The world of wearables is becoming an increasingly popular way for makers to express their creativity. From custom watches and connected jewelry to full-body suits that allow you to interact with your environment, the possibilities are endless. Learning about wearable electronics can be a bit daunting for those who are just starting out – but it doesn’t have to be! Whether you’re looking for guidance on where to get started with Arduino programming or inspiration from some of the projects out there, this blog category has got you covered. Here we will provide tutorials and resources on creating interactive wearables as well as a look at the work of some inspiring makers that should give you the motivation to dive right in!
Here’s a Flickr photo set on making a belt buckle from a hard drive. Ingredients: Hard Drive platter (Jaz disk), paper clip, hacksaw, screw(s), and small sheet of basswood (for guide). Out of the recent “technology” on a belt projects, I think I like this one the most – it’s subtle but still recognizable. [via] Link.
Make pal Jacob hit the Urban Atmospheres presented by Intel. “Welcome to a party where the guests are tracked by RFID and their location is graphed overtime. They are represented by a baron a projected bar graph whose color changes depending on their location in the party. More information about this opening can be found on the Urban Atmospheres website.” Link
I’m starting to gather interesting tips people have, from how to best clear ice from a frozen car to great websites that make your life easier. Making things is great, but sometimes the little stuff is just as good. If you have a favorite tip (the kind that gets you slaps on the back and free drinks), send to tips AT makezine DOT com….
Lawrence Rome, a biologist at the University of Pennsylvania has led the development of a backpack that can generate around 7 watts of electricity, without solar cells, and actually providing a more comfortable backpack in the process. Taking advantage of vertical motion, much like some wave generators, the backpack harnesses body movements while hiking. Link.
MAKE pal Hans writes “I just found this, I have not looked up Wearable Computer stuff for years now- How to build your own hand-held, seven-key, programmable, ergonomic keying device. Great for Wearable Computers. Link.
Fossil isn’t going to SPOT any longer, looks bad- but this watch project looks amazing! eWatch is a wearable computing system that can be worn on your wrist. It has several sensors that gather information about the user and the environment. It can attract the user’s attention with visual and/or tactile notifications. eWatch supports wireless Bluetooth communication which allows it to interface with a computer, PDA, or cellular phone. The wrist watch form factor allows open exposure to the environment making it ideal for ascertaining user state information. This also means that eWatch is instantly viewable and always accessible to the user. Link.
