Arduino UNO
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Homemade self-balancing unicycle uses an Arduino to keep upright
On the whim of a coin flip, Nick Thatcher once decided between building a homemade Segway, or a self balancing unicycle. Even though the powers of fate chose the former, Thatcher's thirst to build wasn't quenched -- he built the one-wheeled scooter anyway. The Raptor looks a lot like a Ryno unicycle built from spare parts -- a chain driven wheelbarrow wheel powered by a 350w geared motor, a pair of batteries wired in series, some PVC and polycarbonate, an IMU gyro and an Arduino UNO -- all hobbled together to form a one-wheeled electric mount. Thatcher says the scooter can push 10mph safely, but faster speeds tend to outpace the gyro's corrective efforts. Still, the bike promises between 90-120 minutes of face-plant free fun, provided the rider is at least a little balanced. The motorized unicycle isn't for sale, but peek on over to Thatch Industries for a parts list, or scoot on past the break to see the bike in action.
Ben Heck fashions a pocket computer with an Xbox Chatpad and Arduino Uno
It's great to see Ben Heck focus his efforts of do-gooder projects like that foot-controlled wheelchair, but we'll always have a soft spot for the modfather's more nostalgic undertakings, like this BASIC pocket computer. Heck created the device for the latest episode of his web show, and if you're following along at home, you'll need the Chatpad from an Xbox 360 controller, an Arduino Uno and a LCD display -- a Hitachi HD 44780, in this case. The modder-turned-host is quick to point out that the project's purpose isn't solely nostalgic -- you can also use it to control real world objects, which in the Heck's case means a ghost on a pinball playfield. Check out a video of the invention in action after the break.
Digispark, Arduino's unofficial kid brother, takes Kickstarter by storm (video)
Hobbyist Erik Kettenburg was concerned that the size and cost of Arduino stifled his ability to craft, so he set about developing Digispark. It's an Arduino-compatible board, the size of a quarter, that offers a few pins at around a third of the cost of an Uno -- so you don't have to worry about taking projects apart when you're done. Designed to be fully compatible with the Italian standard, it's packing six I/O pins, 8k memory and a full USB connection amongst other things. The aim is to retail the gear for $12 a piece, and has been so popular that it's made nearly $100,000 in Kickstarter pledges, smashing its original goal of $5,000. We've got video for you below, and you can still throw some cash Mr. Kettenburg's way if you fancy getting your hands on one quickly.
OLED Lego train station emerges from Adafruit and Arduino gear, minifigs to get home on time
Who knew Lego characters had to be somewhere in a hurry? Adafruit did, as it just whipped up a minifig-sized train schedule. The invention mates one of Adafruit's own 1-inch OLED boards with an Arduino Uno controlling the schedule behind the scenes. It looks to be a straightforward project for the DIY types, although the display is currently all show: the schedule doesn't (yet) pair up with the train tracks to automatically let your minifigs know if their trip to the pirate spaceship castle has been delayed by ghosts. You can check the source link for the full instructions. Duplo builders, alas, are kept out of the loop.
Ben Heck's Android-controlled pot-stirrer does (most of) the cooking for you
Ben Heck is always thinking up gadgets that make life easier, from completely hands-free luggage to a sensor system for improved cycling safety. His latest mod is meant for those of us who have burnt Ramen a few too many times. His so-called Ben-Stur Remote Control Android app works with a pot-stirring device, freeing users to stray from the kitchen while their meal is cooking. The app works via Bluetooth, and the pot-stirrer consists of an actuator arm, a chip clip, a timing belt and, of course, a wooden spoon. Heck used a Google ADK and an Arduino Uno for the control mechanism that communicates between the app and the stirrer. In the tablet app, users can check their food's temperature and control the speed of the spoon's stirring. If that whets your appetite, click the source link for more info -- and check out our Maker Faire interview with Mr. Heckendorn himself.
IRL: Logitech UE Air Speaker, the Canon Rebel XT and an Arduino non-starter
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Welcome back to IRL, and if we do say so ourselves, this week's edition is a doozy. On one end of the gadget-loving spectrum, Jason is still happily using his Canon Rebel XT, while Darren remains thoroughly unsatisfied with his $400 AirPlay speaker (it was easy to set up, at least -- he'll give it that). And, just for good measure, we threw in an Arduino fail. So, which piece of audio gear is on our "do not buy" list? Who needs to take a course in wiring-based coding? And does Jason have anything negative to say about his DSLR? Head past the break to find out.
Four Bit Maze dares you to solve its puzzles, work your way up to the Lament Configuration
Got a relative who keeps cheating his way out of your yew maze? This holiday season, perhaps you should consider a different kind of challenge: Oskar van Deventer's Four Bit Maze. The apparently simple goal is to move the quartet of sliders from zero to one, but an Arduino UNO microcontroller makes things a bit trickier. It's programmed with ten different puzzles, each requiring a different sequence of movements to solve. An Arduino Motor Shield operates the motorfaders, and the whole thing's USB-programmable, meaning you can tweak it to your heart's content. See an in-depth video demonstration after the break if this sounds like your idea of fiendishly difficult fun.
Homemade PIP-Boy 3000 does (almost) everything
Here at Joystiq, we love the idea of taking the non-existant and making it, well, existent, and we applaud the modders, hackers and crafters out there that are crafty enough to do it. Take MyMagicPudding, for instance: not content with living in a world where Fallout 3's wrist-mounted Personal Information Processor didn't exist, Mr. Puddin' took it upon himself to bend the universe to his will create a fully functioning PIP-Boy 3000. Using an HTC Desire HD, an Arduino Uno microcontroller and a custom-cast casing forged by "Skruffy," Puddin's PIP-Boy stays true to its vault-born inspiration by ignoring the Desire HD's touch-screen capabilities and instead utilizing a functioning scroll-wheel and potentiometer; the correct lights even light up corresponding to what screen you're on. Puddin's first foray into the world of electronics is a picturesque representation of one of our favorite gaming gadgets, but the sad truth is that so many components were required to produce a perfect PIP-Boy, there ended up being no room left for the owner's arm. Once again, the limitations of physical space have prevented fiction from becoming reality.
Rich Decibels Brainwave Disruptor scrambles your head, not your eggs
Child of the '80s? Then you'll most likely remember those notorious PSAs about your brain and eggs, and the dangers of turning yourself into an omelette. Yeah, well turn off your inner Nancy Reagan for a second because we've got an Arduino hack that should have you just saying yes. New Zealand artist Rich Decibels created a homebrew brain entrainment device that uses low frequency sound and light to induce different mental states. The mod pieces together an Arduino Uno with two separate interface boards -- one for pitch and separation controls, the other for LED and volume -- to deliver a combo of binaural beats (two slightly out of sync tones) and flashing headset-mounted lights that'll slow down those cerebral hertz cycles. If you happen to live in the land made famous by Frodo's Shire, you can check out the brain-slowing goods at Thistle Hall's Project Briefcase exhibition. Not a Kiwi? Then be sure to hit the source for an audio taste of this hacked head experience.
