Yeah, that does look nice.

I might be able to help with the rigging problems - I'm good with machine one. I've built expanding joints, know how to make joints do full flips, among other things.

Regardless, I'd like a closer look at your model (I'll admit, I want a copy of the model itself). I'm trying to figure out how to make these kinds of things (So far all I have is beetles out of spheres - but its completely mechanically correct).