arduino
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Diffus pollution dress is turned on by CO2, prefers a clean environment
We've seen LED-laced dresses before -- though sometimes we'd rather we hadn't -- but this one here is almost refined enough for us to consider wearing. Stitched together using conductive embroidery, hundreds of LEDs are connected to a CO2 detector and react to its input with anything from a slow pulsating glow to a blinking signal of doom. No mention of Morse code messages, unfortunately, but this is run by an Arduino chip -- which means programming malleability (read: near-limitless possibilities) should be built in. Just know that when you see the next Bond girl communicating with Daniel Craig via her haute tech outfit, we had the idea first. A closeup of the dress and processor awaits after the break.
Puck makes any surface interactive, probably even Surface (video)
Ask any home audio enthusiast and they'll tell you: there's nothing quite like precisely adjusting settings via a giant knob. However, they can't all be huge or our living rooms would be covered by the things. Enter the Puck: a wireless RFID reader that also contains an accelerometer, controlled by an Arduino Mini and created by Eric Gradman along with Tyler and Brent Bushnell. RFIDs mounted to walls or other surfaces tell the PUCK what function to control, and then the accelerometer serves to increase or decrease the value as it's turned, truly turning it into a virtual knob. If you're done snickering, there's a video after the break showing one Puck controlling three separate light colors individually, perfect for dialing in the perfect mood or concert lighting -- if only it could dial down the amplitude of dude's fauxhawk. Update: We received a note indicating a grave factual inaccuracy in this post. We've been told that the hair depicted in the video below is, indeed, a genuine mohawk. We've yet to receive photo confirmation of this fact (the mood lighting in the demo is a bit too dark to tell), but in the interest of accuracy we're providing this update just the same. Update 2: Photo proof received; mohawk confirmed. And a quite impressive one, too.
Found Footage: The iPhone-controlled, solar-powered Arduino tank
Are you the type of person who likes to handcraft your Christmas gifts? This year, perhaps you can make someone's Christmas Day just a little bit brighter and happier when they unwrap their very own iPhone-controlled, solar-powered Arduino tank. As you can view in the video above, the tank is pretty impressive in its current form; it could be used to strike terror into the hearts of unsuspecting senior citizens or small animals. It was built by Chris Rojas, a Colorado-based geek who used the iPhone TouchOSC app [US$4.99, iTunes Link], various parts from SparkFun including XBee modules and robot kits, and the Arduino open-source electronics prototyping platform to create this cool little tank. The tank can be charged by exposing a belly-mounted photovoltaic panel to the sun. Maybe it's just me, but I'd love to see one of these modded out with a spinning saw blade, lasers, and maybe a paintball gun... What would be your accessory of choice for your iPhone-controlled tank? [via Cult of Mac]
Arduino-packin' Didgeridoo features 17 effects controls, drones with the best of 'em (video)
You know, we don't see too many didgeridoos in these parts (and for good reason, seeing as how it is little more than a pipe) but wait'll to you get a load of this aerophone-wielding maniac: Kyle Evans has grafted an Arduino Bluetooth module to his "didge" (as we say 'round the drum circle) and supplied a wireless mic to transmit audio to his laptop, where the sound is manipulated via custom-built audio processing software. The controllers for the various effects are situated on the instrument itself (including six push button switches, six pots, and five toggle switches), bringing your avante-garde dreams one step closer to reality. Tell La Monte Young we said "Hi." Video after the break.
'Secret Knock' Door Lock defends home from rhythmically-impaired perps (video)
The Arduino board has been the engine of many wild and wacky projects over the years, from bakery tweeting to various musical instruments. For its next trick, our man Steve Hoefer has taken his microcontroller and, along with a piezoelectric speaker, a gear reduction motor, and some PVC pipe, programmed it to listen for a preset sequence of knocks -- a secret knock, if you will -- and unlock the deadbolt upon hearing the right combination. Although this might not be the security system you want to put in place for your home, this definitely looks like a fun weekend project. Check out the read link for instructions and schematics, but not before you see the video of the thing in action. It's after the break.
Laziness on the move: robot plays Rock Band on the iPhone
Why confine your nerdy sloth to your living room, where large robots mime fake guitar and serve you sloppy mixed drinks? Take that zest for the sedentary life with you on the road by having one of your robot ninjas steal this iPhone Rock Band robot from its ingenious creator, Joe Bowers. The Arduino-based device uses ambient light sensors to detect the falling notes and then taps out the music with some conductive foam attached to some squeaky fake fingers. Joe did a fairly detailed write-up, and even uploaded his code, so there's presumably nothing stopping you from actually doing something with your life and building one of these with all that free time you've saved up by hacking your way through all the console-based guitar games. Video is after the break. [Via Daily Mobile]
Football Hero mod takes Arduino to the Kasabian-approved big leagues (video)
Some folks say less is more, but we'll bet they never saw Guitar Hero being played by kicking footballs against a giant wall. This epic undertaking will give your plastic axe a major inadequacy complex with its huge wall-mounted piezo vibration sensors and absurdly large fretboard projection. An Arduino acts as the conduit between the contact sensors and a PC running the freeware Frets on Fire. The outcome from such a relatively simple setup is pretty astounding, and you can check it out in the videos past the break, including some behind the scenes footage.
Homemade GPS puzzle box puts a modern spin on treasure hunts
We'll readily admit that most Arduino mods tend to be exercises in creativity (and eccentricity) with little real world utility, which is why this one piqued our interest. A wedding present conceived of and built by Mikal Hart, the box you see above is set to only open in one particular geographic location, and the puzzle of it is to find out where that might be. You're allowed 50 attempts at opening the box by hitting the button next to the LCD screen, which in turn gives you a distance from, but not direction to, your destination. What tickles us about this idea, aside from its ingenuity, is the potential to use it without the helpful hints in securing your own valuables. Check out the read link for a full shopping list of ingredients and the amusing reaction to the quirky gift. [Via Slippery Brick]
Robotic 'mood tail' is everything you hope it to be, and more
Why hang on to your emotions when you can wag them proudly with a robotic mood tail? Sure, you may never have asked that question yourself, but intrepid DIYer Wei-Chieh Tseng seemingly has, and he's done something about it. Apparently, the tail makes use of the ever dependable Arduino and an RFID reader to detect different emotion cards that set off varying degrees of tail-wagging, or you can simply control the tail yourself using a Wii nunchuck -- because, why not? Did we mention there's a video? Check it out after the break.
ProtoDojo turns NES controller into flash drive with Konami-level security
The humble NES controller has certainly provided plenty of inspiration for mods over the years, and even a little dreaming, but it doesn't look like the well is showing any signs of drying up just yet. The latest to take a crack at the iconic gadget is one man shop ProtoDojo, which did what many others have done and turned the controller into a flash drive, but went the extra step of adding an ingenious security measure to ensure that only true NES veterans are able to mount the drive. We won't spell it out here, but let's just say this drive stands a better chance at Contra than most -- all possible thanks to the magic of Arduino, as you might have guessed. Head on past the break for a complete overview on video.
Adafruit's DIY 'less lethal' weapon looks cool, doesn't really work
As you're no doubt well aware, the government is always looking for new ways to make dissidents feel uncomfortable. In this space alone we've seen devices meant to cook folks with microwaves, zap 'em with electricity, and make 'em nauseous using light. Taking inspiration from the last one, the open source pranksters at Adafruit Industries have built a contraption of their own called the Bedazzler. It's powered by an Arduino and, unlike the original, Adafruit's version doesn't seem to work for the purpose incapacitating no-goodniks -- but that's probably a good thing. For some background on this extremely less than lethal device, peep the the video after the break. And then hit the read link to build one yourself.
N900 hacked to replace the innards of a Speak & Spell, can never bring back your childhood
Nokia has been handing out the N900 for selective "artsy" uses lately through its "Push" program, and the folks at Tinker it now! sure seem to have put their model to good use. They've paired the device with all matter of nostalgia, including a Rolodex, FM radio and a 3D Viewmaster. Our favorite by far, however, is the Speak & Spell hack, which puts the gargantuan Speak & Spell keyboard to good use in penning text messages for the N900 -- which displays them in the classic font and even articulates your words with a speech synthesis engine. It's all a testament to the flexibility of Linux, hacker ingenuity and of course liberal application of Arduino, but it's also a little advertorial-ey, so you might want to leave your gag reflex at home for this one. [Via Nokia Conversations]
TRKBRD surface touchpad puts your weekend DIY project to shame, probably
It may not seem like much from this video, but Malmö University graduate student Rob Nero has assembled himself a surface-based touchpad using all Arduino products and "simple Algebra." Dubbed TRKBRD, the device uses hyper-fast flashing LEDs and IR sensors to calculate the XY coordinates of the shadow, and subsequently the finger itself. We haven't seen it hooked up to a computer just yet, but we hope there's more to come. Videos of the successful trial run and some preliminary testing and wiring after the break. [Via Make: Online]
Arduino binary clock doesn't care to be useful, just wants to be admired
If there's one thing we love about DIY projects, it's the feeling that the outcome is more than the mere sum of its parts. This here binary clock is a prime example, being composed of scrap plastic, some dirt-cheap parts and a homemade Arduino board. And yet, after a few licks of polish and the inevitable LEDs, it looks like a true monument to geekdom, which is only amplified by the fact you can't even use the thing without being familiar with binary code. But then again, if utility was a standard by which we judged homebrewed projects, we'd have a lot less to talk about. [Via Make]
Webcycle provides pedal-powered internet, reason to dodge browser-enlarging Flash sites
Need an excuse to get some cardio into your life? Can't live without ye old internet? Thanks to Matt Grey and Tom Scott, the answer to your weight loss woes is pictured above. The aptly-titled Webcycle is essentially a sensor-laden fitness bike that requires users to pedal faster in order to snag more throughput. An Ubuntu-based laptop is wired up to an Arduino and an array of sensors that allow more bits and bytes to seep through based on how hard the rider is working. A simple slow pedal is all it takes to load mobile pages and text-heavy sites, but if you're hoping to actually watch the video after the break, you'll certainly need to kick things up a notch. Pure brilliance, we say.[Thanks, Yoda]
Video: Arduino-based 'insecure, egotistical' robot band
One part gadget, one part art project, and 100% awesome, the Cybraphon is a MacBook powered, Arduino-based mechanical band housed in an antique wardrobe. Including an organ, cymbals, a motor-driven Indian Shruti box (played with 13 robotic servos, no less), and a gramophone, it relies on infrared motion detectors to sense when it has an audience. A number of factors, including the amount of attention it gets on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, help the device determine its "mood," which in turn determines when the "band" plays, and what material it selects. According to one of the artist / inventors, the Cybraphon is a "tongue-in-cheek comment on people's obsession with online celebrity. We modeled it on an insecure, egotistical band." That's our favorite kind! And you know, the thing doesn't sound half bad. Check it out for yourself after the break.
Video: Arduino-powered touchpad mimics iPod volume control
We've seen every manner of touchpad -- multitouch, gesture recognition, no touch, LCD trackpads -- if you can think of it, somebody has probably done a version of it. Take this particular one for example, which just might rank below even the touchscreen GBA in terms of practical usefulness -- though, it's not as if utility is a prerequisite of joviality, right? If you've been neglecting that DIY muscle of late, you owe it to yourself to check out the video beyond the break, which shows that a humble touchpad can learn new tricks. Oh, and if you feel extra inspired, the read link contains another video plus the necessary code for making the light show happen. Don't say we never gave you anything. [Via Hack A Day]
Video: GBA SP gets touchscreen hack, turns Nintendo concept into reality
The DSi seems to be getting all the cool mods and appendages these days, so we're pleased to see the other portable Nintendo gaming system getting some love. We've tracked down video of an Arduino-powered touchscreen hack for the Game Boy Advance SP that brings to life one of Nintendo's own concepts and -- while not quite on par with the GamePack -- comes with all the exposed hardware and blinking lights you'd expect from a quality mod. Though there's no interface or game compatibility to speak of, the coolness factor alone should be enough for you to check out the video after the break.
Video: Breath-over-IP concept is a fun way to creep out your friends
This might have been a Crapgadget contender but for the fact it's a homemade system and therefore deserves some kudos for the ingenuity shown. An irrepressible geek by the name of Thomas Edwards has concocted a system for communicating breathing over the interwebs -- a surefire way to take your cyberstalking game to the next level. Employing an Arduino protoshield, AdaFruit Xport shield, Lantronix Xport Direct, and a Kestrel impeller to create the device, Thomas demonstrates a taste for obscure technology usually not seen outside of prototyping labs. Click through for video of a candle being blown out remotely, perhaps the one and only family-friendly use for an instrument like this.[Via Make]
OTTO slices beats, has no effect on tin cans
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.
