Who could ever forget everyone’s beloved virtual pet of the ‘90s, the Tamagotchi? Inspired by his own childhood experience with the toy, Maker Matt Brailsford decided to put a new spin on the old concept by developing a digital companion that you could actually build and configure yourself.
At the heart of the aptly named Petduino lies an Arduino Nano (ATmega328), which can be programmed using the standard Arduino IDE and the custom Petduino Arduino library. The device itself consists of an 8×8 LED matrix for its face and notifications, a pair of tactile buttons mounted for interaction, a light and temperature sensor for detecting its surroundings, a red LED for status messages, a buzzer for a voice, as well as an assortment of ears for choosing which type of “animal” you want your Petduino to be.
According to Brailsford, Petduino was conceived as a fun way to teach young Makers various skills like soldering, coding, animation, music and sensors. Each kit will ship as a collection of simple through-hole electrical components, circuit boards and laser-cut parts that can be easily assembled with nothing more than a basic understanding of soldering. So whether you’re a kid looking to begin tinkering or an adult wanting to spark some Tamagotchi nostalgia, Petduino is perfect for everyone! Head over to its official page to learn more.
With Maker Week now underway, Atmel is getting ready to take center stage at the Maker Faire New York on September 26-27th. Undoubtedly, this year will yet again be amazing as an expected 830+ Makers and 85,000+ attendees head to the New York Hall of Science to see the latest DIY gizmos and gadgets, as well as AVR Man in the flesh.
Once again a Silversmith Sponsor of the event, Atmel will be shining the spotlight on Arduino and a range of other Maker Movement-driven startups. Among the names you will find inside our booth include Arduboy, Keyboardio, Qtechknow, Microduino, Modulo, Zippy Robotics and Bosch. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to walk away with an Arduino shield and adapter board, along with some other flair.
Ah… there’s just so much to show and tell! And with the final countdown to Maker Faire on, what better way to capture and convey all those emotions than with these GIFs?
When you realize that Maker Faire is only days away.
When you wake up on the morning of the show.
When you get stuck in traffic en route to the New York Hall of Science.
When you spot the faire grounds entrance in the distance.
When you finally make it through the ticket line and entry gate.
When Arduino announces a new Atmel powered board.
When you see a 3D printer in action for the very first time.
When someone stops by your demo.
When people can’t stop talking about your project.
When you are given free sample kits.
When you realize there’s just so much to see. Where to even begin?
When you spot Massimo Banzi.
When… wait a minute… is that AVR Man?
When you come across a life-sized game of Mouse Trap.
When you proudly show off your new swag.
When you see a fellow Maker dressed in Steampunk.
When you’re inspired to go launch a Kickstarter campaign.
When you appear in MAKE: Magazine.
When you receive an Editor’s Choice Ribbon.
When you realize the end of the day is near.
When you remember there’s still Sunday.
When you’re surprised by the heat of a 69-foot-tall fire-breathing dragon.
When you can’t take your eyes off of the Coke Zero and Mentos demo.
When you arrive at the unbelievably long line for lunch.
When you can’t pronounce a project’s name.
When you prepare to do battle in the Game of Drones.
When you control an object with your mind.
When you learn a eight-year-old was the mastermind behind that project.
When the “State of Arduino” address is about to begin.
When you meet new Maker friends.
When the Power Racing Series brings your Mario Kart dream to life.
When a panel discussion sparks your curiosity.
When you find out that an Atmel chip is inside that gadget.
When you realize that Maker Faire is really coming to an end.
When you finally get home after an eventful weekend of making.
See you all in New York! For those unable to attend, don’t fret. Simply follow @Atmel on Twitter for all the latest happenings from the Faire. We’ll even be streaming some of it live to you via Periscope Fairescope!
Industruino Proto is a robust DIN rail mountable, Leonardo-compatible industrial controller with an LCD display.
Now the latest member of the Arduino AtHeart program, the Industruino Protois an Leonardo-compatible board housed inside a DIN rail mountable case. The unit itself is comprised of two parts: a self-contained, AVR powered main controller and a baseboard.
Built around the versatile ATmega32U4, the Industruino Proto features a prototyping area, an on-board LCD and a three-button membrane panel. This offers both Makers and professionals alike the ability take a breadboarded solution and quickly turn it into a neatly enclosed, finished looking product that’s ready for permanent installation. Whether employed for automation projects, data loggers or an interactive art installation, Industruino is a rugged, feature-rich and low-cost option for everyone.
Inside its enclosure lies the baseboard with a prototyping area for adding your own components, along with re-routable jumper connections for linking any point to either the MCU’s pins or external screw connectors.
“The Proto kit offers a large prototyping area to add your own circuitry as well as the following features: a 14-pin IDC expansion port to easily connect external modules, and a 2A switching voltage regulator taking any input voltage between 7-28V and generating a stable 5V output for the MCU and your own components,” its team writes.
Meanwhile, the Industruino Proto’s integrated 128×64 LCD and membrane button panel enable accelerated UI development for visualizing and inputting your application’s data.
It should be noted that the Industruino Proto is sold in kit form, and according to its creators, can be assembled in less than three minutes. Key specs include:
Maker develops an anti-theft alarm shield compatible with a range of sensors, RFID, GSM and a web server.
No stranger to the Hackaday Prize, a Maker by the name of “IngGaro” has developed an Arduino-based anti-theft shield that offers users many of the same functions as a commercial home automation system for a fraction of the cost.
Simply put, the project is a shield for an Arduino Mega (ATmega2560). The unit includes connections to an alarm, a GSM modem, temperature and humidity sensors, magnetic and IR movement sensors to detect tampering and intruders, as well as an Ethernet module, a siren and a small UPS 2.2Ah battery for power. The Arduino discreetly attaches to a remote control box mounted near the front door, which boasts an LCD display, an NFC and RFID reader for authorization, a speaker for feedback, and capacitive buttons to arm and disarm the system.
“The panel is connected to the shield with a long 2/4 wire cable. The result is pretty good and it works perfectly. Since the I2C cable that connects to the main circuit is long, more than [the] I2C specification, I planned to add some kind of serial translator,” IngGaro explains. “However, it already works perfectly so I didn’t need it; the only trick to make it working fine was to add some capacitors to the magnetic sensors pins near the Arduino, since the rolling shutter electric motors randomly introduced some noise that caused I2C errors.”
The whole system can be remotely managed from a web-based interface or a smartphone via its app. When activated, owners can receive notifications by way of text message and email. It also connects to other in-home automation systems, which allows the DIY device to do things like open/close the blinds, turn on/off lights, control security cameras and monitor the temperature and humidity inside the house. What’s more, users can even manually trigger the alarm to sound for “emergency purposes.” Pre-set times and other options are fully programmable and stored in the Arduino’s EEPROM.
What’s nice is that users can choose to enable both perimetral and volumetric sensors, or just perimetral only if they’re in the house, and then activate it with NFC. This will trigger a predefined domotic action, like closing the rolling shutters and turning off all the lights, and then provide an owner with a pre-defined amount of time to exit the house — no different than the grace period in traditional systems.
“If some windows (perimetral sensors) are opened before activating the system, they’re automatically disabled until they’re closed again. If you open a windows, the alarm sounds immediately; if you open the door (e.g. coming back home) or move in front of a volumetric sensor, you have a (configurable) amount of time to disable it. You can also configure how many consecutive times the siren will be activated on alarm, for how long, and the ‘pause’ length between two alarms,” IngGaro writes.
Beyond that, the anti-theft shield’s software was written with Arduino IDE. According to the Maker, he employed the help of several libraries, including UIPEthernet for Ethernet, time and timezone for time management, and LiquidCrystal_I2C for LCD, among a few others.
“The system configuration (sensor number/type, authorized NFC IDs, etc.) has to be hard-coded in the Arduino code in some proper sections; system options (siren duration and other timings, domotic control, etc.) may be runtime configurated through the web server, and will be stored in the Arduino EEPROM. Date and time are automatically and periodically acquired with NTP,” he adds.
Nelson is a tiny connected module designed to bring everyday objects to life, remotely.
With so many gizmos and gadgets becoming connected these days, sometimes it’s the simplistic ideas that stand out the most. Take Nelson, for example. Created by interaction designer Maxime Castelli, the tiny Wi-Fi module enables you to remotely control the mundane tasks in your everyday life. Need to feed the cat? Start the coffee machine as you wake up? Water the plants while away? This mechanism, though basic, can take care of all that for you.
Nelson is nothing more than an Arduino-powered robotic helper that’s based on the back and forth motion, like pushing a switch. Being wirelessly connected to the Internet allows you to control it from afar using an accompanying mobile app, along with pre-defined triggers that require just a push of a button. The project works seamlessly with your Wi-Fi devices, moving its little rod to and fro’ to carry out a variety of functions, which range from steeping the perfect cup of tea to turning on a fan.
Completed with the help of fellow designer Arthur Didier, Nelson is driven by an embedded Arduino Pro Micro (ATmega32U4) that is linked to Wi-Fi via a ESP8266 module with a servo motor. The app itself was made with openFrameworks. Intrigued? Check out the project’s official page here, or see its different use cases in action below.
One Maker has built his own jukebox with the help of Arduino, an NFC shield and a few tags.
Jukeboxes were among the first forms of automated coin-operated musical devices, dating all the way back to the 1920s. Following their inception, the boxes went on to become a common fixture at just about every diner, bar and laundromat, as well as play a prominent role in the sitcom Happy Days. However, with advancement in technologies, the idea of having to deposit a quarter (or two) into a chrome, colorful device became obsolete.
But what about inserting an NFC tag? If you’re wishing to relive some of your favorite jukebox memories, then you’ll appreciate a recent project from Mario Pucci who devised an ingenious way to play some tunes with the help of Arduino. To do this, the Italian Maker used an Uno (ATmega328) running Python and an NFC shield that reads songs programmed on a series of RFID tags as they make their way through the slot on top.
What you will also notice is that the musical machine itself was not made of wood, metal or plastic; instead, Pucci crafted it out of cardboard lying around his house. While it may be no 1952 Seeburg M100C, this DIY gadget is awesome! See it in action below!
Now you can play your favorite retro 8-bit games on your TV from an overclocked Arduino.
What can we say? There’s just something about retro gaming-inspired projects that we can’t resist. This week, we stumbled upon a project from a Maker by the name of “Rossumur,” who has found a way to play classic video games on your TV from an overclocked Arduino Pro Mini (ATmega328).
The aptly named Arduinocade boasts old-school, 8-bit color graphics along with four voice sound. All video and audio signals are generated on the Arduino board, with just three resistors, upgraded crystal and a little software magic. By overclocking the Pro Mini to 28.6363Mhz, the Maker was able him to directly manipulate NTSC to produce 27 simultaneous colors.
These colors were created with NTSC color artifacts — a designation that was commonly employed to address several graphic modes in home computers throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s. Essentially, it’s a trick where the display is really black and white, but due to a delay in the signal generation, the bits are out of whack from the reference “color burst” signal and appear on-screen as unique colors.
“Upgrading the crystal to 28.6363Mhz allows us to run at a multiple (8x CPU clock, 4x SPI output) of the NTSC subcarrier frequency,” the Maker writes. “By spitting out bits in the right pattern at the right time we can generate NTSC colorburst and different colors based on the relative phase of the pattern.”
In terms of sound, the audio driver has two parts. As Rossumur explains, the low-level kernel runs every HSYNC, stepping each of the four voices though its wavetable, mixing the sampled voices together based on their current volume and emitting a sample to the PWM/resistor single-bit DAC. This corresponds to a sample rate of 15734Hz. Meanwhile, the high-level task runs every frame at 60Hz, as well as adjusts envelope and modulates frequency of the underlying channels. It’s responsible for parsing data structures containing music and effects, modifying volume envelopes and frequencies, swapping wavetables for different instruments and so forth.
Arduinocade supports a number of IR game controllers, including keyboards, Atari Flashback 4 joysticks and wireless devices like the Apple TV remote. What’s more, the DIY system will let you relive your fondest childhood memories by playing games such as Ballblazer, Caverns of Mars, and of course, Pac-Man.
OK GO, KORG and the Royal College of Art recently collaborated on a project that explored innovative musical instruments.
By now, most of you probably know that the band OK GO is a large advocate of the Maker Movement. The group recently collaborated with music instrument producer KORG and students from the Platform 21 unit in the Design Products Department at the Royal College of Art in London. The project, called Hack ’n Roll, encouraged participants to create a series of objects that would not only generate sound, but would do so in a visually appealing and entertaining way.
The Makers were divided into three teams: Team OK, Team G and Team O. Each team used a variety of KORG products as a starting point, devising instruments or a space that would enable the musician to play while being free from traditional constraints imposed by existing tools. The goal was to have a set of devices that would interface between the performers and the instruments/system and could be played on stage with their bodies. The song that they would perform was “Another Set of Issues” by OK GO, of course.
First, Team OK based their creation on the concept of “visual amplification” where the circuitry of a KORG MS-20 mini was hacked and rewired to play only four notes from the song’s repeating bassline. Rotating a handle on its side triggers the circuit and oversized keys to play the corresponding notes. Aside from the mini synth, the system was comprised of a half-dozen Arduino boards, stepper motors, stepper shields and Fresnel lenses, as well as some pieces of clear acrylic and lumber.
“The faces and bodies of the band members are magnified and distorted as the chorus of the song, ‘Another Set of Issues’ is played on KORG’s MS-20 mini. The six notes to play the chorus sequence are programmed as triggers that rotate six stepper motors that are attached to large Fresnel lenses within the frame,” the team writes.
The next group, Team G, focused on “floating keyboards.” This consisted of eight modular keyboards linked together to make one long keyboard. As its name implies, each keyboard’s height changes with the music and is choreographed to the lyrics. This was achieved by attaching the keyboard to two motors, one on each side. The system is complemented by pulleys that create an extra visual effect and an optical light illusion.
“The concept for the floating keyboards is creating an object that both enhances the stage, audience experience through light and visuals, as well as creates a new humorous platform to play electronic music. Thus, making the experience more human based compared to pushing a button on a stage and just counting on lighting and visuals. The floating keyboard also allows OK GO band members to choreograph a routine both in tune with the song and their humorous style,” the Makers explain.
Lastly, Team O was tasked with “inflatables and contemporary busking” — an instrument specifically for one person that lets them deliver a range of different sounds. This particular unit was made up of five KORG synthesisers and a KORG Wavedrum. A trio of KORG Volca synthesizers was triggered by a foot switch, that when pressed, delivered one note programmed into the synthesizers. Meanwhile, a pair KORG Monotron were hacked and put through an Arduino to ultrasonic distance sensors. From these sensors, the pitch is controlled by hand on the side of the plinth.
“The closer your hand is to the sensor the lower the pitch and vice versa. All the devices are sent through a mixer, which is connected to an amp that outputs the sound. Having all the devices on display it allows the user to adjust anything and also shows the audience what devices are being used. A completely portable product contemporary busking brings its own style to street performance,” its creators mention.
When all is said and done, Hack ’n Roll was one pretty impressive project. However, you have to see it all in action to truly experience the full effect. Read all about it on its official page here.
This desktop robot can play chess, tic-tac-toe and ping pong against a human.
While industrial robots may not be anything new, a vast majority of them can start at $50,000, not to mention require an engineering background to program it. But what if there was a much smaller, IRB 2400-like unit that packed the same punch as its counterparts for a fraction of the cost? That’s the idea behind 7Bot, a desktop robot arm that can see, think and learn.
Designed with aspirations of making robots more accessible for everyone, 7Bot boasts an aluminum body with six high-torque servos and an optimized control algorithm for enhanced accuracy, stability and agility. Its creators tell us that the arm is embedded with an Arduino Due (SAM3X8E).
But that’s not all. 7Bot is equipped with artificial intelligence and will learn as it goes. Looking for someone to play chess against? Need some help doing your homework? Whatever it is, this robotic arm is up for the task! Using the team’s computer vision sample codes, you can adjust the parameters to build an automated assembly line right on your desk. And should you have two 7Bot arms, you can combine them to make your very own humanoid.
In terms of controlling the arm, any common human interactive device will do the trick. This includes everything from a traditional PC mouse to a keyboard, as well as gestures using Leap Motion and Kinect sensors. Additionally, custom built servos with feedback enable you to teach the robotic arm to accomplish tasks without coding.
“You can simply drag each joint of the robot to a serious of desired way points. The movements will be recorded, and could be replayed in an optimized path. Using teaching mode, you can easily guide your 7Bot arm performing some tasks,” the team writes. “With our embedded inverse-kinematics algorithm, the 7Bot arm can be precisely controlled using coordinates. And we have made web controlling application by using a Raspberry Pi as the host and with real-time feedback.”
They have also provided 3D visualization software for programing, which allows you to manipulate the arm intuitively. With this application, you can set and read the position of each joint separately with a real-time graphic interface and then interact with the 3D model using a mouse and keyboard.
“The robot can follow the movement in real-time. Or on the other side, you can perform simulation first, and generate way-point with the software, and then download the optimized moving path to your 7Bot arm. This is well suited for many algorithms that need lots of iterations in simulation, like reinforcement learning. You can get rid of any low-level coding for the robot.”
As for coding, 7Bot is compatible with Scratch, while more advanced developers have access to a wide range of open source APIs in C and C++.
7Bot is super flexible and can impressively mimic a real human limb. But just in case six degrees of freedom aren’t enough, you can always add a sliding mechanism to gain a seventh. Or, for a roving robot, simply throw it on an omni-directional mobile platform and roll around on its four Mecanum wheels.
The arm comes with a number of accessories too, such as a 3D-printed, dual-finger claw or an air vacuum gripper that can pick up and hold any two-pound object with a smooth exterior. It’s also super easy to be controlled with two digital signals. Meaning, you can use your Arduino, Raspberry Pi or any other microcontrollers.
Interested? Head over to its Kickstarter page, where the 7Bot crew is currently seeking $50,000. Delivery is slated for January 2016.
Baron von Brunk has created a fully-functional, Arduino-powered NES controller out of LEGO.
The original Nintendo controller is arguably one of, if not, the most iconic gaming accessories of our generation. After all, who could forget the clickety clack of the red “A” and “B” buttons and the black directional pad? Well, Maker Baron von Brunk — who you may recall from his Super Mario Bros. LEGO sprites — decided to pay homage to the device by building a freakin’ huge NES controller out of giant LEGO bricks and a series of tiles.
The gargantuan project was developed back in 2012 and released in 2013. At the time, it had used the circuitry from the original controller that was hacked apart and reattached to play actual NES games. Recently, von Brunk decided to revisit his earlier creation and make some changes, which included its aesthetics and electronics. In fact, he even used LEGO pieces to make the text.
The fully-functional LEGO gamepad sits atop a large folding table and features removable tiled plates as its ceiling. For this version, von Brunk removed the inner workings of the previous piece and employed an Arduino to serve as the brains of the operation. Unfortunately, this meant he could now only play computer games.
The embedded circuit powered is powered by an Arduino Micro (ATmega32U4), which is wired to eight momentary pushbuttons sitting beneath the large LEGO buttons suspended with Technic shock absorbers. When pressed, the bottoms make contact with the pushbuttons, thereby sending an electrical signal back to the Arduino, which is connected to the PC via USB.
von Brunk wrote an Arduino code that assigns the digital output pins to act as keyboard signals. He used an external gamepad and calibrated its buttons, which the computer reads as keystrokes. All of this is explained in his video below.
