Theo Jansen’s Wind-Powered Sculptures | The New Yorker
Why Worldbuilding Stack Exchange recommends it
Worldbuilding Stack Exchange answerers point people to it as a real-world example of wind-driven walking machines when asked about wind-powered creatures or vehicles that travel without wheels.
Recommended by 1 people across 1 different months, 2016 to 2023.
What it is
A 2-minute New Yorker short on Dutch artist Theo Jansen and his Strandbeests, large skeletal sculptures that walk along the beach powered only by wind. It shows the creatures in motion and gives a brief look at how Jansen builds and thinks about them.
What people said
Recommends Nuloen The Seeker · 2017-11 · Worldbuilding Stack Exchange · on “How would a lifeform absorb energy from wind?”
First of, there is no wind or sea current without differences in temperature, so you will probably need magic. Also I don't know if using the wind as a primary energy source is necessary, so I will assume it is not. There are many possibilities how to make these creatures work. But only a limited number that I can think of. Possible energy sources are: minerals to chemicals to energy (chemical reactions) radiation (creatures would use some other form of radiation that is available) parasite (steals energy from others) mechanical force (this is in the realm of fantasy, I don't think this could ever work) EDIT: I was wrong! Here is how wind powered creature could work [this video] Some not very ori
Cites Cyrus · 2016-03 · Worldbuilding Stack Exchange · on “Vehicle-based desert travel without tracks or wheels?”
If you eliminate wheels, that leaves you with either skids, legs or hovering. Skids This option would include actual flat-bottomed boat hulls, catamaran like double or triple hulls and very wide and flat ski-like skids. The advantage of course is that it's very cool and like your desired sailing ship idea. The major problems would be rocky/rough terrain and the very high friction, meaning you would need storm-like winds or unobtainium-plated friction-less surfaces to even get moving. I'd suggest using the skin of the enormous worms that live in the deep sands, but that's already been done... Legs Not just a few legs, but dozens and dozens of legs. Enough to make the crystal spider creatures
Cites Martin · 2023-03 · Worldbuilding Stack Exchange · on “Long distance travel by non-motorised rolling vehicles”
If you want to use water to move goods up and down mountains then barges and locks [LINK] are your best bet. This is 10th century technology, it just requires digging, water, and simple boats. There are already connecting rivers across your desert too. If the "deserts" are salt flats, then you could use land yachts [LINK] but for anything remotely desert like that wont work. I think it would be awesome to think they got some of these sand walkers [this video] to work for transporting goods on rougher terrain, but I suspect they are way too fragile and are barely able to move themselves let alone take a load.