One way to learn lots about a protocol is by implementing a bit banged version. Openschemes shares with us his experimentation with the Arduino and the FT232 chip. "We’ve been considering the synchronous bit bang mode of the FT232R for an upcoming project. The first steps towards something like this are always to build up a little debug board or test bench that can be used for debug and
PJMonty from SoCalHalloween sure knows how to rig up some great animatronics! The bird and talking skull are funny and spooky at the same time! This project was entered in the Halloween Project Contest, which by the way there is still time to enter. Via: HG Forum "The electronics consist of two custom circuit boards I designed. The bottom one (most of which is obscured) contains the micro-controller and
Piezoelectric elements can be used to make sound or detect sound. Steve Hoefer has made a Knock Lock, which is a device that can listen to knocks on the door. If the sequence of knocks is the same as the recorded knock sequence it unlocks the deadbolt on the door. Steve was the guy who also made the Dice Reading Machine. Via: Zedomax "While working on another project I
Mitch Schoch from SimpleVoice.com built an interesting 4 axis DIY Foam Cutting CNC Machine. It has lots of control since all 4 motors can be driven independently. His design is modular, he has used phone jacks and 24 gauge phone cable to provide power the motors. Everything was purchased from the local hardware store so there are no exotic parts in the unit. From the video he looks to
Rockband is lots of fun. What can be more fun than rocking out with Rockband on your iPhone? Well the answer is making a robot that is better than you at it! This robot uses sensors to look for the blips streaming down the screen and cool simulated fingers to jam on the touchscreen. The Arduino code is available so you can make your own iPhone Rockband robot. Thanks
Swiss designer Matthias Pugin has made a crazy clock called Switchital which is a Moving 7 Segment Digital Wall Clock that works by moving hidden magnets which arrange bars of 7 segment displays. At first I thought this was a design simulation but I think it’s real! I would like to have a look at the guts inside the clock and the controller that is an amazing choreographer. EDIT:
If you like guitar hero and are into sports then you need to have a look at this Kasabian Football Hero project! Via: Engadget "An experiment to create a giant (three stories high!) guitar game controlled with footballs. Football Hero is played by a team of insanely gifted young freestyle footballers. The game is programmed with the Kasabian track Underdog."
