I saw the latest James Bond movie Quantum of Solace – besides some cool 3D phone imaging and some touch screen action there wasn’t a lot in terms of gadgety spy gear. There was a hydrogen powered hotel but in the end that didn’t really work out. So, if you’re like most makers you probably like(d) 007 movies for crazy spy gadgets which eventually either became really or something you could make now. I still think “Q” had the coolest job in the world, he would outfit our hero with the latest gear for getting a spy job done: booby-trapped briefcases, walkie-talkie in a broom, bug decoders, tape recorder cameras, dagger shows, garrote watches, modded cars, homing beacons, underwater jet packs, x-ray desks, fake finger prints, mini-subs, the list goes on and on…
Here are some DIY versions (or close to) of what I saw in the movie… something for kids and adults out there who want to do this on their own :)
3D imaging…
Make3D — convert your images to 3d. Stanford’s 3D tool where you can upload your own 2D image and make it 3D…
Touch screens
Hand gesture multitouch using only a webcam.
5-minute multitouch.
The Future of Interfaces Is Multi-Touch.
Touchscreen Boombox PC.
Homemade touch-screen jukebox.
Interactive multi-touch display.
Hydrogen power
Fuel Cell Car & Experiment Kit.
HOW TO – Make Hydrogen.
HOW TO – Collect hydrogen and oxygen.
But! Don’t worry about spy gadgets in upcoming Bond, there’s hope – the rumor is that the next Bond will feature a “Q”-like character and maybe we’ll see some high tech gadgets for super spies again – for now however – we’ve put together an ENTIRE issue of MAKE devoted to spy tech. Here’s a run down and our video from the Spy volume MAKE 16.
Talking Booby Trap by Bob Knetzger
Surprise enemy spies with the sound of your own voice. Page 60
Portable Spy Scope by Eric Rosenthal
Turn your cellphone into a high-power digiscope. Page 64
Simple Laser Communicator by Simon Quellen Field
Talk in secret over your private laser beam light link. Page 67
Survival systems: shaken, not stirred by Thomas Arey
Miniaturize a serious survival kit. Page 70
Dead Drop Device by Brian Dereu
A hollow bolt hides secret messages. Page 72
This object will self-destruct… by Andrew Lewis
Create objects that melt into uselessness at your command. Page 76
USBattery by Andrew Lewis
Hide a secret flash drive in an innocent AA cell. Page 80
Checkmate, Mr. Bond! by Andrew Lewis
Unlock a secret compartment with magnetic chess pieces. Page 84
Covert Wireless Listening by David Simpson
Install a sneaky bug in a book. Page 88
Invisible Ink Printer by Mike Golembewski
Take a new twist on lemon juice. Page 92
You can get MAKE 16 here, or subscribe and start reading right away in the digital edition (use CMAKE to get $5 off).
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