“The Thing”: A Homemade FPGA Board
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/the-thing-a-homemade-fpga-board/
The Thing is an unassuming name for an ambitious project to build an FPGA board from easy to find components.
The project stems from an earlier build submitted to the 2018 Hackaday Prize by [Just4Fun] where two dev boards – an STM32-based Arduino and an Altera MAX II CPLD board …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/the-thing-a-homemade-fpga-board/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/the-thing-a-homemade-fpga-board/
The Thing is an unassuming name for an ambitious project to build an FPGA board from easy to find components.
The project stems from an earlier build submitted to the 2018 Hackaday Prize by [Just4Fun] where two dev boards – an STM32-based Arduino and an Altera MAX II CPLD board …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/the-thing-a-homemade-fpga-board/)
Balance Box Game Requires A Steady Hand
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/balance-box-game-requires-a-steady-hand/
In the distant past, engineers used exotic devices to measure orientation, such as large mechanical gyros and mercury tilt switches. These are all still useful methods, but for many applications MEMS motions devices have become the gold standard. When [g199] set out to build their Balance Box game, it was …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/balance-box-game-requires-a-steady-hand/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/balance-box-game-requires-a-steady-hand/
In the distant past, engineers used exotic devices to measure orientation, such as large mechanical gyros and mercury tilt switches. These are all still useful methods, but for many applications MEMS motions devices have become the gold standard. When [g199] set out to build their Balance Box game, it was …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/balance-box-game-requires-a-steady-hand/)
Open-Source Arm Puts Robotics Within Reach
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/open-source-arm-puts-robotics-within-reach/
In November 2017, we showed you [Chris Annin]’s open-source 6-DOF robot arm. Since then he’s been improving the arm and making it more accessible for anyone who doesn’t get to play with industrial robots all day at work. The biggest improvement is that AR2 had a closed-loop control system, and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/open-source-arm-puts-robotics-within-reach/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/open-source-arm-puts-robotics-within-reach/
In November 2017, we showed you [Chris Annin]’s open-source 6-DOF robot arm. Since then he’s been improving the arm and making it more accessible for anyone who doesn’t get to play with industrial robots all day at work. The biggest improvement is that AR2 had a closed-loop control system, and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/open-source-arm-puts-robotics-within-reach/)
Bluetooth Control With Chrome
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/bluetooth-control-with-chrome/
All the cool projects now can connect to a computer or phone for control, right? But it is a pain to create an app to run on different platforms to talk to your project. [Kevin Darrah] says no and shows how you can use Google Chrome to do the dirty …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/bluetooth-control-with-chrome/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/bluetooth-control-with-chrome/
All the cool projects now can connect to a computer or phone for control, right? But it is a pain to create an app to run on different platforms to talk to your project. [Kevin Darrah] says no and shows how you can use Google Chrome to do the dirty …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/bluetooth-control-with-chrome/)
Robot Allows Remote Colleagues To Enjoy Office Shenanigans
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/robot-allows-remote-colleagues-to-enjoy-office-shenanigans/
[Esther Rietmann] and colleagues built a Telepresence Robot to allow work at home teammates to have a virtual, but physical presence in the office. A telepresence robot is like a tablet mounted on a Roomba, providing motion capability in addition to an audio/video connection. Built during a 48 hour hackathon, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/robot-allows-remote-colleagues-to-enjoy-office-shenanigans/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/robot-allows-remote-colleagues-to-enjoy-office-shenanigans/
[Esther Rietmann] and colleagues built a Telepresence Robot to allow work at home teammates to have a virtual, but physical presence in the office. A telepresence robot is like a tablet mounted on a Roomba, providing motion capability in addition to an audio/video connection. Built during a 48 hour hackathon, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/17/robot-allows-remote-colleagues-to-enjoy-office-shenanigans/)
Next Level Spirit Level is On the Level
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/next-level-spirit-level-is-on-the-level/
Miss your shot and scratch on the eight ball? It’s natural to blame the table for not being level so you can save face, but in all likelihood, you’re probably right. [Huygens Optics]’s father never misses a billiards shot on his home table, until one day he did. [Huygens Optics] …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/next-level-spirit-level-is-on-the-level/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/next-level-spirit-level-is-on-the-level/
Miss your shot and scratch on the eight ball? It’s natural to blame the table for not being level so you can save face, but in all likelihood, you’re probably right. [Huygens Optics]’s father never misses a billiards shot on his home table, until one day he did. [Huygens Optics] …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/next-level-spirit-level-is-on-the-level/)
Lessons Learned Building a DIY Rebreather
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/lessons-learned-building-a-diy-rebreather/
While the homebrew rebreather the [AyLo] describes on his blog looks exceptionally well engineered and is documented to a level we don’t often see, he still makes it very clear that he’s not suggesting you actually build one yourself. He’s very upfront about the fact that he has no formal …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/lessons-learned-building-a-diy-rebreather/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/lessons-learned-building-a-diy-rebreather/
While the homebrew rebreather the [AyLo] describes on his blog looks exceptionally well engineered and is documented to a level we don’t often see, he still makes it very clear that he’s not suggesting you actually build one yourself. He’s very upfront about the fact that he has no formal …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/lessons-learned-building-a-diy-rebreather/)
This Week in Security: A Digital Café Américain, The Linux Bugs That Weren’t, The Great Nation, and More
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/this-week-in-security-a-digital-cafe-americain-the-linux-bugs-that-werent-the-great-nation-and-more/
A government is going after a human rights activists in Morocco. It sounds familiar, but I don’t think Humphrey Bogart is running the gin joint this time around.
Questionable Casablanca references aside, Amnesty International has reported another attack against human rights workers. In this case, a pair of Moroccan activists …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/this-week-in-security-a-digital-cafe-americain-the-linux-bugs-that-werent-the-great-nation-and-more/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/this-week-in-security-a-digital-cafe-americain-the-linux-bugs-that-werent-the-great-nation-and-more/
A government is going after a human rights activists in Morocco. It sounds familiar, but I don’t think Humphrey Bogart is running the gin joint this time around.
Questionable Casablanca references aside, Amnesty International has reported another attack against human rights workers. In this case, a pair of Moroccan activists …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/this-week-in-security-a-digital-cafe-americain-the-linux-bugs-that-werent-the-great-nation-and-more/)
The True Cost of Multimeters
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/the-true-cost-of-multimeters/
If you are building a home shop, it is common to try to get the cheapest gear you can possibly get. However, professionals often look at TCO or total cost of ownership. Buying a cheap car, for example, can cost more in the long run compared to buying an expensive …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/the-true-cost-of-multimeters/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/the-true-cost-of-multimeters/
If you are building a home shop, it is common to try to get the cheapest gear you can possibly get. However, professionals often look at TCO or total cost of ownership. Buying a cheap car, for example, can cost more in the long run compared to buying an expensive …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/the-true-cost-of-multimeters/)
Hackaday Podcast 040: 3D Printed Everything, Strength v Toughness, Blades of Fiber, and What Can’t Coffee Do?
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/hackaday-podcast-040-3d-printed-everything-strength-v-toughness-blades-of-fiber-and-what-cant-coffee-do/
Hackaday Editors Mike Szczys and Elliot Williams opine on the coolest hacks we saw this week. This episode is heavy with 3D printing as Prusa released a new, smaller printer, printed gearboxes continue to impress us with their power and design, hoverboards are turned into tanks, and researchers suggest you …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/hackaday-podcast-040-3d-printed-everything-strength-v-toughness-blades-of-fiber-and-what-cant-coffee-do/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/hackaday-podcast-040-3d-printed-everything-strength-v-toughness-blades-of-fiber-and-what-cant-coffee-do/
Hackaday Editors Mike Szczys and Elliot Williams opine on the coolest hacks we saw this week. This episode is heavy with 3D printing as Prusa released a new, smaller printer, printed gearboxes continue to impress us with their power and design, hoverboards are turned into tanks, and researchers suggest you …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/hackaday-podcast-040-3d-printed-everything-strength-v-toughness-blades-of-fiber-and-what-cant-coffee-do/)
Speakers Taking the Stage at Supercon Plus a Hint of the Hacking to Come
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/speakers-taking-the-stage-at-supercon-plus-a-hint-of-the-hacking-to-come/
Four weeks from today the Hackaday Superconference comes alive for the fifth year. From engineering in challenging environments to elevating the art form of electronics, here are nine more talks that will make this a year to remember.
In addition to the slate of speakers below there are three other …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/speakers-taking-the-stage-at-supercon-plus-a-hint-of-the-hacking-to-come/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/speakers-taking-the-stage-at-supercon-plus-a-hint-of-the-hacking-to-come/
Four weeks from today the Hackaday Superconference comes alive for the fifth year. From engineering in challenging environments to elevating the art form of electronics, here are nine more talks that will make this a year to remember.
In addition to the slate of speakers below there are three other …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/speakers-taking-the-stage-at-supercon-plus-a-hint-of-the-hacking-to-come/)
Replacing the 3D Printer and Router: A Tool for Manufacturing Human-Scale Forms
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/replacing-the-3d-printer-and-router-a-tool-for-manufacturing-human-scale-forms/
The purpose of Geometer becomes apparent when you realize its simplicity: [David Troetschel]’s project is to create an easily understandable design tool that encourages goal-oriented design. The kit comes with physical components and digital counterparts that can be combined in a modular way. They each have a specific geometry, which …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/replacing-the-3d-printer-and-router-a-tool-for-manufacturing-human-scale-forms/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/replacing-the-3d-printer-and-router-a-tool-for-manufacturing-human-scale-forms/
The purpose of Geometer becomes apparent when you realize its simplicity: [David Troetschel]’s project is to create an easily understandable design tool that encourages goal-oriented design. The kit comes with physical components and digital counterparts that can be combined in a modular way. They each have a specific geometry, which …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/replacing-the-3d-printer-and-router-a-tool-for-manufacturing-human-scale-forms/)
USB Power Delivery For All The Things
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/usb-power-delivery-for-all-the-things/
The promise of USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) is that we’ll eventually be able to power all our gadgets, at least the ones that draw less than 100 watts anyway, with just one adapter. Considering most of us are the proud owners of a box filled with assorted AC/DC adapters in …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/usb-power-delivery-for-all-the-things/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/usb-power-delivery-for-all-the-things/
The promise of USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) is that we’ll eventually be able to power all our gadgets, at least the ones that draw less than 100 watts anyway, with just one adapter. Considering most of us are the proud owners of a box filled with assorted AC/DC adapters in …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/usb-power-delivery-for-all-the-things/)
A Low-Power Solution To Streamlining Sensor Data For IoT
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/a-low-power-solution-to-streamlining-sensor-data-for-iot/
For home use IoT systems, getting sensor data from tons of physical locations centralized to a single Raspberry Pi can be a difficult job, especially when considering the power consumption that’s necessary for doing it all over WiFi. When you’re using an ESP8266, for instance, swapping out batteries and accounting …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/a-low-power-solution-to-streamlining-sensor-data-for-iot/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/a-low-power-solution-to-streamlining-sensor-data-for-iot/
For home use IoT systems, getting sensor data from tons of physical locations centralized to a single Raspberry Pi can be a difficult job, especially when considering the power consumption that’s necessary for doing it all over WiFi. When you’re using an ESP8266, for instance, swapping out batteries and accounting …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/a-low-power-solution-to-streamlining-sensor-data-for-iot/)
Revisiting The BlackHat Hack: How A Security Conference Was Pwned
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/revisiting-the-blackhat-hack-how-a-security-conference-was-pwned/
Does anyone remember the Black Hat BCard hack in 2018? This hack has been documented extensively, most notoriously by [NinjaStyle] in his original blog post revealing the circumstances around discovering the vulnerability. The breach ended up revealing the names, email addresses, phone numbers, and personal details of every single conference …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/revisiting-the-blackhat-hack-how-a-security-conference-was-pwned/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/revisiting-the-blackhat-hack-how-a-security-conference-was-pwned/
Does anyone remember the Black Hat BCard hack in 2018? This hack has been documented extensively, most notoriously by [NinjaStyle] in his original blog post revealing the circumstances around discovering the vulnerability. The breach ended up revealing the names, email addresses, phone numbers, and personal details of every single conference …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/revisiting-the-blackhat-hack-how-a-security-conference-was-pwned/)
Miss Nothing With A Hacked 360 Degree Camera Trap
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/miss-nothing-with-a-hacked-360-degree-camera-trap/
Camera traps are a very common tool in wildlife conservation and research, but placing and pointing them correctly can be a bit of a guessing game. Something very interesting could happen just out of frame and you’d be none the wiser. The [Andrew Quitmeyer] and [Danielle Hoogendijk] at DINALABS (Digital …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/miss-nothing-with-a-hacked-360-degree-camera-trap/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/miss-nothing-with-a-hacked-360-degree-camera-trap/
Camera traps are a very common tool in wildlife conservation and research, but placing and pointing them correctly can be a bit of a guessing game. Something very interesting could happen just out of frame and you’d be none the wiser. The [Andrew Quitmeyer] and [Danielle Hoogendijk] at DINALABS (Digital …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/18/miss-nothing-with-a-hacked-360-degree-camera-trap/)
File Compression By Steganography
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/19/file-compression-by-steganography/
In a world with finite storage and an infinite need for more storage space, data compression becomes a very necessary problem. Several algorithms for data compression may be more familiar – Huffman coding, LZW compression – and some a bit more arcane.
[Labunsky] decided to put to use his knowledge …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/19/file-compression-by-steganography/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/19/file-compression-by-steganography/
In a world with finite storage and an infinite need for more storage space, data compression becomes a very necessary problem. Several algorithms for data compression may be more familiar – Huffman coding, LZW compression – and some a bit more arcane.
[Labunsky] decided to put to use his knowledge …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/19/file-compression-by-steganography/)
Converting a Tesla to a Pickup Truck
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/19/converting-a-tesla-to-a-pickup-truck/
The renowned inventor of useless robots [Simone Giertz] has outdone herself this time. She, along with a team of engineers featuring [Rich Rebuilds], [Laura Kampf], and [Marcos Ramirez], recently decided to convert a Tesla into a pickup truck, and make a video along the way, all while salvaging what remains …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/19/converting-a-tesla-to-a-pickup-truck/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/19/converting-a-tesla-to-a-pickup-truck/
The renowned inventor of useless robots [Simone Giertz] has outdone herself this time. She, along with a team of engineers featuring [Rich Rebuilds], [Laura Kampf], and [Marcos Ramirez], recently decided to convert a Tesla into a pickup truck, and make a video along the way, all while salvaging what remains …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/19/converting-a-tesla-to-a-pickup-truck/)
There’s more to the 3D print than the eye can see
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/19/theres-more-to-the-3d-print-than-the-eye-can-see/
If you thought CADing designs for 3D printing was hard enough, wait until you hear about this .stl trick.
[Angus] of Maker’s Muse recently demoed a method for creating hidden geometries in .stl files that are only revealed during the slicing process before a 3D print. (Video, embedded below.) The …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/19/theres-more-to-the-3d-print-than-the-eye-can-see/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/19/theres-more-to-the-3d-print-than-the-eye-can-see/
If you thought CADing designs for 3D printing was hard enough, wait until you hear about this .stl trick.
[Angus] of Maker’s Muse recently demoed a method for creating hidden geometries in .stl files that are only revealed during the slicing process before a 3D print. (Video, embedded below.) The …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/19/theres-more-to-the-3d-print-than-the-eye-can-see/)
Customizing Xiaomi ARM Cortex-M Firmware
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/19/customizing-xiaomi-arm-cortex-m-firmware/
This hack was revealed a while ago at DEFCON26, but it’s still a fascinating look into vulnerabilities that affect some of the most widely used IoT devices.
[Dennis Giese] figured out a way to modify ARM Cortex-M based firmware for use in customizing the functionality of devices or removing access …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/19/customizing-xiaomi-arm-cortex-m-firmware/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/19/customizing-xiaomi-arm-cortex-m-firmware/
This hack was revealed a while ago at DEFCON26, but it’s still a fascinating look into vulnerabilities that affect some of the most widely used IoT devices.
[Dennis Giese] figured out a way to modify ARM Cortex-M based firmware for use in customizing the functionality of devices or removing access …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/19/customizing-xiaomi-arm-cortex-m-firmware/)