Hi: I discover recently these videos on youtube. There a quite unusual mechanisms and controls. I look for someone who can tell me more about these types of puppets, and how to build it. You can have a closer look on:

Well they are table top rod puppets.  I've seen the video's before.  Can't remember the name of the puppeteer off the top of my head but the mechs are his design and are kind of unique although based on the basics of rod puppet construction.