Transportation

Skateboards for schools!

Skateboards for schools!

H1Javier writes “Cool idea for enabling kids to actually make something usable in shop class: from the website: “The fact is, kids have always wanted to make skateboard decks in their woodshop classes but teachers and students never knew how to put the concave shapes and turned up nose and tail in the wood. Decks cut out of plywood and pine stock just don’t work! And where do you drill for correct wheel placement in order to get proper flex and balance? Well, Skateboardsforschools.com has taken care of all of that for you!” [via]. Link.

New Brother Innovis Sewing Machine in Japan

New Brother Innovis Sewing Machine in Japan

Brothersewing
Forget mobile phones, even the coolest crafty gadgets seemed to get launched in Japan first. Starting in Feb, Brother will launch a new line of three embroidery/sewing machines that have preprogrammed designs from Peanuts, Disney and Hello Kitty (of course)! This one doesn’t seem to have a USB attachment option to a computer, but there is a card reader so you can also do your own designs and load them up on the machine. You can also download more designs from their special site on the Net. Brother also will be selling software so you can convert your digital photos into embroidery. Not sure if its an update to their existing software mentioned here in a software review. Link and translated press release.

Autonomous Flocking Blimps

Autonomous Flocking Blimps

Flocking BlimpGreat project from Jed and Nikhil (videos) – “We designed a working metaphor of a new ecology of things by using networked objects. This was possible through the sponsorship of Sun Microsystems who donated instrumental technology. Through a defined research process we designed objects that behave and respond in specific ways and are part of a networked system that emphasizes autonomous and flocking behavior. There are two main components: feeding and flocking. ALAVs are 3 flying objects (Bubba, Flipper, and Habib) that exist in a networked environment and communicate through assigned behaviors forming three scenarios: ALAV with a person, ALAV with other ALAVs, ALAV alone.” [via] Link.

HOW TO – Make your own USB car charger…

HOW TO – Make your own USB car charger…

UsbchargeHandy Instructable from murph38_99 – “Create a USB car charger for any iPod or other Device that Charges Via USB by splicing together a car adapter that outputs 5v and USB Female plug. The most important part of this project is to make sure that the output your chosen car adapter is between 4.75v and 5.25v otherwise you risk damaging your device. Please verify voltage with a voltmeter.” Link.