Theo Jansen is an artist and kinetic sculptor living and working in Holland.
He studied science at the University of Delft Holland.

Jansen is evolving an entirely new line of animals: immense multi-legged walking critters designed to roam the Dutch coastline, feeding on gusts of wind. Over the years, successive generations of his creatures have evolved into increasingly complex animals that walk by flapping wings in response to the wind

His animals have legs, muscles (pneumatic pistons within the plastic tubing), stomachs (plastic bottles for storing air), and nerves (collections of on/off values that work pretty much like logic gates).

Interview with Theo Jansen
Wired article
http://www.kottke.org/05/05/theo-jansen-beach-animals

Video :
Animaris Rhinoceros transport
BMW commercial!

Beautiful and amazing cross between art, science and (low!)technology. I also like that his work is kind of “culturally incorrect”; probably now too famous, too “grand public” and even “sold to big business”!