Action origami is a field of origami dealing with models that are folded so that in their final, deployed state they exhibit motion. Hundreds of action origami models exist, many of which use complicated kinematics to achieve motion in their deployed state. Understanding the kinematics of action origami could result in a new source of concepts for deployable, movable engineering solutions. This paper presents an approach for evaluating and classifying the mechanisms that enable action origami motion. Approximately 300 action origami models are studied. Although disguised with artistic elements, it is found that most action origami models are based on a few fundamental mechanisms. A classification scheme is proposed, and a previously unused class of action origami is identified as an area for future origami art.

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