Reader Input
Notes from readers like you. Page 06
Make: Volume 61 — Cyborg & the Sino:Bit
China’s hotbed of innovation and creativity, Shenzhen, is making waves around the world. In our cover story, Shenzhen native Naomi Wu talks about bringing open-source hardware to China and how Chinese culture influences her maker ethos. Then read about how five more women are each building their own unique maker experiences in Shenzhen.
Plus, build these projects:
- 3D print a flyweight FPV quadcopter
- Create LED shadow art with a box of mylar tubes
- Add a cheap radar set up to your robot
- Give your face a fun house look with the easy Bigfacebox
- And more!
ON THE COVER: Naomi “SexyCyborg” Wu shows off the sino:bit board and its ability to display Chinese characters.
Table of Contents
COLUMNS
Welcome: Culture and Creativity
Mike Senese
Traveling around the world, it’s clear that making transcends borders.Page 07
Made on Earth
Backyard builds from around the globe. Page 08
FEATURES
Fighting Disasters
Brad Halsey
Extreme circumstances require extreme making.Page 14
Reality Check
Julia Skott
Make VR your own with these DIY builds.Page 18
Maker ProFile: Tipping the Scale
Scott N. Miller
Scott Miller’s manufacturing insights, and Dragon Innovation’s next move.Page 20
DRONES
3D Printed Micro FPV Quadcopter
Adam Kemp
This flyweight racer is fast, first-person, and fearless fun to fly.Page 22
Doctoring Drones
Adam Woodworth
Let your imagination take flight with toy-inspired quad builds.Page 28
DIY Drone Recovery Parachute
Andrew Morgan
Sensors determine if your aircraft’s in trouble and return it safely.Page 29
SHENZHEN STANDOUTS
Cyborg and the sino:bit
Dale Dougherty
Naomi Wu creates China’s first certified Open Source Hardware project.Page 30
Inside Edition
Vicky Xie
Shenzhen’s locals leverage the region’s assets to advance its global maker leadership.Page 36
Shenzhen Goes Pro
Violet Su
Maker Faire returns to the city with a new venue and a pro theme.Page 42
PROJECTS
Rainbow Lightbox
Nicole Catrett
Build a color quantizer out of mylar and scotch tape.Page 46
Text a Treat
Rich Nelson
This system dispenses snacks and sends a pic of your pooch, all via SMS.Page 52
Robot-Ready Radar
Adam Kemp
An ultrasonic sensor and a single servo let your bot sense its surroundings for less than $10.Page 56
Kokedama String Garden
Brookelynn Morris
Transform your plants into hanging sculptures.Page 60
Fat Head
Yuji Hayashi
Supersize your noggin with a lens and a cardboard box.Page 62
DIY Bipedal Robot
Camilo Parra Palacio
Open source and customizable, Otto can dance and avoid obstacles.Page 64
Electronics Fun & Fundamentals: Ohm Sweet Ohm
Charles Platt
Lessons learned installing custom LED driveway lighting.Page 66
A Clean Sweep
Sean Micheal Ragan
Light up your broom with LEDs from a scavenged worklight.Page 69
Build a Crappy Robot
Paloma Fautley
Not only will it be entertaining, the process will offer valuable lessons.Page 70
Amateur Scientist: Small-Scale Solar Power
Forrest M. Mims III
Transform a 25-watt semi-flexible panel into a practical battery charger.Page 72
Twirl-A-Squirrel
Larry Cotton
Mod your bird feeder to (gently) evict furry thieves via remote control. Page 76
Boost Your Bubbles
Marcos Arias and Harrison Fuller
Combine helium and air to float clouds of soapy water.Page 82
SKILL BUILDER
The Big Finish
Paul Moore
The when, how, and why of using paste wax for wood.Page 86
Make the Switch
John M. Wargo
Turn on or off electronic relays by applying or removing specific voltages.Page 88
Toolbox
Toolbox
Gear up with reviews of the latest tools and kits for makers. Page 90
Review: Brother SE625
Matt Stultz
Color touchscreen control makes a great line of machines even better.Page 94
Show & Tell
Show & Tell
Dazzling projects from inventive makers like you.Page 96
