Tracking Ants and Zapping Them With Lasers
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/05/tracking-ants-and-zapping-them-with-lasers/
Thanks to the wonders of neural networks and machine learning algorithms, it’s now possible to do things that were once thought to be inordinately difficult to achieve with computers. It’s a combination of the right techniques and piles of computing power that make such feats doable, and [Robert Bond’s] ant …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/05/tracking-ants-and-zapping-them-with-lasers/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/05/tracking-ants-and-zapping-them-with-lasers/
Thanks to the wonders of neural networks and machine learning algorithms, it’s now possible to do things that were once thought to be inordinately difficult to achieve with computers. It’s a combination of the right techniques and piles of computing power that make such feats doable, and [Robert Bond’s] ant …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/05/tracking-ants-and-zapping-them-with-lasers/)
This Hurricane Uses A Novel Technique
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/05/this-hurricane-uses-a-novel-technique/
You’ve probably heard of the brave pilots, the so-called ‘few’, that took to the air in their Supermarine Spitfires and saved the day during the Battle of Britain. It’s a story that contains a lot of truth, but as is so often the case, it masks a story with a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/05/this-hurricane-uses-a-novel-technique/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/05/this-hurricane-uses-a-novel-technique/
You’ve probably heard of the brave pilots, the so-called ‘few’, that took to the air in their Supermarine Spitfires and saved the day during the Battle of Britain. It’s a story that contains a lot of truth, but as is so often the case, it masks a story with a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/05/this-hurricane-uses-a-novel-technique/)
Upgrades Give Crazy Cart XL a Few More X’s
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/upgrades-give-crazy-cart-xl-a-few-more-xs/
Why should kids have all the newfangled fun? They shouldn’t! Quarter-life crises are on the rise, and those who can are spoiling their inner child with adult-sized Heelys and electric Mario Karts that can drift. [austiwawa] finally got his hands on a used Crazy Cart XL, and while it’s incredibly …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/upgrades-give-crazy-cart-xl-a-few-more-xs/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/upgrades-give-crazy-cart-xl-a-few-more-xs/
Why should kids have all the newfangled fun? They shouldn’t! Quarter-life crises are on the rise, and those who can are spoiling their inner child with adult-sized Heelys and electric Mario Karts that can drift. [austiwawa] finally got his hands on a used Crazy Cart XL, and while it’s incredibly …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/upgrades-give-crazy-cart-xl-a-few-more-xs/)
DIY Clapper Lets You Pick Your Components
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/diy-clapper-lets-you-pick-your-components/
One thing that always means the end of the year is close is the reappearance of TV ads for “The Clapper.” After all, who needs home automation when you can clap on and clap off? While we’re partial to our usual home automation solutions, [Utsource123] shows us that building a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/diy-clapper-lets-you-pick-your-components/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/diy-clapper-lets-you-pick-your-components/
One thing that always means the end of the year is close is the reappearance of TV ads for “The Clapper.” After all, who needs home automation when you can clap on and clap off? While we’re partial to our usual home automation solutions, [Utsource123] shows us that building a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/diy-clapper-lets-you-pick-your-components/)
Building a Cyberpunk Multi-Touch Input Device
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/building-a-cyberpunk-multi-touch-input-device/
This multi-touch touch panel built by [thiagesh D] might look like it came from the retro-futuristic worlds of Blade Runner or Alien, but thanks to a detailed build video and a fairly short list of required parts, it could be your next weekend project.
The build starts with a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/building-a-cyberpunk-multi-touch-input-device/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/building-a-cyberpunk-multi-touch-input-device/
This multi-touch touch panel built by [thiagesh D] might look like it came from the retro-futuristic worlds of Blade Runner or Alien, but thanks to a detailed build video and a fairly short list of required parts, it could be your next weekend project.
The build starts with a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/building-a-cyberpunk-multi-touch-input-device/)
A Modular Ecosystem That Evolved Around A Simple Diesel Engine
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/a-modular-ecosystem-that-evolved-around-a-simple-diesel-engine/
High volume commodity products are a foundation of hacking, we’ve built many projects around popular form factors like NEMA 17 stepper motors, 608 bearings, and 280 DC motors. Their high volume led to lower cost, which further increased popularity, and the cycle repeats. A similar thing happened to a style …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/a-modular-ecosystem-that-evolved-around-a-simple-diesel-engine/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/a-modular-ecosystem-that-evolved-around-a-simple-diesel-engine/
High volume commodity products are a foundation of hacking, we’ve built many projects around popular form factors like NEMA 17 stepper motors, 608 bearings, and 280 DC motors. Their high volume led to lower cost, which further increased popularity, and the cycle repeats. A similar thing happened to a style …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/a-modular-ecosystem-that-evolved-around-a-simple-diesel-engine/)
Soldering Your Own Soldering Iron
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/soldering-your-own-soldering-iron/
A device that even DIY enthusiasts don’t usually think to DIY is the humble soldering iron. Yet, that’s exactly what one Hackaday.io user did by building a USB-powered soldering pen with better performance than a $5 Chinese soldering pen.
The project draws inspiration from another Weller RT tip-based soldering pen …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/soldering-your-own-soldering-iron/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/soldering-your-own-soldering-iron/
A device that even DIY enthusiasts don’t usually think to DIY is the humble soldering iron. Yet, that’s exactly what one Hackaday.io user did by building a USB-powered soldering pen with better performance than a $5 Chinese soldering pen.
The project draws inspiration from another Weller RT tip-based soldering pen …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/soldering-your-own-soldering-iron/)
Hackaday Links: October 6, 2019
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/hackaday-links-october-6-2019/
“If you or someone you love has been exposed to questionable quality electrolytic capacitors, you could be entitled to financial compensation.” Perhaps that’s not exactly the pitch behind this class action lawsuit against capacitor manufacturers, but it might as well be. The suit claims that the defendants, a group of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/hackaday-links-october-6-2019/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/hackaday-links-october-6-2019/
“If you or someone you love has been exposed to questionable quality electrolytic capacitors, you could be entitled to financial compensation.” Perhaps that’s not exactly the pitch behind this class action lawsuit against capacitor manufacturers, but it might as well be. The suit claims that the defendants, a group of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/hackaday-links-october-6-2019/)
Professional Audio on an ESP32
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/professional-audio-on-an-esp32/
Audiophiles have worked diligently to alert the rest of the world to products with superior sound quality, and to warn us away from expensive gimmicks that have middling features at best. Unfortunately, the downside of most high quality audio equipment is the sticker price. But with some soldering skills and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/professional-audio-on-an-esp32/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/professional-audio-on-an-esp32/
Audiophiles have worked diligently to alert the rest of the world to products with superior sound quality, and to warn us away from expensive gimmicks that have middling features at best. Unfortunately, the downside of most high quality audio equipment is the sticker price. But with some soldering skills and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/professional-audio-on-an-esp32/)
2D-Scanner Records Surfboard Profiles for Posterity
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/2d-scanner-records-surfboard-profiles-for-posterity/
[Ryan Schenk] had a problem: he built the perfect surfboard. Normally that wouldn’t present a problem, but in this case, it did because [Ryan] had no idea how he carved the gentle curves on the bottom of the board. So he built this homebrew 2D-scanner to make the job of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/2d-scanner-records-surfboard-profiles-for-posterity/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/2d-scanner-records-surfboard-profiles-for-posterity/
[Ryan Schenk] had a problem: he built the perfect surfboard. Normally that wouldn’t present a problem, but in this case, it did because [Ryan] had no idea how he carved the gentle curves on the bottom of the board. So he built this homebrew 2D-scanner to make the job of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/06/2d-scanner-records-surfboard-profiles-for-posterity/)
PVC Pipe Turned Portable Bluetooth Speaker
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/pvc-pipe-turned-portable-bluetooth-speaker/
We’ve always felt that sections of PVC pipe from the home improvement store are a criminally underutilized construction material, and it looks like [Troy Proffitt] feels the same way. Rather than trying to entirely 3D print the enclosure for his recently completed portable Bluetooth speaker, he combined printed parts with …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/pvc-pipe-turned-portable-bluetooth-speaker/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/pvc-pipe-turned-portable-bluetooth-speaker/
We’ve always felt that sections of PVC pipe from the home improvement store are a criminally underutilized construction material, and it looks like [Troy Proffitt] feels the same way. Rather than trying to entirely 3D print the enclosure for his recently completed portable Bluetooth speaker, he combined printed parts with …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/pvc-pipe-turned-portable-bluetooth-speaker/)
Make “Wireless” Earbuds Truly Wireless
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/make-wireless-earbuds-truly-wireless/
[Don] bought some off-brand Bluetooth earbuds online that actually sound pretty good. But while it’s true that they don’t require wires for listening to tunes, the little storage/charging box they sleep in definitely has a micro USB port around back. Ergo, they are not truly wireless. So [Don] took it …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/make-wireless-earbuds-truly-wireless/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/make-wireless-earbuds-truly-wireless/
[Don] bought some off-brand Bluetooth earbuds online that actually sound pretty good. But while it’s true that they don’t require wires for listening to tunes, the little storage/charging box they sleep in definitely has a micro USB port around back. Ergo, they are not truly wireless. So [Don] took it …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/make-wireless-earbuds-truly-wireless/)
Better Battery Management Through Chemistry
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/better-battery-management-through-chemistry/
The lead-acid rechargeable battery is a not-quite-modern marvel. Super reliable and easy to use, charging it is just a matter of applying a fixed voltage to it and waiting a while; eventually the battery is charged and stays topped off, and that’s it. Their ease is countered by their size, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/better-battery-management-through-chemistry/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/better-battery-management-through-chemistry/
The lead-acid rechargeable battery is a not-quite-modern marvel. Super reliable and easy to use, charging it is just a matter of applying a fixed voltage to it and waiting a while; eventually the battery is charged and stays topped off, and that’s it. Their ease is countered by their size, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/better-battery-management-through-chemistry/)
Designing Sci-Fi Hack Chat
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/designing-sci-fi-hack-chat/
Join us on Wednesday, October 9 at noon Pacific for the Designing Sci-Fi Hack Chat with Seth Molson!
We all know the feeling of watching a movie set in a galaxy far, far away and seeing something that makes us say, “That’s not realistic at all!” The irony of watching …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/designing-sci-fi-hack-chat/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/designing-sci-fi-hack-chat/
Join us on Wednesday, October 9 at noon Pacific for the Designing Sci-Fi Hack Chat with Seth Molson!
We all know the feeling of watching a movie set in a galaxy far, far away and seeing something that makes us say, “That’s not realistic at all!” The irony of watching …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/designing-sci-fi-hack-chat/)
Raspberry Pi Ham Radio Remote Reviewed
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/raspberry-pi-ham-radio-remote-reviewed/
One problem with ham radio these days is that most hams live where you can’t put a big old antenna up due to city laws and homeowner covenants. If you’re just working local stations on VHF or UHF, that might not be a big problem. But for HF usage, using …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/raspberry-pi-ham-radio-remote-reviewed/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/raspberry-pi-ham-radio-remote-reviewed/
One problem with ham radio these days is that most hams live where you can’t put a big old antenna up due to city laws and homeowner covenants. If you’re just working local stations on VHF or UHF, that might not be a big problem. But for HF usage, using …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/raspberry-pi-ham-radio-remote-reviewed/)
Ask Hackaday: What’s The Perfect Hacker Smart Watch?
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/ask-hackaday-whats-the-perfect-hacker-smart-watch/
Since Dick Tracy all the way back in ’46, smart watches have captured the public imagination. After several false starts, the technology has gone through a renaissance in the last 10 years or so. For the average consumer, there’s been a proliferation of hardware in the marketplace, with scores of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/ask-hackaday-whats-the-perfect-hacker-smart-watch/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/ask-hackaday-whats-the-perfect-hacker-smart-watch/
Since Dick Tracy all the way back in ’46, smart watches have captured the public imagination. After several false starts, the technology has gone through a renaissance in the last 10 years or so. For the average consumer, there’s been a proliferation of hardware in the marketplace, with scores of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/ask-hackaday-whats-the-perfect-hacker-smart-watch/)
Dry Your Clothes In One Minute or Less
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/dry-your-clothes-in-one-minute-or-less/
If you’re like most people, then washing clothes is probably a huge pain for you. Figuring out the odd number of minutes necessary to run a wash and dry cycle, trying desperately not to end up with clothes that are still wet, and worst of all having to wait so …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/dry-your-clothes-in-one-minute-or-less/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/dry-your-clothes-in-one-minute-or-less/
If you’re like most people, then washing clothes is probably a huge pain for you. Figuring out the odd number of minutes necessary to run a wash and dry cycle, trying desperately not to end up with clothes that are still wet, and worst of all having to wait so …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/dry-your-clothes-in-one-minute-or-less/)
Tacking Against The Sun: Flying A Batteryless Solar RC Plane Is Almost Like Sailing
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/tacking-against-the-sun-flying-a-batteryless-solar-rc-plane-is-almost-like-sailing/
Flying on the power of the sun is definitely not a new idea, but it usually involves a battery between the solar panels and the propulsion system. [ukanduit] decided to lose the battery completely and control the speed of the motor with the output of the solar panels. This leads …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/tacking-against-the-sun-flying-a-batteryless-solar-rc-plane-is-almost-like-sailing/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/tacking-against-the-sun-flying-a-batteryless-solar-rc-plane-is-almost-like-sailing/
Flying on the power of the sun is definitely not a new idea, but it usually involves a battery between the solar panels and the propulsion system. [ukanduit] decided to lose the battery completely and control the speed of the motor with the output of the solar panels. This leads …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/tacking-against-the-sun-flying-a-batteryless-solar-rc-plane-is-almost-like-sailing/)
A Bootable Greeting For The Xenomorph In Your Life
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/a-bootable-greeting-for-the-xenomorph-in-your-life/
When he needed a gift for his Alien superfan friend, [Stephen Brennan] decided the best way to put his unique set of skills to use would be to create a bootable Linux operating system that captures the sights and sounds of the Nostromo’s retro-futuristic computer systems. We could all use …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/a-bootable-greeting-for-the-xenomorph-in-your-life/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/a-bootable-greeting-for-the-xenomorph-in-your-life/
When he needed a gift for his Alien superfan friend, [Stephen Brennan] decided the best way to put his unique set of skills to use would be to create a bootable Linux operating system that captures the sights and sounds of the Nostromo’s retro-futuristic computer systems. We could all use …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/a-bootable-greeting-for-the-xenomorph-in-your-life/)
An Apartment-Hunting AI
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/an-apartment-hunting-ai/
Finding a good apartment is a lot of work and includes searching websites for available places and then cross-referencing with a list of characteristics. This can take hours, days or even months but in a world where cars drive themselves, it is possible to use machine learning in your hunt. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/an-apartment-hunting-ai/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/an-apartment-hunting-ai/
Finding a good apartment is a lot of work and includes searching websites for available places and then cross-referencing with a list of characteristics. This can take hours, days or even months but in a world where cars drive themselves, it is possible to use machine learning in your hunt. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/an-apartment-hunting-ai/)