Robotics enthusiasts are probably familiar with Nitinol: an
alloy that “remembers” its shape when heated electrically. It’s the
basis of the notorious”Stiquito” robots, which weigh mere ounces
and get around on their own power. This LinuxFocus article shows
how to build a Nitonol-based robot which, unlike the Stiquito, gets
its marching orders via your Linux machine’s parallel port.
The parts in the article are available from most electronic
hobby shops, and you’ll want some patience and need some soldering
iron skill to complete this project: it’s a little harder than a
Mindstorm set.