arduino
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NES controller, CD-ROM reconstituted as security system
Sure, this isn't the first homebrew security system we've seen, but as long as there are nosey little sisters in the world, there will be a need for this sort of project. Based on the Arduino, the NoKES (NintendO Keyless Entry System) allows the user to set an entry code, which will then have to be entered via the retro-hip NES controller in order to unlock the door. The deadbolt itself is moved by a CD tray, and if you enter the wrong code, attempt to disable the device, or just stop by and knock on the door you'll get your picture taken. Sounds like just the thing to keep those valuable comic books and He-Man action figures out of harm's way while you're off earning your Copyright Activity Badge. Hit the read link for step-by-step instructions, and be sure to check out the demo video after the break.
Arduino-armed Acer Aspire One and wheels tools around, shoots video
Something about this Acer Aspire One with wheels just looks so... right. After suiting up the laptop with a tiny motor, some "crazy" wheels and an Arduino Diecimila, the crafty DIY-er wrote a bit of code that commands the unit to perform simple movements like turn left, turn right, move forward, and pause, while transmitting some breathtaking video of its travels back to a different computer via WiFi. The unit doesn't do reverse yet, nor can it pop wheelies -- after all, it's no Rovio -- though the wishlist of possible improvements is fairly uh... impressive. Check the video (not the Acer-transmitted one) after the break, though we have to give you fair warning: the robot steamrolls a cat near the end.
Image Scanning Sequencer goes portable, turns light table doodles into creepy murmurs
Those MAKE kids sure love their Arduino, and today's creation has a fun musical bent. The Image Scanning Sequencer -- a portable followup to the similarly-dubbed Image Scanning Sequencer -- has a strip of photo cells that can trigger MIDI notes based on what they're picking up. The darkness of the detected "note" sets the velocity of the note, and the location sets the pitch. The Arduino sits in between, making all the magic happen. If this all sounds completely meaningless and pointless, you're probably right, but check out the video after a break for chance at making sense of it all. And simulated whale noises. [Via MAKE, thanks Manny]
iPhone robot is ambulatory, still wants physical keyboard
Robots are awesome, we can all probably agree on that. Robots made from iPhones are basically an extension of that awesomeness, crossed with an element of unimaginable, ludicrous fun, which is why we're pleasantly surprised to see that such a device finally exists. Using a jailbroken iPhone 3G running some Ruby code, an Arduino CPU, a TA7291P motor, and 4 AA batteries, the creator is able to pilot the bot via WiFi from a nearby computer, all the while recording its view for later playback. The results look pretty cool, and trust us, you're definitely going to want to check out the video after the break. As far as we can tell, by the way, the lyrics to the song in the video are "iPhone with keyboard," which seemingly refers to this, um... iPhone with keyboard we saw earlier today -- apparently from the hands of the same craftsman, who seems like a very busy guy. Especially if he wrote the song! [Via iPhone World]
Arduino-based pumpkin promises to scare off trick-or-treaters
Pumpkins outfitted with LEDs are certainly all well and good, but the ever-versatile Arduino platform has now upped the Jack O' Lantern modding possibilities considerably, and MAKE's Marc de Vinck looks to have made a decent stab at things with this immodestly dubbed "scariest pumpkin ever." To help it snag that title, de Vinck did away with the usual spooky halloween sound effects and instead opted for a car horn, which lets out a blast whenever someone presses the impossible to resist red button. That, obviously, presents a number of problems, and MAKE warns not to leave the pumpkin unattended, or let someone press their ear up against it. Or, if you're not quite ready to tackle the project yourself, you can simply get a taste of it at a slightly more tolerable level by checking out the video after the break.
Open source "Game Boy" has five awesome parts, zero games
The Arduino-based, DIY GamePack is sort of like the Mignon Game Kit we saw in 2005, but it definitely looks much, much radder. For a mere $249.93, all the necessary parts -- CPU, "Inputshield" customizable, vibrating controller / button component (say, for right or left-handed configurations), "TouchShield Stealth" OLED display unit, and "MeCap" lithium battery pack -- can be yours. Once you've cobbled it together, of course, the real fun begins -- it's pretty much a blank slate with little more than code for a color-changing dot to start with, so if you want to play any "games" on that new "Game Boy" of yours, you're going to have to write them yourself. See a video of the device in action after the break.[Via technabob]
USB-authenticated deadbolt lock promises to only let geeks pass
Sure you can go crazy and drop a few hundred bucks on a high-tech door lock, or you can follow the lead of the folks from Makers Local 256 and build this USB-authenticated deadbolt, which should set you back just $60 -- or no doubt less if you can scavenge up some spare parts. The setup is based on Arduino's slightly lesser known cousin the Freeduino, and effectively turns any standard USB thumb drive into a key, which can be just as easily lost or misplaced as a regular key but not as easily duplicated. What's more, it's not the data on the drive that gets read by the lock, but rather the serial number on a chip, which leaves the rest of the drive free for you to use as you please. Head on past the break to check it out in action.
Video: Ganzbot reads Twitter feeds aloud, looks fashionably low-rate
We've seen methods for hooking house plants up with their own Twitter account, but there's hardly anything more satisfying that building a robot to read back all those feeds from the thousands of people you're undoubtedly following. Ganzbot is a decidedly low-budget robot that relies on an Arduino Decima to control the head actions and a USB cable to receive up-to-date status information. Have a look at the innards as well as a few words being spoken just after the jump.[Via MAKE]
Image scanning sequencer excites our ears, leaves blank looks on our faces
Be warned: what you're about to see, hear and experience should you venture down beyond the break is exceptionally odd. Like, bordering on creepy. It's not so much the machine that's eerie -- after all, it's just a home built image scanning sequencer that uses LDRs to measure grey-scales and trigger MIDI notes from a selected threshold -- it's the audio we're concerned about. We're talking funeral tunes at their finest, which is honestly a bit heavy at this point in the morning. Those who can take it know where to head.[Via MAKE]
PS2 controller hack simulates fatigue to make games more realistic
We've seen more than our share of game controller hacks in our day, but few as devious as this creation by the folks at Near Future Laboratory, which promises to make games more "realistic" by simulating fatigue. That was done with the aid of the ever-versatile Arduino platform, which was wired to the DualShock 2's analog sticks and programmed to tweak the output signal ever so slightly so that the longer you play, the slower your character moves. Madness, we know, but if you want to give it a shot yourself, you can find the details and necessary code at the link below.[Via MAKE:Blog]
Machine Collective reveals modular prototyping platform
While Bug Labs may have brought modular gadget kits to the forefront, you won't find us kvetching about yet another formidable opponent. Machine Collective has just launched a website to showcase its modular prototyping platform, which essentially consists of a number of interchangeable I/O modules "designed to work with development platforms such as Arduino and Wiring." Needless to say, the possibilities for DIYers and electrical engineers are pretty much endless here, though you'll have to "wait a few weeks" before excitedly beaming in your order and credit card information.[Via MAKE]
The Arduino gets downsized, becomes the Nano
If you're a DIY'er, you're probably familiar with the versatile Arduino platform. Well now you can shrink your creations even smaller, thanks to a rejiggered form factor called the Arduino Nano. Capitalizing on the popularity of the previous Mini version, the Nano gets further downsized, reducing the components into a layout about the length and width of a stick of gum -- without sacrificing any of the functionality. Be honest, you're brainstorming some gum-pack-sized project right now, aren't you? Luckily you won't have to wait long -- the Nano will be available from Gravitech in June for an economical $49.99.[Via Make]
Rancilio's Silvia espresso machine gets hacked via the Arduino and Wii nunchuk
If you're both a coffee- and gadget-freak, this project by DIY'er Tim Hirzel will probably be a notably inspiring hack. By combining a fancy-pants Rancilio Silvia espresso machine, the multi-purpose Arduino micro-controller, a Wii nunchuk, and some seriously high-level hacking, Tim has created a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. The typically straight-up espresso maker is now controlled electronically, allowing integration of a calendar, sleep timer, wake-up alarm, and temperature regulation. The system also allows a user to time its functions (to get that perfect cup of espresso), and the nunchuk can be used to alter settings on the unit. Be sure and take a look at the video after the break to see this mod in action.[Thanks, Russ]
DIY on how to make your plants Twitter
Engadget hit on this one, and it's technically possible to do it with a Windows PC, but considering that Mac users are greener than most folks, and lovers of both plants and cool tech DIY, we're posting it anyway. Botanicalls, which is a project to help your plants make phone calls, has posted a how-to guide on getting your plants to twitter when they need water, got water but not enough, or are even being overwatered.The whole rig requires an Arduino board, and it's not exactly for Mom to do on her own (unless of course your Mom is an electrical engineer, which is entirely possible), because it also will walk you through making your own moisture sensor. Once you've got everything plugged in, the Arduino software will talk to the unit via USB and ethernet, and a terminal script will actually send the Tweets out. Unfortunately, despite a quick search on Twitter, I wasn't able to find any plants actually tweeting, but if you have one, let us know.
DIY kit lets houseplants Twitter when they need water
Finally, your mind-exploding, breakdown-inducing struggle to keep your houseplants watered regularly is getting a little help. A group called Botanicalls has come up with a method to monitor your plants remotely, then be Twittered when they need some water. Taking a slightly different direction than the ThirstyLight, the system is based around the popular (and versatile) Arduino board, which is combined with a DIY moisture sensor, and a small piece of code that will alert you when your greenery is starting to need a drink. Look, we'll be honest with you: it's a pretty complicated process to go through just to figure out when your plants need water, but if you're as serious about flora as we think you are, this will be a dream come true.[Via Make]
Nunchuk robot coming for your soul
So maybe Charlie isn't really coming for your soul, but he is awfully cute, and since he needs only a Wii nunchuk, a transmitter, and a little attention, he's pretty awesome, too. Creator frank26080115 designed the RC robot to work in a variety of ways with the nunchuk for control; he can use the joystick to move the little guy around, or with the Z-button depressed, the scheme allows for full motion controls. Using the C button, he can control Charlie's head. Better still? There's code and more available for all you robot aficionados at home, so you can get to work on your own version.[Via Hack a Wii]
DIY hit counter rings bell to welcome each visitor
Ah, the wonderful world of homegrown hit counters. This iteration was designed to be particular useful during the holiday season, as the bell ringing you'll hear should be just the thing to get your spirits up -- or drive you mad. Regardless, those interested in creating one for themselves don't have a whole lot of work ahead; you'll just need an Arduino Board, a servo motor, a bell of your choosing, a couple paperclips, a website, a computer (with intarweb access), wires and well-rested fingers ready to punch in some code. For all the details, be sure and hit the read link -- and major kudos to anyone who can stand having this thing wired up and active for over 24 hours.[Via Coolest-Gadgets]
