TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is an invitation-only event where the world's leading thinkers and doers gather to find inspiration.

 Here's what Dutch artist Theo Jansen put forth at this years TED

(from the release)

Bio:
Dutch artist Theo Jansen has been working for 16 years to create
sculptures that move on their own in eerily lifelike ways. Each
generation of his "Strandbeests" is subject to the forces of
evolution, with successful forms moving forward into new designs.
Jansen's vision and long-term commitment to his wooden menagerie is
as fascinating to observe as the beasts themselves.
His newest creatures walk without assistance on the beaches of
Holland, powered by wind, captured by gossamer wings that flap and
pump air into old lemonade bottles that in turn power the creatures'
many plastic spindly legs. The walking sculptures look alive as they
move, each leg articulating in such a way that the body is steady and
level. They even incorporate primitive logic gates that are used to
reverse the machine's direction if it senses dangerous water or loose
sand where it might get stuck.