Computers & Mobile

The latest DIY ideas, techniques and tools for digital gadgetry, open code, smart hacks, and more. Processing power to the people!

Weyland-Yutani patents handy facehugger removal device

Weyland-Yutani patents handy facehugger removal device

The worst thing about summertime in Austin is the facehuggers. They’re more than just a nuisance; if you’re allergic to alien embryos, like I am, they can actually be quite dangerous. Plus there’s that whole chestbursting thing–inconvenient, embarrassing, and uncomfortable to say the least. I’ve gotten pretty good at removing them using the old spork-and-a-defibrillator trick, but it’s terribly slow and, no matter how careful I am, I always seem to end up burning myself with molecular acid and having to stick those little bits of toilet paper to my face. Fortunately, thanks to space medic Ronald Renne, now there’s a better way. [via Gizmodo]

Walking table

Walking table

The quintessentially Dutch, singularly functional, aesthetically innovative, and yet alluringly strange table in question is by designer Wouter Scheublin. “Walking Table,” as it is cleverly named, is human-powered, incorporating a mechanical linkage that converts gentle lifting and pushing of the top into oscillations of the legs that move the table across the floor with little effort. [via NOTCOT]

3D freehand drawing pen

Italian maker “MadSimon” sent us info and a link to this video for his 3D freehand drawing rig. He explains: It is an experimental DIY peripheral that behaves like a “3D pen.” Just hold the tip of the robo-arm, and act like you’re drawing, pressing keyboard buttons to lay down points and lines. The advantage […]

Hacker Trifecta:  iPad, Arduino, kegerator combined in single device

Hacker Trifecta: iPad, Arduino, kegerator combined in single device

John Boiles, whose extracurricular exploits as an undergraduate at UT Austin brought us iPhone-controlled dance floor lights, R/C cars, and yes, even full-size automobiles, has since moved to San Francisco and scored a job with Yelp. His latest “spare time” project, with the Yelp Engineering crew, is KegMate–a keg-mounted, Arduino-controlled data-logging suite with an iPad-based user interface. Among other features, the system reports and records the keg temperature, tracks which of its registered users is dispensing beer and how much they’ve dispensed, and collects user ratings of whatever brew happens to be on tap. [Thanks, John!]