Hasta La Gadget!

Sure, it looks just about like every other Arduino board found at Maker Faire, but this one’s special. How so? It’s Google-branded, and not only that, but Google-endorsed. Shortly after the search giant introduced its Android Open Accessory standard and ADK reference hardware, a smattering of companies were already demonstrating wares created around it. Remote-control robots? Check. Nexus S-controlled gardens? Check. A laughably large Labyrinth? Double check. It’s already clear that the sky’s the limit with this thing, and we’re as eager as anyone to see ’em start floating out to more developers. Have a look in the gallery for close-ups of the guts, and peek past the break for a video of the aforementioned Xoom-dictated Labyrinth.

Continue reading Google’s Arduino-based ADK powers robots, home gardens and giant Labyrinth (video)

Google’s Arduino-based ADK powers robots, home gardens and giant Labyrinth (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 May 2011 10:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What do you get when you get when you combine a fan and a scooter? If you said “Scooterfan,” you should be ashamed. Really ashamed. The correct answer, clearly, is Fanscooter, the latest project from fighting robot builder / MIT engineering student Charles Guan, the guy who brought the world the similarly named and equally breezy Fankart last summer. What this new DIY vehicle lacks in the ominous ever-forward creep of its predecessor, it makes up in actual vehicular rideability, marking the return of Guan’s HFF propeller — the “h” stands for “holy” and the second “f” stands for “fan” — which is positioned between two Razor Scooter decks. The whole things is topped off by a power source taped on in a manner that would surely put Homeland Security on high alert. Checkout of some slow-motion Jackass-style video of the project, after the break.

Continue reading Fanscooter is the world’s slowest extreme sport (video)

Fanscooter is the world’s slowest extreme sport (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 May 2011 10:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We don’t do a whole lot of reporting on ancient weaponry here, because, well, it’s a little dated — but throw in an Arduino and a servo, and you’ve got our attention. Take, for example, this miniaturized trebuchet. Constructed from a series of click-in-place pieces known as Blocklets, the little launcher is basically a standalone slingshot. With the addition of the aforementioned components, however, it becomes a motorized annoyance for anyone and anything that stands in its way. The folks behind the tiny trebuchet tested its capabilities against a sculpture similarly built from Blocklets, but we prefer the challenge of a moving target. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait to get all medieval with this thing, as Blockets haven’t quite made it out of the funding stage yet.

Blocklets’ Arduino-powered trebuchet could be your cat’s worst nightmare (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 May 2011 08:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This, friends, is a work of art. Above is a stunning, fully-functional recreation of the original Donkey Kong arcade cabinet — and it’s only 8.25 inches tall. The accomplished modder Bender posted his handiwork on the Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum and it’s sure to wow even the most cynical of folks. At the heart of this build is a hacked up GamePark GP2X Wiz running MAME, but it’s the attention to detail, including the printed vinyl decals and light-up marquee, that really pull this (supposedly world’s smallest) 1/8 scale project together. Check out the gallery below and the pair of lengthy demo videos after the break. En garde Mr. Heck!

[Thanks, Brian]

Continue reading World’s smallest Donkey Kong cabinet delivers authentic arcade experience for tiny fingers (video)

World’s smallest Donkey Kong cabinet delivers authentic arcade experience for tiny fingers (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 May 2011 15:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sure, you could opt for a laser tripwire that puts intruders on blast via Twitter, but there’s something to be said for the simplicity of the latest security system to come from Instructables user EngineeringShock. You’ve seen this setup before: a group of mirrors are strategically positioned to bounce a laser beam across an open space, ensuring that even the most nimble of invaders — excepting MacGyver, perhaps — will set sirens blaring. Consisting of a programmable keypad, a laser and detector, a series of six carefully aligned mirrors, and an LED-equipped siren, the system does Hollywood-style security on a budget — the siren being the most expensive element at $20. If you’re looking to lock your stuff down like they do in the movies, follow the source link for full instructions, or check out the video demo after the break.

Continue reading Laser tripwire does Hollywood-style security on the cheap, precious jewels not included

Laser tripwire does Hollywood-style security on the cheap, precious jewels not included originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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