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Arduino hack imitates Pixar's living lamp, disses IKEA in the process (video)
Oh, look -- it's Pixar's iconic lamp brought to real-world Frankenlife. Okay, not really, but the automated, voice-enabled mod is as close to the movie studio's icon as a hacking kit and five euros in a Swedish furniture store can get you. The prototype, lovingly named "The annoying IKEA lamp" or SM-1, is ArduinoArts' finalist entry for SeeedStudio's Grove Toy Kit contest. Headed by industrial engineer Javier Lander, the project weds two servos (one in the base and one in the lamp), sensors for motion and sound, a three axis accelerometer, LED light and audio board to an Arduino shield, springing the modjob to programmed states of alarm and irritation. We commend Javier for eschewing the cutesy road well-traveled, and giving the mundane desktop light a grumpy, old man makeover. Click on past the break to see this curmudgeonly home office accessory in action. [Thanks, Javier]
Seeeduino ADK lets you build Android accessories on the cheap
Not interested in forking over the $400 required for one of Google's recommended Android Open Accessory development kits? Well, then it looks like you now have another considerably cheaper option courtesy of Shenzhen's own Seeed Studio. It's now offering what it's dubbed a "Seeeduino ADK" board for a mere $80, which it says is fully compatible with Google's ADK, and includes all the basics you need to start building your own Android accessories. You won't be able to start building those just yet, however, as Seeed Studio says the board will only start shipping on June 20th. You can still get your order in right now at the link below, though. [Thanks, Ian] Update: Not surprisingly, this won't be the only low-cost option. We've already seen some DIY alternatives at the Maker Fair this past weekend that could well result in even more affordable ADK-compatible boards popping up.
Seeeduino Film is just the thing for all your flexible Arduino needs
The Arduino microcontroller: fuel for so many delightfully geeky projects. Your wacky instruments and DIY 'less lethal' weapons will be getting a lot 'looser' soon, thanks to Seeed Studio and it's Arduino compatible flexible printed circuit (FPC) board. Unlike most circuit boards, the insulating material in an FPC is -- wait for it -- flexible (hence the name). Featuring a fully functional Atmega 168 / 328 breakout, USB-Serial interface, a built-in charger circuit, and more, the Seeeduino Film only exists in prototype form at the moment. That said, the company said that it is making several units available "for community inspiration." Hop on over to the source link to get in on the ground floor.
