January 2011

Name the Thing Contest - 164

Thanks to OpenPicus for sponsoring the contest this week. They will be providing a FlyPort Wi-Fi Picus module and USB StarterKit Nest that we just featured to the winner. “FlyPort WIFI module has enough processing power and memory space to let you: Manage sensors Manage actuators Create micro webservers Create complex network of sensors/actuators based on the existing WIFI networks” This contest will run for one week (January 22 –

Hide Goodies in a Secret Dice - Atmega88 Microcontroller Based

Deddie Lab has two interesting Secret Dice projects, this one is the original but there is also a metal one that Deddie has since made. The object is to get inside the box, no smashing the box on the ground doesn’t count. The boxes have a secret code stored in them, to enter the secret code you must tilt the box in the correct ways to enter the code. When

H. P. Friedrichs Pipsqueak Receiver Build

Thanks to Pete Friedrichs for sending in his Pipsqueak Receiver Build. I love the fact that it has been built from parts scavenged out of his junk box. At first glance I would not have guessed that it was built from junk since it has a nice kit look to it. I have never seen a spiderweb coil before, it looks absolutely fantastic. I should add one to my next

OpenPicus IDE and Framework is now available

Looking for a powerful open source PIC microcontroller based platform that is built with wireless sensors and communication in mind? Look no further, today OpenPicus has been launched. A free IDE,  inexpensive hardware and a great Italian team all points to great success. If you are a student make sure you have your microcontroller instructor drop the OpenPicus team an email requesting your free Campus Kit. Next time I am

Paro Therapeutic Robot at CES 2011

The Paro Therapeutic Robot was at CES 2011. This looks like a toy that your kids would play with but it is actually a very sophisticated robot. It is full of sensors that allow it to sense touch, bright lights and voice. Just like a pet you can call Paro by name and he will eventually relate that name to be his name. Paro is used in nursing homes, hospitals,

Ecotricity PS1800S Portable Solar Generator at CES 2011

At CES 2011 we had a look at the best solution for power on the go. The Ecotricity PS1800S Portable Solar Generator will charge fast because of the large solar cell and it will provide tons of standby power because it has a 12 volt 60Ah sealed lead acid battery. The system is a simple to use because of the sealed controller to which you only need to connect to

University of New South Wales Sunswift Solar Car Breaks Speed Record

Congratulations to the University of New South Wales Sunswift Solar Car team. They have broken the record for fastest solar powered vehicle with a speed of 88 km/h. Via: Eco Friend and Gizmag “UNSW’s Sunswift team has broken a long-standing land speed record for solar vehicles, with a Guinness-verified top speed of 88 km/h. Project manager Daniel Friedman takes us through the record attempt, which involved a team of UNSW