The Six Bottle Test
Marco Robustini wanted to test the accuracy of the ArduCopter code and show the accuracy of the IMU, so he decided to suspend bottles from his multi-copter to find out how it would cope with huge variations in weight and trim
Arduino
As the preeminent tool for makers, Arduino is a versatile platform that covers almost every type of creative making. With its simple-to-use coding language and fun programming concepts, Arduino enables users to create modern electronics with ease. From beginner level projects like flashing LED lights to more advanced builds such as interactive robots, there are an endless number of possibilities when it comes to building projects with Arduino. Whether you are new or an experienced builder in search of fresh ideas, these posts will provide interesting Arduino tutorials and unique ideas that may spark your creativity and motivate you take on any type of maker project!
Designing the Electronics User Experience
In February I did an interview with Eric Jennings, co-founder of Pinoccio. Pinoccio is a new open source hardware business, building โa complete ecosystem for the Internet of Things.โ The Pinoccio is a pocket-sized microcontroller board with wireless networking, rechargeable LiPo battery, sensors, and the ability to expand its capabilities through shields, much like an Arduino board. It features the new Atmel ATmega256RFR2, a single-chip AVR 8-bit processor with low power 2.4GHz transceiver for IEEE 802.15.4 communications.
Eric Jennings, along with his partner Sally Carson, co-founded Pinoccio. In my interview with Eric he said:
“Sally Carson, Pinoccio’s other co-founder, is an expert in the intersection between humans and technology. What I mean by that is that she thinks very deeply and carefully about the psychology of humans interacting with computers. Human-computer interaction, user experience, and usability all fall under her umbrella. I consider her contribution a secret weapon in what we’re trying to achieve with Pinoccio.”
A Secret Weapon?!… I had to find out more what Eric meant, and just what exactly is Pinoccioโs Secret Weapon. I contacted Sally Carson and asked her about the intersection of User Experience (UX) with electronics and the design of the Pinoccio. Along the way, I learned some good lessons on why design is important, even to just a set of electronics.
Tux Cases for Arduino and Raspberry Pi Now Available in the Maker Shed
Aluminum cases for the Arduino and Raspberry Pi, custom CNC machined by Tux Labs, are now available in the Maker Shed.
Setting Up the pcDuino
My friend Mike Hord of Sparkfun has shot this quick video showing how to set up a pcDuino. If you’re not hip to this microcontroller, it’s a system-on-a-board running linux, and you program it by plugging the board into your TV via HDMI and simply plugging in a USB keyboard and mouse. It has the […]
Glitch Knit Project
Fashion designer Nukeme has teamed up with some other artists and hackers to make a project called “Hacked Knitting Machine and Glitch Knit,” in which they’ve made another knitting machine hack and are using it to knit glitch patterns!
Goldilocks: an Arduino Clone
Ever battled SRAM limitations with your sketch on the Arduino Uno? Decided reluctantly to break out an Arduino Mega, and suffer with the resulting shield incompatibilities? Then the new Goldilocks board might be just what you’re looking for in a micro-controller.
Stress Testing Lego
How many times can you assemble two LEGO bricks together before they wear out? Phillipe Cantin decided to find out.
