Cool Gadgets

Remote Control that does not use Batteries

  How many times were you left frustrated trying to change the channel on the TV just to realize that the batteries are dead. Of course there are no more batteries in the house so you are forced to steal the batteries from a lesser used remote. Even more frustrating is when you need to use the remote that had the batteries robbed out of them. This problem may be

RFID Music Selection - RFiDJ

  Music selection is usually a boring process. It usually involves some common interface such as scrolling through titles on a portable player, using a remote for your stereo or a mouse on your computer. With this RFID Music Selection called the RFiDJ from Roteno Labs music is represented by tiles and the tiles graphically represent the music that can be expected. I can think of lots of opportunities for

Roomba Pac-Man

  If you like classic video games and robots you need to have a look at this Roomba Pac-Man system. At a glance it may look like a fun game where the Roomba cleaners are being controlled by a bunch of remote controls that people are controlling. That low tech scenario could not be further from what is actually happening here. There is lots of tech making these Roomba robots

Halloween Animatronics Project

  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

Knock Lock - Unlock a Door with a Secret Knock

  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

Switchital - Moving 7 Segment Digital Wall Clock

  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:

Spooky Tesla Spirit Radio

  Mr Fixit Rick has been hard at work building a machine that demons from the afterlife can talk through. It makes for a great Halloween centerpiece. Well maybe it doesn’t exactly channel demons but it is still lots of fun. If you want to have lots of spooky fun you can even build your own! There is still time to enter your Halloween Project into the Contest. Via: Hacked