Complex Hacks

RGB Spinning Display

Brad from Brads Electronic Projects shows us how to make 8 RGB LEDs create a large circular display. He uses a spread sheet to create the HEX data that the PIC microcontroller will be using to turn on the RGB LEDs to make the system display what you would like but the display data is stored on an EPROM to allow for large moving displays. Reminds me a bit of

RGB LED Tetris Game

Stanislav Ponomarev has been working hard with his NerdKit Microcontroller. He developed an impressive RGB LED Tetris Game. I think this version is probably more fun than the original version. 🙂 I could just imagine scaling this up and playing it on the side of an apartment building with each window acting as a pixel of the game. Stanislav will send in the code and schematics as soon as they

Inside the Microsoft Kinect

iFixit has cracked open a Microsoft Kinect and wow is there a ton of technology packed in there. This sensor bar is the total opposite of the Wii Sensor Bar which has virtually no tech in it. After seeing what makes the Kinect tick I totally understand why Adafruit Industries has offered a $2000 bounty for the first person to write some open source drivers for the Kinect. I have

Typewriter automated using Solenoids

Remember ZORK? Take a look at this typewriter which has been automated by hooking up tons of electro-mechanical goodness to an old typewriter! Thanks for the tip Jack. “Each key is attached by fishing line to a solenoid, an electromechanical device that pulls down when electric current is passed through it. The solenoids sit behind and underneath the typewriter in a multi-layer structure. The solenoids are connected to a MOSFET,

Mr. T Flying Halloween Ghost

Wow, check out this cool Mr. T Flying Halloween Ghost. This contraption is guaranteed to put the scare into some kids in your neighborhood! Have a close look at the ghost above, those aren’t fancy shoulder pads, those are helicopter blades. With a bit of electronic magic this ghost can fly through the sky. 🙂 Thanks Michael. “Mr. T is a built on a very simple aluminum frame. There are

Lightning Simulator Project

Saying this project is a Lightning Simulator is a bit of an understatement since it is also a breathalyzer, a music light show and much more. It’s setup on an outdoor patio and looks like it is tons of fun! Check out the build log for lots more information on this complex build. Via: Make “The project also needed sound for the Breathalyzer feature as well as some of the