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PHOTOS: Cupcake Cars, Giant Steel Crabs and Lots of DIY at Maker Faire

Tara SilerRyan Levi
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The 13-foot steel crab-like 'prothesis' is controlled by the pilot and their four limbs. "There’s nothing to help the pilot balance," says Sam Carter, who helped make the prothesis, meaning if the pilot messes up, they can face-plant the four ton contraption. (Tara Siler/KQED)

Everyone has that friend that's always taking things apart and putting them back together or tinkering with some new invention, and those of us in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley probably have a lot of those friends.

These are the people Maker Faire is made for.

Described on its website as, "part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new," the 3-day event began in the Bay Area in 2006 and has since spread around the world. The Bay Area event remains one of the largest, and this weekend techies and tinkerers of all ages came together at the San Mateo Event Center to show off what they made.

The Berkeley High School Robotics Team shows off part of their solar-powered racing robot. “It’s basically like a three wheel designed to get aerodynamic so it can go very quickly in the race field and beat the other robots,“ said team member Cecilia Estrada.
The Berkeley High School Robotics Team shows off part of their solar-powered racing robot. “It’s basically like a three wheel designed to get aerodynamic so it can go very quickly in the race field and beat the other robots,“ said team member Cecilia Estrada. (Tara Siler/KQED)
The 'Rabid Transit,' which can shoot flames, was one of the many creations on display at Maker Faire Bay Area.
The 'Rabid Transit,' which can shoot flames, was one of the many creations on display at Maker Faire Bay Area. (Tara Siler/KQED)
Makers of all ages work at the soldering table at the Maker Faire. The space allowed people of all ages to learn how to solder a battery and LED light to make a flashing button.
Makers of all ages work at the soldering table at the Maker Faire. The space allowed people of all ages to learn how to solder a battery and LED light to make a flashing button. (Tara Siler/KQED)
Jaime Goodrich, head tinkerer of Tinkerdrop, stands beside the back of her DIY trailer, complete with a full kitchen. She was selling kits that would allow anyone to make their own live-in trailer.
Jaime Goodrich, head tinkerer of Tinkerdrop, stands beside the back of her DIY trailer, complete with a full kitchen. She was selling kits that would allow anyone to make their own live-in trailer. (Tara Siler/KQED)
A young maker lounges inside a Tinkerdrop trailer in the tiny homes display area. The trailer weighs 450 lbs. and the DIY kit is made from aluminum, foam and PVC. Kits are flat packed and the customer can assemble them in the driveway.
A young maker lounges inside a Tinkerdrop trailer in the tiny homes display area. The trailer weighs 450 lbs. and the DIY kit is made from aluminum, foam and PVC. Kits are flat packed and the customer can assemble them in the driveway. (Tara Siler/KQED)
Sweet ride! Two of many cupcake cars that were on display at the Maker Faire. According to maker Benjamin Griffin, the original cars were built for Burning Man, but now they make appearances at Maker Faire and parades.
Sweet ride! Two of many cupcake cars that were on display at the Maker Faire. According to maker Benjamin Griffin, the original cars were built for Burning Man, but now they make appearances at Maker Faire and parades. (Tara Siler/KQED)
One of the makers shows 6-year-old Aiden Runquist of Santa Rosa his Dalek, a monster character from the television series 'Doctor Who.' The Dalek made noises at lit up leading Runquist to ask, 'Oh so when it gets mad it does that?'
One of the makers shows 6-year-old Aiden Runquist of Santa Rosa his Dalek, a monster character from the television series 'Doctor Who.' The Dalek made noises at lit up leading Runquist to ask, 'Oh so when it gets mad it does that?' (Tara Siler/KQED)

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