R/C

Maker Hangar Episode 5: Servos

Maker Hangar Episode 5: Servos

In Episode 5 of Maker Hangar, Lucas Weakley teaches us about servos, these are the little motors that move the control surfaces on RC planes. We learn about the different parts of a servo, and what each of them do. We see how to classify servos by their sizes, weights, and strength. Lucas also goes over the different types of linkages and the techniques on hooking up control surfaces.

Quadcopter Flying Over a Field of Yellow Mustard

Quadcopter Flying Over a Field of Yellow Mustard

There is a large field of mustard a couple miles from MAKE headquarters, and for a few weeks in spring, all the mustard blooms, and the field turns brilliant yellow. On the way home from work about a month ago, I stopped at the field, with a plan to to take some photos. As I got closer to the ideal photo spot, I came across a gentleman, documentary filmmaker Michael Heumann, flying a quadcopter. We got to chatting, and I ended up snapping some photos. Michael has a DJI Phantom Aerial UAV Drone Quadcopter with a GoPro camera mounted to it, and he showed me how he had installed some Moongel pads on the top and bottom of the camera, to absorb shock to reduce video shakiness.

Weekend Projects – Mini Rover Redux

Weekend Projects – Mini Rover Redux

Complete instructions for this episode of Weekend Projects can be found at http://makeprojects.com/Project/Mini-Rover-Redux/2479/1

Learn the basics of modding a remote controlled (RC) vehicle for the purpose of making your own terrestrial rover. Mount one wireless camera onto your vehicle’s chassis, and see how far you can drive it and see what it sees. Then, add a second camera for ultra-wide-angle vision, front and rear viewing, or sterescopic 3D video of the world!