D Murphy wrote:

My kid is old enough so that when he was of the Lego
age, Legos didn't have electric motors and the like. I wonder how it's
programmed?

With software? I know this answer is stupid, but what did you want to
hear? There was a link (somewhere one the page I mentioned) that
describes the math behind it (I didn't read, but I bookmarked the page).
This is a software-approach. Make the mechanics simple, stiff and
flexible (no contradiction here!). Solve all the other problems
(kinematics) with software. No problem at all nowadays.

BTW:
Do you have Fischer Technik (in the USA)? The pictures you made would
suggest to make the mechanics with Fischer Technik (the ones that make
the plastic dovels). It's more like Lego on steroids for us mechanics.

Nick
--
Motor Modelle // Engine Models
http://www.motor-manufaktur.de