Homemade Wall Stops Roomba and Other Vacuum Tricks
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/homemade-wall-stops-roomba-and-other-vacuum-tricks/
If you have a Roomba, you know they are handy. However, they do have a habit of getting into places you’d rather they avoid. You can get virtual walls which are just little IR beacons, but it is certainly possible to roll your own. That’s what [MKme] did and it …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/homemade-wall-stops-roomba-and-other-vacuum-tricks/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/homemade-wall-stops-roomba-and-other-vacuum-tricks/
If you have a Roomba, you know they are handy. However, they do have a habit of getting into places you’d rather they avoid. You can get virtual walls which are just little IR beacons, but it is certainly possible to roll your own. That’s what [MKme] did and it …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/homemade-wall-stops-roomba-and-other-vacuum-tricks/)
Hackaday Podcast 036: Camera Rig Makes CNC Jealous, Become Your Own Time Transmitter, Pi HiFi with 80s Vibe, DJ Xiaomi
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/hackaday-podcast-036-camera-rig-makes-cnc-jealous-become-your-own-time-transmitter-pi-hifi-with-80s-vibe-dj-xiaomi/
Hackaday Editors Elliot Williams and Mike Szczys work their way through a fantastic week of hacks. From a rideable tank tread to spoofing radio time servers and from tune-playing vacuum cleaners to an epic camera motion control system, there’s a lot to get caught up on. Plus, Elliot describes frequency …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/hackaday-podcast-036-camera-rig-makes-cnc-jealous-become-your-own-time-transmitter-pi-hifi-with-80s-vibe-dj-xiaomi/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/hackaday-podcast-036-camera-rig-makes-cnc-jealous-become-your-own-time-transmitter-pi-hifi-with-80s-vibe-dj-xiaomi/
Hackaday Editors Elliot Williams and Mike Szczys work their way through a fantastic week of hacks. From a rideable tank tread to spoofing radio time servers and from tune-playing vacuum cleaners to an epic camera motion control system, there’s a lot to get caught up on. Plus, Elliot describes frequency …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/hackaday-podcast-036-camera-rig-makes-cnc-jealous-become-your-own-time-transmitter-pi-hifi-with-80s-vibe-dj-xiaomi/)
A Stylish Home for your Next ESP Project
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/a-stylish-home-for-your-next-esp-project/
The ESP8266 and ESP32 are fast becoming the microcontroller of choice for, well, everything. But one particular area we’ve seen a lot of activity in recently is home automation; these boards make it so incredibly easy and cheap to get your projects online that putting together your own automation system …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/a-stylish-home-for-your-next-esp-project/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/a-stylish-home-for-your-next-esp-project/
The ESP8266 and ESP32 are fast becoming the microcontroller of choice for, well, everything. But one particular area we’ve seen a lot of activity in recently is home automation; these boards make it so incredibly easy and cheap to get your projects online that putting together your own automation system …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/a-stylish-home-for-your-next-esp-project/)
Fitness Tracker Hacked Into Optical Density Meter
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/fitness-tracker-hacked-into-optical-density-meter/
What do fitness trackers have to do with bacterial cultures in the lab? Absolutely nothing, unless and until someone turns a fitness band into a general-purpose optical densitometer for the lab.
This is one of those stories that shows that you never know from where inspiration is going to come. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/fitness-tracker-hacked-into-optical-density-meter/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/fitness-tracker-hacked-into-optical-density-meter/
What do fitness trackers have to do with bacterial cultures in the lab? Absolutely nothing, unless and until someone turns a fitness band into a general-purpose optical densitometer for the lab.
This is one of those stories that shows that you never know from where inspiration is going to come. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/fitness-tracker-hacked-into-optical-density-meter/)
RGB Lamp With Micro:Bit Powered Gesture Control
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/rgb-lamp-with-microbit-powered-gesture-control/
The Micro:bit is a very neat piece of hardware that, frankly, we don’t see enough of. Which made us all the more interested when [Manoj Nathwani] wrote in to tell us about the gorgeous 3D printed RGB LED lamp he created that uses the BBC-endorsed microcontroller to perform basic gesture …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/rgb-lamp-with-microbit-powered-gesture-control/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/rgb-lamp-with-microbit-powered-gesture-control/
The Micro:bit is a very neat piece of hardware that, frankly, we don’t see enough of. Which made us all the more interested when [Manoj Nathwani] wrote in to tell us about the gorgeous 3D printed RGB LED lamp he created that uses the BBC-endorsed microcontroller to perform basic gesture …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/rgb-lamp-with-microbit-powered-gesture-control/)
Meccano Max Gets Hacked
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/meccano-max-gets-hacked/
There are plenty of “smart” toys out in the marketplace, some with more features than others. Nevertheless, most makers desire complete control over a platform, something that’s often lacking in any commercial offering. It was just this desire that motivated [MrDreamBot] to start hacking the Meccano Max.
Meccano Max is …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/meccano-max-gets-hacked/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/meccano-max-gets-hacked/
There are plenty of “smart” toys out in the marketplace, some with more features than others. Nevertheless, most makers desire complete control over a platform, something that’s often lacking in any commercial offering. It was just this desire that motivated [MrDreamBot] to start hacking the Meccano Max.
Meccano Max is …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/meccano-max-gets-hacked/)
Steam Bike Rocks It Old-School
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/steam-bike-rocks-it-old-school/
Petrol engines dominate the world of the automobile, while electric propulsion races to take an ever larger market share. Despite this, some still hold a flame for steam power. Such aficionados would hold this build in high regard, from the recent past of 2014.
The bike is of a recumbent …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/steam-bike-rocks-it-old-school/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/steam-bike-rocks-it-old-school/
Petrol engines dominate the world of the automobile, while electric propulsion races to take an ever larger market share. Despite this, some still hold a flame for steam power. Such aficionados would hold this build in high regard, from the recent past of 2014.
The bike is of a recumbent …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/steam-bike-rocks-it-old-school/)
Flux Gate Magnetometers Make A Special Current Probe
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/flux-gate-magnetometers-make-a-special-current-probe/
There are moments when current measurement is required on conductors that can’t be broken to insert a series resistor, nor encircled with a current transformer. These measurements require a completely non-invasive technique, and to satisfy that demand there are commercial magnetometer current probes. These probes are however not for the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/flux-gate-magnetometers-make-a-special-current-probe/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/flux-gate-magnetometers-make-a-special-current-probe/
There are moments when current measurement is required on conductors that can’t be broken to insert a series resistor, nor encircled with a current transformer. These measurements require a completely non-invasive technique, and to satisfy that demand there are commercial magnetometer current probes. These probes are however not for the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/flux-gate-magnetometers-make-a-special-current-probe/)
Custom Game Pad Can Reprogram Itself
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/custom-game-pad-can-reprogram-itself/
In the heat of the moment, gamers live and die by the speed and user-friendliness of their input mechanisms. If you’re team PC, you have two controllers to worry about. Lots of times, players will choose a separate gaming keyboard over the all-purpose 104-banger type.
When [John Silvia]’s beloved Fang …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/custom-game-pad-can-reprogram-itself/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/custom-game-pad-can-reprogram-itself/
In the heat of the moment, gamers live and die by the speed and user-friendliness of their input mechanisms. If you’re team PC, you have two controllers to worry about. Lots of times, players will choose a separate gaming keyboard over the all-purpose 104-banger type.
When [John Silvia]’s beloved Fang …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/custom-game-pad-can-reprogram-itself/)
OpenLeg – The Open Source Robot Leg
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/openleg-the-open-source-robot-leg/
There’s an old saying about standing on the shoulders of giants, but how about doing so with an open source leg? Well, your robots might do so at least, thanks to OpenLeg, a new open source project for building robot legs. Created by [Joey Byrnes], this started out as a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/openleg-the-open-source-robot-leg/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/openleg-the-open-source-robot-leg/
There’s an old saying about standing on the shoulders of giants, but how about doing so with an open source leg? Well, your robots might do so at least, thanks to OpenLeg, a new open source project for building robot legs. Created by [Joey Byrnes], this started out as a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/openleg-the-open-source-robot-leg/)
[Mr. Carlson] Fixes a Fridge
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/mr-carlson-fixes-a-fridge/
A dead refrigerator is an occurrence determined to frustrate any homeowner. First there’s the discovery of hundreds of dollars in spoiled food, and then the cost of a repair call and the delay of the inevitable wait for parts. It’s clear to see why a hacker like [Mr. Carlson] would …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/mr-carlson-fixes-a-fridge/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/mr-carlson-fixes-a-fridge/
A dead refrigerator is an occurrence determined to frustrate any homeowner. First there’s the discovery of hundreds of dollars in spoiled food, and then the cost of a repair call and the delay of the inevitable wait for parts. It’s clear to see why a hacker like [Mr. Carlson] would …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/mr-carlson-fixes-a-fridge/)
Can You Read Me the Time?
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/can-you-read-me-the-time/
If you’re like the average clock user, you’ve probably gotten annoyed at reading analog clocks before. Typically, the solution is just to use a digital timepiece, but [sjm4306] has opted to make a small word clock that you can carry with you wherever you go to remind you of the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/can-you-read-me-the-time/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/can-you-read-me-the-time/
If you’re like the average clock user, you’ve probably gotten annoyed at reading analog clocks before. Typically, the solution is just to use a digital timepiece, but [sjm4306] has opted to make a small word clock that you can carry with you wherever you go to remind you of the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/can-you-read-me-the-time/)
Larger-Than-Life Game of Operation is the Future of Healthcare
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/larger-than-life-game-of-operation-is-the-future-of-healthcare/
It’s hard to beat the warm memories of Hasbro’s Operation, a game that boils down the fine art of surgery to removing farcically named plastic bones and organs. Just in case you can’t conjure up the memory, the game board looks just like this huge version of it, but normally …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/larger-than-life-game-of-operation-is-the-future-of-healthcare/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/larger-than-life-game-of-operation-is-the-future-of-healthcare/
It’s hard to beat the warm memories of Hasbro’s Operation, a game that boils down the fine art of surgery to removing farcically named plastic bones and organs. Just in case you can’t conjure up the memory, the game board looks just like this huge version of it, but normally …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/larger-than-life-game-of-operation-is-the-future-of-healthcare/)
Intelligent Control For That Cheap Diesel Heater
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/intelligent-control-for-that-cheap-diesel-heater/
If you own a caravan or a boat, you’ll know that keeping it warm can present something of a struggle. Open-flame gas heaters carry a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, while solid fuel stoves are heavy and require safe flues. The prospect of a diesel heater then is enticing, bringing …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/intelligent-control-for-that-cheap-diesel-heater/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/intelligent-control-for-that-cheap-diesel-heater/
If you own a caravan or a boat, you’ll know that keeping it warm can present something of a struggle. Open-flame gas heaters carry a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, while solid fuel stoves are heavy and require safe flues. The prospect of a diesel heater then is enticing, bringing …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/intelligent-control-for-that-cheap-diesel-heater/)
IoT Safe Keeps Latchkey Kids’ Phones on Lockdown
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/iot-safe-keeps-latchkey-kids-phones-on-lockdown/
Phones are pretty great. Used as telephones, they can save us from bad situations and let us communicate while roaming freely, for the most part. Used as computers, they often become time-sucking black holes that can twist our sense of self and reality. Assuming they pick up when you call, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/iot-safe-keeps-latchkey-kids-phones-on-lockdown/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/iot-safe-keeps-latchkey-kids-phones-on-lockdown/
Phones are pretty great. Used as telephones, they can save us from bad situations and let us communicate while roaming freely, for the most part. Used as computers, they often become time-sucking black holes that can twist our sense of self and reality. Assuming they pick up when you call, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/iot-safe-keeps-latchkey-kids-phones-on-lockdown/)
A Hard Rocking Arduino Visualization Shield
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/a-hard-rocking-arduino-visualization-shield/
Over the summer [ElectroSmash] put the finishing touches on the Arduino Audio Meter, a shield for the Arduino Uno that visualizes various aspects of an incoming audio signal on a set of four 8×8 LED dot matrices. Obsentisibly it’s for use on a guitar pedalboard, but thanks to the incredible …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/a-hard-rocking-arduino-visualization-shield/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/a-hard-rocking-arduino-visualization-shield/
Over the summer [ElectroSmash] put the finishing touches on the Arduino Audio Meter, a shield for the Arduino Uno that visualizes various aspects of an incoming audio signal on a set of four 8×8 LED dot matrices. Obsentisibly it’s for use on a guitar pedalboard, but thanks to the incredible …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/a-hard-rocking-arduino-visualization-shield/)
An Arduino Enhances This 7400 CPU
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/an-arduino-enhances-this-7400-cpu/
How quickly could you make an entire computer from 74 series logic, from scratch? [Richard Grafton had only 30 days until the UK’s Retro Computer Festival and set out to design and build his Cambridge-1 computer in that time. The result is a machine spread across several breadboards, with neatly …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/an-arduino-enhances-this-7400-cpu/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/an-arduino-enhances-this-7400-cpu/
How quickly could you make an entire computer from 74 series logic, from scratch? [Richard Grafton had only 30 days until the UK’s Retro Computer Festival and set out to design and build his Cambridge-1 computer in that time. The result is a machine spread across several breadboards, with neatly …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/an-arduino-enhances-this-7400-cpu/)
BeagleBone Deep Learning Video Demo
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/beaglebone-deep-learning-video-demo/
BeagleBoard often gets eclipsed by Raspberry Pi. Where the Pi focuses on ease-of-use, the BeagleBone generally has more power for hardcore applications. With machine learning AI all the rage now, BeagleBoard now has the BeagleBone AI, a board with specific features aimed at machine learning. A recent video (see below) …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/beaglebone-deep-learning-video-demo/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/beaglebone-deep-learning-video-demo/
BeagleBoard often gets eclipsed by Raspberry Pi. Where the Pi focuses on ease-of-use, the BeagleBone generally has more power for hardcore applications. With machine learning AI all the rage now, BeagleBoard now has the BeagleBone AI, a board with specific features aimed at machine learning. A recent video (see below) …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/beaglebone-deep-learning-video-demo/)
Watch Legged Robot Run Circles Around Its Bigger Brethren
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/watch-legged-robot-run-circles-around-its-bigger-brethren/
[Ben Katz] posted about bringing the Mini Cheetah (center, above) robot to the 2019 International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) held in Montréal, where it shared the floor with others for a workshop focusing on real-world deployment of legged robots. Those of you who haven’t been keeping up with …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/watch-legged-robot-run-circles-around-its-bigger-brethren/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/watch-legged-robot-run-circles-around-its-bigger-brethren/
[Ben Katz] posted about bringing the Mini Cheetah (center, above) robot to the 2019 International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) held in Montréal, where it shared the floor with others for a workshop focusing on real-world deployment of legged robots. Those of you who haven’t been keeping up with …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/watch-legged-robot-run-circles-around-its-bigger-brethren/)
Getting the Heat On with A Thermal Camera
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/getting-the-heat-on-with-a-thermal-camera/
Need a quick way to tell your temperature before work tomorrow? Student maker [The Marpe] recently fashioned a sleek home-use thermal camera that even looks like a point and shoot. It works as an Android hardware add-on by integrating the readings from a MLX90640 far-infrared (FIR) thermal sensor with a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/getting-the-heat-on-with-a-thermal-camera/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/getting-the-heat-on-with-a-thermal-camera/
Need a quick way to tell your temperature before work tomorrow? Student maker [The Marpe] recently fashioned a sleek home-use thermal camera that even looks like a point and shoot. It works as an Android hardware add-on by integrating the readings from a MLX90640 far-infrared (FIR) thermal sensor with a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/22/getting-the-heat-on-with-a-thermal-camera/)