Reader Input
Thoughts, tips, and musings from readers like you.Page 06
Make: Volume 52 – Virtually Real
A wave of new technology has rekindled the dream of virtual reality. But what can you really do with it? We take a look at how Makers are embracing VR to build digital worlds and real-life interfaces with them, and show you how too. Meet the engineers at NASA that are making rovers and rockets in mixed-reality. Discover some of the gear you’ll need to get started with VR. Visit the Makers at Valve who brought the HTC Vive headset to life and see how it went from prototype to product. Then, build a tactile rig for your VR pinball arcade, create holograms with your cellphone, and learn how to take 360 degree photos and videos to view in VR.
- Plus, more than 20 projects including:
- Build a Raspberry Pi-powered Photo Booth that sends photos to your friends and to the cloud.
- Make a DIY monster detector for kids to scout out scary closets and attics.
- Learn the basics for creating propane-powered fire art with an excerpt from our new book, Make: Fire.
- And much more.
ON THE COVER: NASAʼs JPL is using VR tech to create the next Mars rover.
Table of Contents
COLUMNS
Welcome: Fairely Innovative
Mike Senese
Maker Faire sheds a light on emerging tech.Page 07
Made on Earth
Backyard builds from around the globe.Page 08
Show & Tell
The latest dazzling projects from inventive makers like you.Page 14
FEATURES
Laser Focus
Nathan Hurst
As prices tumble, lidar is becoming the go-to tool for autonomous robotic vision.Page 16
Maker ProFile: Data Plans
DC Denison
Particle CEO Zach Supalla’s road map for navigating the IoT frontier.Page 22
SPECIAL EDITION
Virtual Reality
In the VR future. makers will lead the fooling of our senses.
Page 24
An Open Valve
Caleb Kraft
How a software company and modding community shaped the future of virtual reality with the HTC Vive.Page 26
Rockets and Rovers with Mixed Reality
Mike Senese
NASAʼs Jet Propulsion Lab gives us a peek into the future of making.Page 30
Shake, Rattle, and Tilt
Jeremy Williams
Build the PinSim cabinet controller and play VR pinball with real tactile controls and an accelerometer-based nudge system!Page 32
Cardboard Creativity
Caleb Kraft
Improve your simple Google VR viewer with these easy tips.Page 37
Welcome to My World
Will Smith
Will Smith on the challenge of launching FOO VR.Page 38
1+2+3: CD Case Hologram
Anthony Lam
Build a tiny “Pepper’s Ghost” illusion to play holograms on your smartphone! Page 41
Virtual Creation
Jon Oakes
Design, assemble, and build with these VR software tools.Page 42
Gateway Gear
Craig Couden
You need physical hardware to enter the virtual world.Page 44
Full Immersion
Caleb Kraft
Capture the world in 360º with these new cameras, then explore them with your VR gear.Page 46
Letʼs Get Real
Lisa Martin
These augmented experiences take some of the “virtual” out of virtual reality setups.Page 47
SKILL BUILDER
Getting Started with Propane and Fire Effects
Tim Deagan
Learn the basics and build a low-pressure source for all kinds of flame projects.Page 48
CNC Milling with Fusion 360
Samuel Bernier
Turn a vector drawing into a wooden bas-relief in this simple exercise.Page 52
Form with Foam
Caleb Kraft
How to cut, glue, and finish styrofoam for custom creations.Page 54
PROJECTS
Raspberry Pi Wi-Fi Party Photo Booth
Kevin Osborn, Justin Shaw (Wyolum), and Jenny Ching (Make: Labs)
Make a Pi 3-powered touchscreen photo booth that uploads to Google Photos!Page 56
Monster Detector
James Floyd Kelly and Chris Jones
Build a kid-friendly (pretend) bedtime scanner to repel creepy critters.Page 62
CNC an Inductive Phone Charger
Noah Feehan
Mill an elegant charger for your Qi-compatible device.Page 66
Shiny Globes of Mud
Jason Arnold
Shape the mysterious hikaru dorodango that has Japanese schoolchildren crazy for dirt.Page 68
Kid-Sized Kayak
Nick Schade
Build a tough, lightweight boat from a single sheet of plywood.Page 70
Flippinʼ Sweet
Dirk Swart and Vel Pendell
Use a servo to flick a light switch mechanically, without ever touching 110V power, with this Wi-Fi “Turner Onner.”Page 72
PiKon: Raspberry Pi Telescope
Mark Wrigley
Assemble a 120X astro-cam using 3D-printed bits and the Pi Camera Module.Page 76
Crushinʼ It
Simon Monk
Use an Arduino and an H-bridge motor circuit to build an automatic can crusher.Page 78
Electronics Fun & Fundamentals: Get a Grip
Charles Platt
Build a carnival midway strength tester game using strain gauges and a comparator chip.Page 80
Howtoons: Platonic Solids
Howtoons
Find out why Platonic solids are so special, and make some cool dice to boot! Page 83
Rumblebots Raceway
Doug Stith
Here’s a hand-cranked classroom science project that’s also a lot of fun. Page 84
1+2+3: Edible Paper
Kathy Ceceri
Paper is made from plants — so why not food plants?Page 86
Toy Inventorʼs Notebook: Friendly Fake-Outs
Bob Knetzger
Use moldable plastic to create great new practical jokes!Page 87
TOOLBOX
Tool Reviews
Craftsman 10" Benchtop Band Saw, Raspberry Pi 3, Flir One Thermal Imager, JackClamp System, and more useful gear.Page 88
3D Printer Review: Mannequin
Matt Stultz
A quirky, quick-to-assemble kit.Page 92
OVER THE TOP
From Her Majestyʼs Secret Service
James Burke
If homemade rocket bikes, grappling hooks, and stealthy weapons don’t impress, then we don’t know what will.Page 96
