically the goal would be to make a full scale model that moves and acts as close as possible to the movie portrayal of said vehicle.

So what kind of cost would you expect such a vehicle to entail resources and engineering wise? Could it be done?

And for that matter, what other science fiction vehicles or concepts do you think would be quite impressive (but possible) to build with modern day technology? For example, another idea I've floated about was building a Enterprise D shaped airship...to scale. Wouldn't that be a sight to see!

[Ra]

It would indeed be possible to build a mech-like machine with modern hydraulic tech; I'm just not sure if one on the sheer scale of the AT-AT would be possible, however, though I'm gonna go out on a limb and say yes until someone with better knowledge on the subject disagrees.

[Dark Silver]

The Walker, I doubt we'd be able to build, even to house a single man, besides, it'd be easier to build a wheeled vehicle than a walker style one.

[Robert Walper]

It would indeed be possible to build a mech-like machine with modern hydraulic tech; I'm just not sure if one on the sheer scale of the AT-AT would be possible, however, though I'm gonna go out on a limb and say yes until someone with better knowledge on the subject disagrees.

I suspect yes myself, but I lack the engineering and physics understanding to claim it's possible or not.

I would dare say the ability to make a four legged walker is given. We can make advanced bipedal machines now...a four legged one should be significantly more stable to build.

It's the scale that's definitely the issue, and the one aspect I'm not certain about.

[SirNitram]

Could we build them, as in make them look the same? Almost definately, eventually. They would, however, be unstable as shit.

[The Silence and I]

A walker the sheer size of the AT AT with modern materials? Eh, maybe? I'd really question its mobility--the torques and forces around those joints when its moving will be insane. Remember, it's 15 meters tall Instability from high center of gravity and general uselessness aside, I'm not sure we could get one to walk under its own power at anything approaching speed. From what I recall the ankles are flimsy, and the limbs are very thin. They would have to be nearly solid to prevent buckling under impact/twisting and bending under lateral forces (i.e. the ground HAS to be FLAT).

Of course without calculations I am not prepared to make right now I cannot say with certainty, but I suspect it is too heavy, and more importantly too tall.

Give us a few decades of materials improvements and sure, but now? Eh..

[Elheru Aran]

Could we build an AT-AT? Yeah, sure. Can we make it move? Now hold on there...

You get the idea. Most sci-fi stuff is like that, really; we can make something that *looks* like it, but otherwise, no go.

[Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman]

A walker the sheer size of the AT AT with modern materials? Eh, maybe? I'd really question its mobility--the torques and forces around those joints when its moving will be insane. Remember, it's 15 meters tall

A little bit nitpick, but judging from Luke's height when he was climbing to the belly of an AT-AT, it is actually 30 meters tall, which is, unfortunately, doesn't make the thing easier to built (volume and mass increase in cubic as length increases).

By the way, where's the "stomp Kreshna's testicles" poll options?

[The Silence and I]

Crap. I couldn't remember if it was 15 or 30....

I'm not a supporter of the incorrect EU numbers, really!!

But yes, that more than doubles (in fact try makes it 8 times worse) the problem.

[Robert Walper]

Any takers on how big we could make a 'practical' AT-AT?

[Elheru Aran]

Any takers on how big we could make a 'practical' AT-AT?

Define 'practical'.

[Robert Walper]

Any takers on how big we could make a 'practical' AT-AT?

Define 'practical'.

Capable of walking on four legs at a respectable speed (ratio wise comparable to the speed seen in ESB) and moving the head (again, comparable to ESB portrayal).

[frigidmagi]

Few questions on that Walper.

1: How much weight does it have to carry?

2: Does it have to be an all terran vehicle?

3: How many crewmen if any should it have?

[Robert Walper]

Few questions on that Walper.

1: How much weight does it have to carry?

I'd say this is extremely flexible, inlcuding the 'virtually none' option. The perspective I'm viewing this 'project' in would be 'completely for show'.

2: Does it have to be an all terran vehicle?

I'd say at least some flexibility in types of terrain. Ideally being just for show, it should be capable of walking on virtually all 'normal' flat terrain. No expectations of climbing significant hills or anything, although the more versatility the better.

3: How many crewmen if any should it have?

I'd say that should be solely dictated by how many are required to run it, although again, ideally as a show piece, perhaps a few passengers as well for the purpose of entertainment.

But I see no reason to dismiss complete automation (or more likely remote control), seeing as the 'vehicle' would be a show piece for entertainment value only.

[Elheru Aran]

Well, we could make something pretty big that could probably take a few steps before falling over.... aside from that, squat out of luck.