BPM-101

2015 | 18 x 24 cm
IN A PRIVATE COLLECTION

Mixed media painting by Lennart Pihl. Drawn on paper with graphite, various markers, pens and water colors.

The “BPM-101” was drawn as concept art for the fictional universe called “Sentient” that Lennart Pihl has been generating since 2009. The mech was first made out of playdough and then drawn up. Unfortunately, no images of the tiny sculpture remain.

A small number of reproductions were made and framed of the painting “BPM-101” and sold, because the artist would not sell the original.

“Sentient: BiPedal Mech Model 101

The BPM series began as worker drones, heavy lifters for frontline construction and other dangerous missions. Piloted versions were made later as the threat of hacking became imminent.

The SteelCoffin piloting capsule was a welcome upgrade which prevented hacking and made this one man operated beast a friend indeed. These models became valuable because of their resistance to hostile takeovers, but pilots were extremely rare. They had to have certain...traits, to run into battle enclosed in a box, with rockets for hands.

Model 101 was a bit different from other similar battle walkers for it could spring up its legs and jump over another one of its kind. BPM-101, also known as the Ostrich for it's great speed and no flight capacity, was a medium class scout walker

Fresh ones out of the factory were armed with two Rottmann-X16 missile packs and just a few of these beasts could provide excellent ground support, but in warmer climates. This was due to the type of elastic materials used in the joints which unfortunately tended to give way when stressed below zero temperatures.

The Ostrich used a legacy GreenBox Biometrics signal encoder to emit data and communicate with the outside world. A sample of the pilot's blood was used to encrypt and decipher messages. This was so effective that not only were model 101’s first to get targeted in combat but more specifically the GreenBox modules on them because ground troops tended to sync everything through the lightly armored tower not to get intercepted by the enemy.”