Saturday, October 31, 2009

Talkie Walkie with Arduino.



The Lip-sync paper puppet made by martins with Arduino. (http://lab.guilhermemartins.net/2009/05/26/talkie-walkie/) is very cool, it used a sound sensor to capture human voice and only one servo to control the paper lip. The design is simple, but it has a lots of fun ;)

check out the video:

Friday, October 30, 2009

Jumping robot

Tomotaka Takahashi, who is famous in japanese robotic research, released a new jumping robot. The movement of the robot is much smooth, it is really cool!

Check out the video:

Monday, October 19, 2009

SenseCam for someone with memory loss.



SenseCam is a digital camera for someone with memory loss. The patient carries it everyday, it captures photos automatically through out the day. When they forget somethings, they can check the images on the computer. I love this simple idea which has a big meaning to those who needed.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Hard Disk Propeller Clock (HDDClock)



Got some old hard drives? You can make a cool clock with the HDD parts. Using one ATMEGA128 and some RGB Leds, you are ready to make a cool HDDClock.



Author Page:
http://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/viewtopic.php?p=6984995

Source codes & Schematics:
http://mb.forall.pl/hddclock/

Friday, October 9, 2009

Piano can talk.



A computer control some mechanical hammers to play the piano to simulate sound like a human talking. Simply awesome:)

Thursday, October 8, 2009

UCSD stairs climbing robots.


The Coordinated Robotics Lab, UCSD developed small robots that capable to climb stairs and even overcome large obstacles. The robot has to be small, so this special constraint brings them to design robot in an unique way.

Check out the video @ IEEE Spectrum

UCSD Coordinated Robotics Lab.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Halloween project made with PIR motion sensor.


Halloween is coming, and people are working hard on making somethings scary to "celebrate!". PIR motion sensor is very useful for this purpose, as you will like your scary machine to operate only when someone is passing. Let's check out this "Jan in the Pan" project, you may get the ideas:)



Details of the project is on this website.

Monday, October 5, 2009

PIR motion sensor saves Energy?




I have few projects interfaced PIR motion sensors, it is a real fun. In reality, you will find the PIR motion sensor commonly used in lighting system.For example, the lamp will be on when there are people walking. Planet green listed out some scenarios that motion sensor would help to save energy for you, but also pointed out that there is a case would waste energy. Huh? the argument is that the sensor consumes electricity, if you always remember to turn off the light in your room, then the power consumed by the sensor is not necessary:) But if you are absent-minded, install the sensor!

Link:

PIR motion sensing project

Green Planet

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Gyrowheel - self balancing bicycle for your kids.

When we were young, we use "training wheels" on the back to learn how to ride a bicycle. Nowadays, there is Gyrowheel. It is a wheel that can balance itself with battery powered. Self balancing technology is not new, we have segway, honda ux-3 etc, but it is interesting to see how this piece of technology can be used in new area in our daily life.

Video time:

Friday, October 2, 2009

Power Loader - the real life human mobile suite.

A Power loader is designed by a Japanese company "ActiveLink", the mobile suite is inspired by the power loader machine appeared in the movie title "Aliens". By using this mobile suite, you will have extra powers. Check out the demonstration video belows: