Hannah Perner-Wilson writes: This quilt is made up of an array of 41 textile tilt sensors. Each sensor demonstrates a unique construction variation, showcasing different materials and techniques that can be used to create fabric tilt sensors.
For our Principles of Engineering class, Team JARJ has created a mechatronic system that can open any Masterlock regardless of whether the user knows all, some, or none of the combination. [Via Gadget Lab]
We posted pix of Martijn “Dino_Martino” Hellemans’ Mindstorms ‘fully functional battle tank‘ last month, and here is a video. To recap, it has caterpillar treads with independent suspension, cruise control, LED headlights, semi-automatic brick flinger with laser sighting, and the whole shebang can be run by a Playstation 3 controller.
Make: Live ep04 is all about DIY Musical Instruments! Thanks to our fill-in cohost Collin Cunningham and guests Ranjit Bhatnagar and Pete Edwards.
How much fun are these plush dinosaur tails from Jessica of Running With Scissors? I love the idea of making a whole bunch of them and bringing them out at playdates or sleepovers for the kids. Can you imagine the ruckus that would ensue? Awesome.
Sculptor Tom Hardwidge calls his creations “arthrobots.” Many of them incorporate deactivated ammunition. [via Boing Boing]
If you’re sick of touchscreen controls or sloppy accelerometer movements and would like to get your hands on a real D-pad, then take a look at maker Jack Malone’s makeshift integrated EVO-Tainment smartphone controller.
