The TEyeWriter is a low-cost eye-tracking apparatus + custom
software that allows graffiti writers and artists with paralysis resulting from
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis to draw using only their eyes.
The original design, as shown here, featured a pair of
glasses as the basis for the eyewriter design:
After I got comfortable programming and building with an Arduino,
I decided to build a robot. I did not
have any particular type in mind, so I wracked my brain (and the internet) for
cool robot ideas. Eventually, somehow
the idea popped into my head to build a robot that could climb trees.
At first I dismissed the idea as beyond my
skill level, but after further thought, and some time in Sketchup, I decided to
take a shot at the challenge. This is
the result of my efforts.
10. Rave Rover - Mobile Dance Stage
Rave Rover was designed and built to be a portable dance
platform for parties, raves, and any other trouble we can get into! I will go
into as much detail as I can explaining the entire build process, and where to
find parts and other accessories. Be sure to check out more information,
including party galleries on our website at www.raverover.com
judging by the sheer number of chess related Instructables,
I think it's safe to say the community enjoys the game. It can be difficult, however, to find someone
who plays on the same level you do. To
solve this dilemma, and to increase my playing skills, I built this arduino
powered chess playing robot.
The board works like any other xy table, with a few key
differences. First, the x axis has an
extra servo attached to it, which raises and lowers a magnet. The magnet is attracted to pieces on the
chess board above, allowing them to move.
Second, embedded in the board are 64 magnetically activated reed
switches, allowing the arduino to know the location of each piece.
What I love about this project is its adaptability. If you decide you're done with it as a chess
board, it can instantly convert into a CNC mill by modifying a few pieces. I'll talk more about this possibility at the
end.
All in all, though I learned a lot from this project and had
fun building it, the board was not as successful as I had hoped. The magnets were way too powerful, so extra
pieces would almost always drawn in when they shouldn't have. However, with a
few thoughtful changes I think this could have been a better, more functional
project. Until I build another, better
board, though, I think this Instructable still serves as a pretty good guide to
make your own chess robot
6. Make a 24X6 LED matrix
After making a 8X10 matrix a lot of people asked me about
expanding the matrix to some thing bigger, and some wanted to write stuff to
the matrix via a PC, so one day I looked at a pile of LEDs that I had leftover
from a LED cube projected and I decided to make a bigger matrix with all the
things people wanted.
So what are you waiting for? Get those LEDs out and heat up
your soldering iron because we are about to make a 24X6 LED matrix!
7. Fire Breathing Animetronic Pony
For Maker Faire Detroit 2011, I displayed a hack I made to a
FurReal Friends Butterscotch Pony. My fellow LVL1 Hackers and I had taken
control of the motor control system of the toy and added a flame thrower to
it. It seemed to go over really well
with the crowd, so I am putting up the information for anyone to make there
own. It was a blast to make and I hope
everyone has as much fun remaking it.
Just remember that this project uses Fire and should only be built and
operated by no less then 2 adults with appropriate experience in fire safety
and proper fire safety equipment on hand.
Inspired by 'Back to The Future II', this project is less 'Practical' than 'Proof of Concept', but hopefully it'll tide you over until Nike comes out with something more polished.
This was also the first time I worked with an Arduino microcontroller, and I wanted to get some experience with the little guy.
Operation is quite simple- step into the shoe and a force sensor reads the pressure of your foot and activates two servo motors, which apply tension to the laces, tightening the shoe. A touch switch reverses the servos.
Due to budget constraints, I only modified one shoe. Where did I put that darn sports almanac?!
And if you get a chance, vote for me in the Instructable USB contest!
2. LED Cube 8x8x8
Create your own 8x8x8 LED Cube 3-dimensional display!
We believe this Instructable is the most comprehensive
step-by-step guide to build an 8x8x8 LED Cube ever published on the intertubes.
It will teach you everything from theory of operation, how to build the cube,
to the inner workings of the software. We will take you through the software
step by step, both the low level drivers/routines and how to create awesome
animations. The software aspect of LED cubes is often overlooked, but a LED
cube is only as awesome as the software it runs.
About halfway through the Instructable, you will actually
have a fully functional LED cube. The remaining steps will show you how to
create the software.
A video is worth a thousand words. I'll just leave it up to
this video to convince you that this is the next project you will be building:
3. Flamethrowing Jack-O'-Lantern
Picture of Flamethrowing Jack-O'-Lantern
A flamethrowing jack-o'-lantern keeps the trick-or-treaters
a safe distance from your house and is a fine addition to any anti-Halloween
arsenal. At the first sign of any sugar-obsessed imp, simply press the trigger
button and wirelessly shoot a one-second burst of flames out of the
jack-o'-lantern's mouth. This plume of hellfire will make even the most bold of
people think twice about approaching your door. Very few people are willing to
risk life and limb for the chance of a tiny box of milk duds.
WARNING!: This pumpkin is extremely dangerous and you
definitely should not make one of these. The instructions were posted here are
for entertainment purposes only. I do not condone the manufacture or use of
flamethrowing jack-o'-lanterns. Seriously, nothing good will come of making one
of these. Don't do it.
4. Secret Knock Detecting Door Lock
Protect your secret hideout from intruders with a lock that
will only open when it hears the secret knock.
This started out as a bit of a joke project, but turned out
to be surprisingly accurate at judging knocks. If the precision is turned all
the way up it can even detect people apart, even if they give the same knock!
(Though this does trigger a lot of false negatives, which is no fun if you're
in a hurry.)
It's also programmable. Press the programming button and
knock a new knock and it will now only open with your new knock. By default the
knock is "Shave and a Haircut" but you can program it with anything,
up to 20 knocks long. Use your favorite song, Morse code, whatever.
