Steampunk Water Thief Clock Steals Attention, Too
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/steampunk-water-thief-clock-steals-attention-too/
The funny thing about clocks is that the more intriguing they are to look at, the more precious time is wasted. This steampunk clepsydra is no exception. A clepsydra, or water thief clock is an ancient design that takes many forms. Any clock that uses the inflow or outflow of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/steampunk-water-thief-clock-steals-attention-too/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/steampunk-water-thief-clock-steals-attention-too/
The funny thing about clocks is that the more intriguing they are to look at, the more precious time is wasted. This steampunk clepsydra is no exception. A clepsydra, or water thief clock is an ancient design that takes many forms. Any clock that uses the inflow or outflow of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/steampunk-water-thief-clock-steals-attention-too/)
Hackaday Podcast 043: Ploopy, Castlevania Cube-Scroller, Projection Map Your Face, and Smoosh Those 3D Prints
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/hackaday-podcast-043-ploopy-castlevania-cube-scroller-projection-map-your-face-and-smoosh-those-3d-prints/
Before you even ask, it’s an open source trackball and you’re gonna like it. Hackaday Editors Mike Szczys and Elliot Williams get down to brass tacks on this week’s hacks. From laying down fatter 3D printer extrusion and tricking your stick welder, to recursive Nintendos and cubic Castlevania, this week’s …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/hackaday-podcast-043-ploopy-castlevania-cube-scroller-projection-map-your-face-and-smoosh-those-3d-prints/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/hackaday-podcast-043-ploopy-castlevania-cube-scroller-projection-map-your-face-and-smoosh-those-3d-prints/
Before you even ask, it’s an open source trackball and you’re gonna like it. Hackaday Editors Mike Szczys and Elliot Williams get down to brass tacks on this week’s hacks. From laying down fatter 3D printer extrusion and tricking your stick welder, to recursive Nintendos and cubic Castlevania, this week’s …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/hackaday-podcast-043-ploopy-castlevania-cube-scroller-projection-map-your-face-and-smoosh-those-3d-prints/)
The Dyson Awards Definitely Do Not Suck
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/the-dyson-awards-certainly-do-not-suck/
Named after British inventor James Dyson of cyclonic vacuum cleaner fame, the Dyson Awards are presented annually to current and recent students of engineering, industrial design, and product design, regardless of age. Students from 27 countries work alone or in groups to describe their inventions, which are then judged for …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/the-dyson-awards-certainly-do-not-suck/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/the-dyson-awards-certainly-do-not-suck/
Named after British inventor James Dyson of cyclonic vacuum cleaner fame, the Dyson Awards are presented annually to current and recent students of engineering, industrial design, and product design, regardless of age. Students from 27 countries work alone or in groups to describe their inventions, which are then judged for …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/the-dyson-awards-certainly-do-not-suck/)
uECG – a very small wearable ECG
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/uecg-a-very-small-wearable-ecg/
[Ultimate Robotics] has been working on designing and producing an extremely small ECG that can stream data real time.
Typical electrocardiogram equipment is bulky: miniaturization doesn’t do much for a hospital where optimizations tend to lean towards, durability, longevity, and ease of use. Usually a bunch of leads are strung …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/uecg-a-very-small-wearable-ecg/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/uecg-a-very-small-wearable-ecg/
[Ultimate Robotics] has been working on designing and producing an extremely small ECG that can stream data real time.
Typical electrocardiogram equipment is bulky: miniaturization doesn’t do much for a hospital where optimizations tend to lean towards, durability, longevity, and ease of use. Usually a bunch of leads are strung …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/uecg-a-very-small-wearable-ecg/)
Why Buy Toys When You Can Build Them Instead?
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/why-buy-toys-when-you-can-build-them-instead/
Like many creative individuals who suddenly find themselves parents, [Marta] wanted to make something special for his children to play with. Anybody can just purchase an off-the-shelf electronic toy, but if you’ve got the ability to design one on your own terms, why not do it? But even compared to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/why-buy-toys-when-you-can-build-them-instead/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/why-buy-toys-when-you-can-build-them-instead/
Like many creative individuals who suddenly find themselves parents, [Marta] wanted to make something special for his children to play with. Anybody can just purchase an off-the-shelf electronic toy, but if you’ve got the ability to design one on your own terms, why not do it? But even compared to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/why-buy-toys-when-you-can-build-them-instead/)
Making A Robotic Dog Better By Adding Springiness Without Springs
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/making-a-robotic-dog-better-by-adding-springiness-without-springs/
Getting a legged robot to stay upright, especially a quadruped or biped, can be a challenging undertaking. To experiment with different approaches, [James Bruton] built robot dog test platform and is playing with “dynamic compliant simulated springs“, or in other words, using the motors to act as though they were …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/making-a-robotic-dog-better-by-adding-springiness-without-springs/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/making-a-robotic-dog-better-by-adding-springiness-without-springs/
Getting a legged robot to stay upright, especially a quadruped or biped, can be a challenging undertaking. To experiment with different approaches, [James Bruton] built robot dog test platform and is playing with “dynamic compliant simulated springs“, or in other words, using the motors to act as though they were …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/making-a-robotic-dog-better-by-adding-springiness-without-springs/)
We Are Bowled Over by the BouLED
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/we-are-bowled-over-by-the-bouled/
We’ve seen a lot of cubic LED creations recently, but this one takes it a bit further. The BouLED is a work-in-progress icosahedric LED display, a globe-like sphere made of 20 flat triangular LED-lit faces. When combined with sensors inside the display, it will be able to stabilize the image. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/we-are-bowled-over-by-the-bouled/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/we-are-bowled-over-by-the-bouled/
We’ve seen a lot of cubic LED creations recently, but this one takes it a bit further. The BouLED is a work-in-progress icosahedric LED display, a globe-like sphere made of 20 flat triangular LED-lit faces. When combined with sensors inside the display, it will be able to stabilize the image. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/we-are-bowled-over-by-the-bouled/)
This Radio Control Sailboat Uses 2X4s
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/this-radio-control-sailboat-uses-2x4s/
When [PeterSripol] was a kid, he made a simple sailboat from a scrap piece of 2×4 and some napkin sails. He’s not 8 years old anymore, but he decided he wanted to make another 2X4 sailboat using the skills he’s learned since he was a kid.
You’ll have to get …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/this-radio-control-sailboat-uses-2x4s/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/this-radio-control-sailboat-uses-2x4s/
When [PeterSripol] was a kid, he made a simple sailboat from a scrap piece of 2×4 and some napkin sails. He’s not 8 years old anymore, but he decided he wanted to make another 2X4 sailboat using the skills he’s learned since he was a kid.
You’ll have to get …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/this-radio-control-sailboat-uses-2x4s/)
Considering The Originality Question
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/considering-the-originality-question/
Many Hackaday readers have an interest in older technologies, and from antique motorcycles to tube radios to retrocomputers, you own, conserve and restore them. Sometimes you do so using new parts because the originals are either unavailable or downright awful, but as you do so are you really restoring the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/considering-the-originality-question/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/considering-the-originality-question/
Many Hackaday readers have an interest in older technologies, and from antique motorcycles to tube radios to retrocomputers, you own, conserve and restore them. Sometimes you do so using new parts because the originals are either unavailable or downright awful, but as you do so are you really restoring the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/considering-the-originality-question/)
Plan Ahead: Roaming Charges are a Killer
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/plan-ahead-roaming-charges-are-a-killer/
As the world gets more connected and computerized, it is easy to have an unintended consequence pop up and bite you. Especially because, so much of the time, today, things just work. The days of fretting over how to connect two computers, or how to store reasonable amounts of data …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/plan-ahead-roaming-charges-are-a-killer/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/plan-ahead-roaming-charges-are-a-killer/
As the world gets more connected and computerized, it is easy to have an unintended consequence pop up and bite you. Especially because, so much of the time, today, things just work. The days of fretting over how to connect two computers, or how to store reasonable amounts of data …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/plan-ahead-roaming-charges-are-a-killer/)
Sensing, Connected, Utility Transport Taxi for Level Environments
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/sensing-connected-utility-transport-taxi-for-level-environments/
If that sounds like a mouthful, just call it SCUTTLE – the open-source mobile robot designed at Texas A&M University. SCUTTLE is a low cost (under $350) robot designed for teaching Aggies at the Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology (MXET) program, where it is used for in-lab lessons and semester projects for …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/sensing-connected-utility-transport-taxi-for-level-environments/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/sensing-connected-utility-transport-taxi-for-level-environments/
If that sounds like a mouthful, just call it SCUTTLE – the open-source mobile robot designed at Texas A&M University. SCUTTLE is a low cost (under $350) robot designed for teaching Aggies at the Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology (MXET) program, where it is used for in-lab lessons and semester projects for …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/sensing-connected-utility-transport-taxi-for-level-environments/)
Weather Station Gets Much-Needed Upgrades
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/weather-station-gets-much-needed-upgrades/
Weather stations are a popular project, partly because it’s helpful (and interesting) to know about the weather at your exact location rather than a forecast that might be vaguely in your zip code. They’re also popular because they’re a good way to get experience with microcontrollers, sensors, I/O, and communications …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/weather-station-gets-much-needed-upgrades/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/weather-station-gets-much-needed-upgrades/
Weather stations are a popular project, partly because it’s helpful (and interesting) to know about the weather at your exact location rather than a forecast that might be vaguely in your zip code. They’re also popular because they’re a good way to get experience with microcontrollers, sensors, I/O, and communications …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/weather-station-gets-much-needed-upgrades/)
Use Your Earbud’s Media Controls on Your Laptop With This Useful Dongle
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/use-your-earbuds-media-controls-on-your-laptop-with-this-useful-dongle/
[David] sends in his very nicely designed “Thumpware Media Controller” that lets your mobile phone headphones control the media playback on your PC.
We realize that some PCs have support for the extra pins on cellphone earbuds, but at least some of us have experienced the frustration (however small) of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/use-your-earbuds-media-controls-on-your-laptop-with-this-useful-dongle/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/use-your-earbuds-media-controls-on-your-laptop-with-this-useful-dongle/
[David] sends in his very nicely designed “Thumpware Media Controller” that lets your mobile phone headphones control the media playback on your PC.
We realize that some PCs have support for the extra pins on cellphone earbuds, but at least some of us have experienced the frustration (however small) of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/use-your-earbuds-media-controls-on-your-laptop-with-this-useful-dongle/)
The Rotodyne Fails to Take Off
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/the-rotodyne-fails-to-take-off/
Bacon and eggs, chocolate and peanut butter, salt and pepper; some things just go together. You’d think that a mashup of an airplane and a helicopter would be great, right? The Fairey Rotodyne was just such a thing from the late 1950s and while it looked to be the wave …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/the-rotodyne-fails-to-take-off/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/the-rotodyne-fails-to-take-off/
Bacon and eggs, chocolate and peanut butter, salt and pepper; some things just go together. You’d think that a mashup of an airplane and a helicopter would be great, right? The Fairey Rotodyne was just such a thing from the late 1950s and while it looked to be the wave …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/the-rotodyne-fails-to-take-off/)
Just How Simple Can A Transceiver Be?
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/just-how-simple-can-a-transceiver-be/
We’ve frequently talked about amateur radio on these pages, both in terms of the breadth of the hobby and the surprisingly low barrier to entry. It’s certainly the case that amateur radio does not have to mean endlessly calling CQ on SSB with an eye-wateringly expensive rig, and [Bill Meara …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/just-how-simple-can-a-transceiver-be/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/just-how-simple-can-a-transceiver-be/
We’ve frequently talked about amateur radio on these pages, both in terms of the breadth of the hobby and the surprisingly low barrier to entry. It’s certainly the case that amateur radio does not have to mean endlessly calling CQ on SSB with an eye-wateringly expensive rig, and [Bill Meara …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/just-how-simple-can-a-transceiver-be/)
Finally, A Usable Rotary Phone From A Conference Badge
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/finally-a-usable-rotary-phone-from-a-conference-badge/
A few weeks ago we featured a project from [Dan], a work-in-progress in which he was attaching an EMF 2018 electronic conference badge to a rotary phone. At the time we looked forward to his progress, expecting maybe to see it in our travels round the field at EMF 2021. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/finally-a-usable-rotary-phone-from-a-conference-badge/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/finally-a-usable-rotary-phone-from-a-conference-badge/
A few weeks ago we featured a project from [Dan], a work-in-progress in which he was attaching an EMF 2018 electronic conference badge to a rotary phone. At the time we looked forward to his progress, expecting maybe to see it in our travels round the field at EMF 2021. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/finally-a-usable-rotary-phone-from-a-conference-badge/)
Blackjack Game Plays With the Limits of PyPortal
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/blackjack-game-plays-with-the-limits-of-pyportal/
It’s that time of year again, when fall is quickly ushered out to make room for all things holiday-related. For many of us, this means going on trips to visit relatives, which, depending on the relatives, can mean soul-crushing boredom. [Andy] has fun relatives who frequent the casino tables, and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/blackjack-game-plays-with-the-limits-of-pyportal/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/blackjack-game-plays-with-the-limits-of-pyportal/
It’s that time of year again, when fall is quickly ushered out to make room for all things holiday-related. For many of us, this means going on trips to visit relatives, which, depending on the relatives, can mean soul-crushing boredom. [Andy] has fun relatives who frequent the casino tables, and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/blackjack-game-plays-with-the-limits-of-pyportal/)
Accessibility Apps Get Help from Bluetooth Buttons
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/accessibility-apps-get-help-from-bluetooth-buttons/
Ever hear of Microsoft Soundscape? We hadn’t, either. But apparently it and similar apps like Blindsquare provide people with vision problems context about their surroundings. The app is made to run in the background of the user’s mobile device and respond to media controls, but if you are navigating around …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/accessibility-apps-get-help-from-bluetooth-buttons/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/accessibility-apps-get-help-from-bluetooth-buttons/
Ever hear of Microsoft Soundscape? We hadn’t, either. But apparently it and similar apps like Blindsquare provide people with vision problems context about their surroundings. The app is made to run in the background of the user’s mobile device and respond to media controls, but if you are navigating around …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/accessibility-apps-get-help-from-bluetooth-buttons/)
An Atari Graphics Chip, Ready For You To Build
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/an-atari-graphics-chip-ready-for-you-to-build/
The most notable of the home computer and console hardware from the 8-bit golden era didn’t get their impressive sound and graphics from off-the-shelf silicon, instead they relied on secretive custom chipsets to get the edge over their competitors. Unfortunately for vintage gaming aficionados, those chips are now long out …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/an-atari-graphics-chip-ready-for-you-to-build/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/an-atari-graphics-chip-ready-for-you-to-build/
The most notable of the home computer and console hardware from the 8-bit golden era didn’t get their impressive sound and graphics from off-the-shelf silicon, instead they relied on secretive custom chipsets to get the edge over their competitors. Unfortunately for vintage gaming aficionados, those chips are now long out …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/an-atari-graphics-chip-ready-for-you-to-build/)
3D Print Your Very Own Mechanical Computer
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/3d-print-your-very-own-mechanical-computer/
Most Hackaday readers are familiar with computers from the 70s and 80s, but what about ones even older than that? The Digi Comp 1 was a commercially available computer from the 1960s that actually cost less than a modern-day microcontroller. The catch? It was mechanical rather than electrical. Thanks to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/3d-print-your-very-own-mechanical-computer/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/3d-print-your-very-own-mechanical-computer/
Most Hackaday readers are familiar with computers from the 70s and 80s, but what about ones even older than that? The Digi Comp 1 was a commercially available computer from the 1960s that actually cost less than a modern-day microcontroller. The catch? It was mechanical rather than electrical. Thanks to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/3d-print-your-very-own-mechanical-computer/)