USB AirSoft turret mows down unsuspecting office mates

Where else but the good ole US of A would we revel in crafting items that not only utilized that oh-so-lonely USB port on the rear of your leased laptop, but had the potential to "deliver welts" to unsuspecting co-workers? While the pre-packaged USB missile launchers are quite the novel desk adornment, this DIY job seriously brings the heat (and the pain). While the modder responsible here envisions a more robust, costly, and dangerous version in the future, his 1.0 edition features a $19 electronic AirSoft gun, the turret base from an aforementioned USB missile launcher, super glue, and the usual compliment of assembly tools. After disassembling the launcher and tapping into its base, a bit of fancy wire work is required to affix the more powerful AirSoft gun to the rotating turret. A few more screws and finagling, and you're all set to demolish the fun at your annual holiday bash, all for just around $70 and a few hours of your time. So if you couldn't handle boot camp, but still have a passion for mechanical sentries, be sure to hit the read link for the full skinny.

[Via HackADay]

[Adam @ Dec 11th 2006 12:45PM]

I'm ready to see one that has a built-in webcam so that you can aim and target around the corner without giving yourself away.

[Darren @ Dec 11th 2006 1:01PM]

Sorry about that, HTML went wonky. We're working on it.

[wirelessdeo @ Dec 11th 2006 1:13PM]

"You'll shot your eye out"

[Skorn @ Dec 11th 2006 3:16PM]

As a keen airsofter myself, I might add that without eye protection, this thing could blind someone. not work safe if you ask me.

[fgdfgdfdfgdfg @ Dec 11th 2006 4:24PM]

Yahoo. I want a USB nuclear silo, please.

[Dave Pevsner @ Dec 11th 2006 6:54PM]

it's only good if you wire the trigger of the gun to the launching mechanism of the rocket launcher. then, you can completely control it with your computer.

and yeah, a built in webcam would be awesome, but a good DIY solution is to attach the CCD from a webcam to the front of the gun, run wires from the CCD to the spot in the webcam where it was once soldered down, and use the regular webcam software. the webcam software will display whatever's in front of the gun, since the CCD's attached to it, and moving the gun will also move the CCD.

[haasta @ Dec 11th 2006 8:27PM]

now if i could just interface it with our laser tag system for our office events...

>:)

[unicore @ Dec 27th 2006 9:37PM]

I believe he did wire the trigger to the launching mechanism. Notice the lack of trigger.

[Kaiser @ Feb 24th 2007 11:00AM]

Oh god I need it!