Cool Gadgets

3D Scanning System uses Webcam

  The results of this 3D Scanner look very impressive considering it was built with some simple hardware. "3d scanner implementation: – red 2.5mw line laser – geared stepper motor – logitech usb webcam – own design controller – simple control software"

Image Tracking - Discovery Channel Prototype This Show

  Keep October 15th open, the first episode of a new Discovery Channel show called Prototype This will air. This looks to be a great show that will show us the inner workings of some very cool projects. Doesn’t look like any of the ideas will be simplistic. I think the show will spark creativity in many of us as they delve into their inner thoughts. This video seems to

Automated Halloween Coffin using PVC Pipe and a Sprinkler Valve

  The Prop Master shows us how this cool Automated Halloween Coffin works. The coffin was made some plywood that was painted black, a skeleton of PVC pipe, a Halloween mask, an old suit and a sprinkler valve. Notice how the PVC has slip point that allow the system to pivot to raise a portion of the skeleton. There are also a few non-essentials that were added to enhance the

Comdyna GP-6 Analog Computer

  It’s amazing that this computer that I had never heard about was being sold until just recently (2004). You would sure feel like a computer programmer when you were working on one of these, pushing buttons, turning knobs, plugging patch cables from one port to the next… I don’t think many other systems could ever have a life as long as this unit had. "Each GP-6 is a self-contained

Motorola 68HC11 powered K'NEX Robot

  Gary Teachout has put together an interesting robot that uses a Motorola 68HC11 as a brain and K’NEX for the structure. It has some smarts built into it, this includes a fight or flight reaction! "ERC is a small computer, a few motors, some cardboard, and a bunch of K’NEX. For a long time it was a mobile robot, with differential drive, and I used it for many navigation

Spykee Meccano Robot

  I remember my Meccano set that I played with when I was growing up. Lots of nuts, bolts and pieces of metal. This Spykee robot represents the new face of Meccano that I could only wish was available when I was a kid. I can just imagine the creative hacks that we will see in the near future! Thanks to Sven for the system overview.  " Spy robot. Spykee

Message Pump - USB to LCD Display Adapter

  The Message Pump project from Spikenzie Labs provides you with some surface mount soldering enjoyment and a resulting device that will allow you to display messages from your computer. Lots of computers don’t have a serial port these days so the USB connection is very handy. It is available in many forms including bare board or a kit with all the required parts.   "The Message Pump A.K.A. the