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arduino posts

OTTO slices beats, has no effect on tin cans

by Joseph L. Flatley, posted Jun 30th 2009 at 4:40PM

Electronic musicians are always looking for new ways to do the same old things. Case in point: OTTO, developed by Luca De Rosso at the IUAV University of Venice for a master's thesis. Based on an Arduino and Cycling '74's Max / MSP software, you can drop an audio loop in it (via USB) and manipulate it in real time by moving your hands around the touch surface. Sure we've heard these kind of edits before, but never on a device that somewhat resembles the old Simon memory game. That has to count for something, right? Suffice it to say: we want one. Be sure to check it in action after the break.

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Video: Katamari controller hack for PS2

by Joseph L. Flatley, posted May 25th 2009 at 2:39PM

What better way to remember all of those people who died when the moon and the stars were destroyed by the King of All Cosmos than a Memorial Day game of Katamari? Rather than continue to half-ass it with her PlayStation controller, hackster and NYC Resistor member Kellbot has put together a real life spherical controller, utilizing such items as a large mirror ball (sadly, the Yoga ball proved too pliable to roll on the ball bearings), a mouse, a gutted PS2 controller, a digital pot, and -- of course -- the world famous Arduino. Interested in building your own? Hit that read link to get all the details, but not before you peep the video after the break.

[Via Hack A Day]

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Snoozy the Sloth is a breathing, napping toy after our own hearts

by Laura June, posted May 20th 2009 at 12:45PM

You know what would have been awesome to have as a toy when we were growing up? Not a baby to swaddle and feed, or a Barbie doll to dress up and imagine careers for, or a fake pet to worry about neglecting. No, we'd have preferred Snoozy the Sloth, who merely breathes and take naps with you when you cuddle him. The sloth's epic simplicity -- a plush toy with Arduino guts and a 2 DC motor diaphragm to pump the air in his "lungs" -- makes him a perfect companion for our downtime. Created by Justin Blinder for a toy-making class at Parsons The New School for Design, Snoozy is merely a prototype, but we really hope the toy industry is watching: they could learn a lot, in our sleepy, sleepy opinion. There's a video of him napping after the break (and hit the read link for a shorter one of his innards). Yawn.

[Via Gizmodo, thanks, Jesse]

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Arduino-based 'sigh collector' is clever, pointless

by Joseph L. Flatley, posted May 14th 2009 at 4:55PM

Of all the things we are inclined to take for granted, the weary exhalation of air that is commonly referred to as a "sigh" easily tops our list (other things that we take for granted: our mother's love and Laser Pink Floyd at the planetarium on Saturday nights). But not Instructables member mkontop, however: this guy is clearly fascinated by the theory, practice, and ramifications of sighing, even going so far as to build a device that not only monitors his breathing and measures his sighing, but then goes on to store the corresponding amount of exhaled air in a box nearby. To what end, you ask? Perhaps you can ask Marcel Duchamp next time he's in town. Hit that read link to build one for yourself, but not before peeping that video after the break.

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Paperduino is like the cardboard fort version of every hacker's favorite I/O board

by Paul Miller, posted May 11th 2009 at 12:49PM

After the boundless Arduino-based inventions we've witnessed over the years, it was really about time Arduino did a little something for itself. Guilherme printed up his own paper Arduino designs, which do away with the regular printed circuit board and substitute a colorful combination of paper, cardboard and nerdy needlepoint. It's almost precious enough to get us to pick up a soldering iron once more, despite the horrible disfigurement caused by our last run-in with melting metal.

[Via Make]

DIY ShiftBrite coffeetable a beautiful, headache-inducing conversation piece

by Laura June, posted May 4th 2009 at 1:44PM

Searching for the perfect coffeetable is a struggle we know well. DIYer macetech has sidestepped the whole "boring" furniture problem by installing 81 ShiftBrite LED modules into a 2x2 foot IKEA table which run a sine plasma into HSV/RGB conversion by way of an Arduino. Sure, it's probably not something your grandmother would want in her living room -- but your friends would undoubtedly be pretty jealous to see this thing hanging out in your place. Watch out for seizures, though. Video of the table in action after the break.

[Via Make]

Continue reading DIY ShiftBrite coffeetable a beautiful, headache-inducing conversation piece

Guitar Hero arduino note visualizer lights our fire

by Laura June, posted Apr 29th 2009 at 7:21PM

A crafty Guitar Hero DIY-er has built a little project with possibly startling implications. The includes ambient light sensors in front of the television which are triggered by the light of the notes on screen during Guitar Hero gameplay. The sensors trigger an Arduino to turn on LEDS on a nearby setup. In the video (which is after the break) you can see the entire thing in action -- which maker Joe says can eventually lead to a rig which plays the game for you. The horror!

[Via Make]

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Video: Theremin-esque digital synth sure to get Brian Wilson up in arms

by Laura June, posted Apr 20th 2009 at 4:43PM

The theremin is just one of those instruments that nerds can't stop digging and modding. This newest iteration, the Squaremin, resembles the much-loved instrument in that you don't touch it to play it -- rather you move your hands about to control the octave and output of notes. The Squaremin was made using an ATmega168 chip, and boasts two infrared sensors to measure proximity -- one to control the note played, the other to control the octave which is played out of the front speaker of the instrument. Check out the video after the break.

[Via Make]

Continue reading Video: Theremin-esque digital synth sure to get Brian Wilson up in arms

BrewTroller simplifies homebrewing, makes it doable while inebriated

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 11th 2009 at 2:06AM

It's been a mystery for ages, but at long last, it seems a simple DIYer has found a solution. We all know that the best beers are the ones brewed at home, but after a given amount of "test sips," things can easily get a little out of control. In order to simplify the homebrewing process, the brilliant BrewTroller was concocted during a short stint with sobriety. In essence, the system utilizes a Sanguino microcontroller platform which was inspired by the tried-and-true Arduino in order to give brewers complete control over temperature and the like. When connected to a simple menu-driven display, it removes the need to bang out a paragraph of code while tipsy in order to tweak the flavor ever so slightly. Hit up the read link to have a look at the progress, but make sure you strap on those Beer Goggles first.

[Via HackedGadgets]

BakerTweet, the Arduino-based pastry early warning system

by Joseph L. Flatley, posted Apr 3rd 2009 at 9:26AM

Usually when we cover the baked goods beat 'round here it's in the form of a gadget-themed confection, so anything that actually empowers our sweet tooth is not only brilliant, it's dangerous! That's why we were really excited (and a little scared) to come across BakerTweet, a WiFi-enabled, Arduino-based prototype that one mounts on the wall of their bakery. Items are added or removed via web interface, which you can later select by simply spinning the dial. When the sweets come out of the oven, press the button to Tweet your eager customers and await the stampede. The prototype unit is being used at Albion's Oven in London, but we're looking forward to seeing it hit the streets Stateside at some point in the near future (even if our waist isn't). Video after the break.

[Via SlashGear]

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Arduino finds yet another use in homebuilt 3D scanner

by Donald Melanson, posted Apr 3rd 2009 at 8:34AM

The Arduino has long since proven itself to be one of the biggest boons to DIY heads since the soldering iron, but that doesn't mean it's not still able to impress, as amply demonstrated by this simple but effective homebuilt 3D scanner. While there's not exactly much to guide the rookies out there, the project does seem to be straightforward enough for anyone with a bit of experience, with the scanner itself comprised of nothing more than the Arduino, a couple of servos, and the Sharp GP2Y0A02YK Long Distance Measuring Sensor -- plus the necessary code, of course, which is conveniently provided at the link below. Once you've got everything pieced together, you should all set to make polar coordinate scans of your surroundings and watch the time fly by.

[Via Hacked Gadgets]

Video: ultrasonic water level dish pings owner when kitty needs a drink

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 31st 2009 at 9:07AM

Given that most cats aren't really the talkative type, we can definitely understand scoopmycatbox's desire to rig up a water dish (vid's after the break) that does the yapping for his dearest kitty. Put as simply as possible, the ultrasonic water level cat dish combines an Arduino, Parallax range finder, some scrap wood and a good deal of wires in order to measure when the water bowl needs to be refilled. He's still working to get the contraption to send him a Tweet when the level gets below a certain point, and we can only assume that part II will see an automatic refilling tool hooked in to said alerting system. And you thought pets had it good before the advent of technology...

[Via MAKE]

Continue reading Video: ultrasonic water level dish pings owner when kitty needs a drink

Arduinocaster MIDI pseudo-keytar sure to entice Bob Casale

by Laura June, posted Mar 25th 2009 at 1:31PM

We see all sorts of instrument-mods around this part, but most of them are trying as hard as they might to look like regular, every day instruments. That's why the Arduinocaster is so fascinating -- it's got no interest in looking normal -- just like us! An Arduino-based MIDI instrument that makes use of switches and LEDs to control the "strings," and an opto reflective switch for strumming. Hit the read link for further details and check the video of it in action after the break.

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OpenBerry DIY messenger heavy on style, won't replace your smartphone

by Ross Miller, posted Mar 20th 2009 at 4:12PM

Looking for a weekend DIY project? Using a 26-key ButtonShield keyboard module and salvaging parts from his Open Source GameBoy project, Liquidware Antipasto blogger intheblitz has created the OpenBerry, a Arduino-based mobile messenger that's maybe one-half part BlackBerry and seven parts great icebreaker at parties (the kind of parties we go to, at least). Right now the functionality is minimal -- it sends and receives messages synced to your laptop via a XBee module. The interface is also lacking, but a GUI is in apparently the works. See the device for yourself in the video after the break.

Continue reading OpenBerry DIY messenger heavy on style, won't replace your smartphone

Brauswitch gives you eyebrow control, that Karate Kid look

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 26th 2009 at 1:29PM

Forget controlling things with your mind, hands or feet -- how's about your completely underutilized eyebrows? Without any real output in mind, one Robert Carlsen designed the Brauswtich to give wearers the ability to control any number of things with just an eyebrow raise. Fully endorsed by The Rock, this apparatus contains a digital switch that can be activated when an eyebrow movement forces the tiny slit shut. Details behind the magic have yet to be revealed, but you can bet you'll see these infiltrating the likes of Spencer's Gifts, Hot Topic and Loose Lucy's when it's good and ready. Naturally, a demo video is after the break.

[Via MAKE]

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