HIW13

How CAD Empowers Kids: Carl Bass at Maker Faire

How CAD Empowers Kids: Carl Bass at Maker Faire

By DC Denison

DC Denison

DC Denison is the co-editor of The Maker Pro Newsletter, which covers the intersection of makers and business. That means hardware startups, new products, and market trends.

DC manages customer stories at Acquia, the digital experience company.

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The chief executive at Autodesk obviously prepared this talk for kids, and he arrived at Maker Faire dressed for the part: wearing a baseball cap, t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. Not what he wears when he’s talking to shareholders about fiscal year 2013. But Bass can pull it off: he has a marvelously casual style, and a real passion for making. The result: this is a fantastic primer on computer aided design (CAD) for kids — and for anyone who would like a very easy-going intro to some of the most basic, free tools and services available.

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Pitches with Prototypes: Lumiglass Infinity by ProtoTank

Pitches with Prototypes: Lumiglass Infinity by ProtoTank

Marc de Vinck

By Marc de Vinck

Marc de Vinck

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4

MAKE’s 2013 Hardware Innovation Workshop is only days away, and we still have a few more makers to feature as part of the “pitches with prototypes” contest. Next up is the Lumiglass Infinity sign by ProtoTank. We have featured a few variations of edge-lit displays before, but the ProtoTank team has turned it up a notch with their unique materials and display system.

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The Examined Life of Rachel Kalmar: Data Scientist

The Examined Life of Rachel Kalmar: Data Scientist

By DC Denison

DC Denison

DC Denison is the co-editor of The Maker Pro Newsletter, which covers the intersection of makers and business. That means hardware startups, new products, and market trends.

DC manages customer stories at Acquia, the digital experience company.

View more articles by DC Denison
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Rachel Kalmar will be easy to spot at the Hardware Innovation Workshop next week. She will be the one wearing 11 health monitoring devices: three on each wrist, four on her belt, and one on her upper arm.

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Pitches with Prototypes: Solar Tracker

Pitches with Prototypes: Solar Tracker

By Andrew Terranova

Andrew Terranova

Andrew Terranova is an electrical engineer, writer and author of How Things Are Made: From Automobiles to Zippers. Andrew is also an electronics and robotics enthusiast and has created and curated robotics exhibits for the Children's Museum of Somerset County, NJ and taught robotics classes for the Kaleidoscope Enrichment in Blairstown, NJ and for a public primary school. Andrew is always looking for ways to engage makers and educators.

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To get the most efficient use of solar electric energy, you must keep your solar panel pointed at the sun. Manually moving the solar panel is impractical. An automated solution may be beyond the reach of many green energy enthusiasts or anyone who just wants to keep the lights on without developing robotics expertise. Hoping to fill that need is technology savvy Jay Doscher, with his prototype solar tracking robot. His tripod mounted, GPS steered solution is portable and could be used for emergencies, camping or any time off-grid power is needed.

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Pitches with Prototypes: The Pixeldelic Vest

Pitches with Prototypes: The Pixeldelic Vest

By Andrew Terranova

Andrew Terranova

Andrew Terranova is an electrical engineer, writer and author of How Things Are Made: From Automobiles to Zippers. Andrew is also an electronics and robotics enthusiast and has created and curated robotics exhibits for the Children's Museum of Somerset County, NJ and taught robotics classes for the Kaleidoscope Enrichment in Blairstown, NJ and for a public primary school. Andrew is always looking for ways to engage makers and educators.

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On May 14-15 this year, hopeful innovators and industry experts will gather at MAKE’s Hardware Innovation Workshop. One of the hopefuls will be self-described artist, designer, photographer, scientist, and engineer Joshua Hubert. Josh and others will have a chance to showcase their creations and pitch them in a five minute presentation and demonstration. Workshop attendees will vote for the most interesting and innovative product idea, taking into consideration its application, target market, and commercial viability. The winner will receive a slot on the Maker Faire Innovation Stage to present their prototype the following weekend.

Joshua specializes in creating some of the most amazing illuminated art you are likely to see. He has consulted on many fascinating designs for television, film and stage, including Katy Perry’s peacock costume from your 2010 appearance on David Letterman.

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Pitches with Prototypes: Haptix

Pitches with Prototypes: Haptix

By DC Denison

DC Denison

DC Denison is the co-editor of The Maker Pro Newsletter, which covers the intersection of makers and business. That means hardware startups, new products, and market trends.

DC manages customer stories at Acquia, the digital experience company.

View more articles by DC Denison
2

Haptix is a sensor that enables multitouch on any surface, such as a screen, keyboard, or table. The creators are competing in MAKE’s 2013 Hardware Innovation Workshop, set for May 14-15 to compete in the “pitches with prototypes” contest. A dozen companies have submitted hardware projects and workshop attendees will vote for the most interesting and innovative ideas. The winner will receive a slot on the Maker Faire Innovation Stage to present their prototype the following weekend.

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