FPGA chips are very powerful, have a look at this FPGA video game implementation that used to require a custom board and complex circuitry to make work. "The original Pac-man arcade game, implemented inside a single Xilinx Spartan-3E chip on a Spartan-3E Starter Kit. None of the extra hardware on the board is used, the chip in the middle implements the complete arcade board of the original game!"
Have a look at this Apple Floppy Amp if you are an Apple fan and would like to hold on to some history. "PARTS – Note that not all are necessary and many can be substituted (e.g., you probably don’t need the $30 volume pot, the one that comes with the amp works pretty well) – Sonic Impact 5066 T-amp – Apple PC 5.25 Floppy Drive – 12V, 2A Power
This Big Bird Hover Craft project makes good use of PIC microcontrollers and powerful motors to get some good speed on the ice. Watch the video, this thing looks like it is fun to drive! "Project Big Bird required two circuits, each with specialized functions: Onboard PIC circuit: send/receive data from host PIC via wireless controls the lift fan and propulsion fans via PWM output signals
This RC Car project shows you the perfect method of allowing your RC car to get a drifting workout without you having to do all the work! "The Autonomous Drifter spawned from a project/tutorial suggestion in the forums. Namely from Simplywel. In the most simplest of terms, it’s a hacked rc car, but really only the remote control has been hacked. The car itself wasn’t altered in any way.
Have a look at Robomagellan from the guys at the Ottawa Robot Enthusiasts. It was inspired by the DARPA Challenge! Videos after the jump. "Robots traverse a pre-defined course dealing with various obstacles along the way. Waypoints may be marked with objects that the robot must touch or come within a specified distance. The robots will be guided primarily by GPS and vision systems. Robots will be fully autonomous,
The Wiimote has again proven to be a great resource for the creative hacker! If you are lucky enough to have some motorized blinds you might want to have a look at this Wii Remote Window Curtain Control project. Video after the jump. "The curtain control system is an existing system from Goelst and is called "G-Rail 6200". Normally it is controlled by infrared or wallswitches. However,
Jeffkobi shows us a simple way to make a popular toy much cooler. Seems like the hula hoop is not as popular as it once was but what if the ones in the store were LED Hula Hoops? I think they would be selling like hot cakes! "Some friends wanted a lighted hula hoop for burningman, and when they turned out to be about $200 each, I decided
