Hektor consists of a suitcase which contains two electric motors, a spray-can holder, toothed belts, cables, a strong battery and a circuit board which is connected to a laptop and controls the machine. The motors that are mounted onto the wall suspend the can holder through the toothed belts and define its position by changing the length of these belts. Thanks Doug! Link.
The Scribbler is a fully programmable, intelligent robot with multiple sensor systems that let it interact with people and objects. It navigates on its own as it explores its surroundings, and then reports back about what it senses using light and sound. With your personal computer and choice of free software, write your own programs for your Scribbler Robot. [via] Link.
MADE ON EARTH – Report from the world of backyard technology: The ShopperChopper, a modded shopping cart with wheels from a wheelchair, shocks from a hospital bed, a shopping cart from the supermarket, and a 10 hp Briggs and Stratton generator motor, as read by David Albertson, MAKE Creative Director. This is an enhanced podcast; it will play audio and show the actual pages of MAKE Magazine from volume 03 when you click on them. iTunes: Click this link and click SUBSCRIBE.
So, this is not public, and is not shipping yet, but here is a sneak peak of what is on its way for Flickr freaks (like me). A poster and and entire book of Flickr photos. Once the Flickr folks are ready, I suspect you’ll hear more about this soon. Link to Flickr on Flickr.
Fun and easy mod– So I was inspired by many articles I saw on making an NES controller mouse, making an NES controller USB hub, an NES controller belt buckle, etc. I had my old NES (circa 1987) that I’d just pulled out of a box after my move and I decided that the dinosaur had had a good life – so I decided to upgrade the components. Link.
Describing the construction of these pvc pipes may prove to be much like describing on paper just how to tie a shoe-lace! Will give ‘er a go nonetheless. They’re actually made from 1/2″ light tan-colored CPVC not technically PVC but a “hot-water” version of pvc which is sold here at any hardware store in ten foot lengths. [via] Link.
Nice HOW TO for iPod Linux. Want to watch videos on your iPod? Wish there were better games in your iPod’s list of offerings? Maybe you want to draw pictures on your iPod without getting ink on the screen? [