Petduino is an Arduino-powered virtual pet

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Arduino + Tamagotchi = Petduino 

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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.

Building an Arduino-based alarm shield

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Maker develops an anti-theft alarm shield compatible with a range of sensors, RFID, GSM and a web server.

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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.

Intrigued? Head over to the project’s page on Hackaday.io here.

This Arduino-powered instrument turns Bitcoin into sounds

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::vtol:: has done it again! This time he has turned cryptocurrencies into tunes with a giant Arduino-powered string instrument.

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Although cryptocurrencies may not be printed on paper or metalicized into coins, it doesn’t mean that Bitcoin and Litecoin can’t still be brought to life. Just ask Dmitry Morozov, also known as ::vtol::, who has transformed those digital bits into something quite tangible… music.

The artist’s latest piece, dubbed Silk, is an installation comprised of two six-foot metal towers strung with wire, which tracks the real-time changes in market activities related to cryptocurrencies. Motorized fingers pull one of five strings, with each one representing a different currency, as the rates fluctuate: dollar, Yuan, Euro, Canadian dollar and Ruble. The resulting sound is then picked up by a pair of Dimarzio guitar pickups, and emitted through a set of speakers.

The music is all in the data, however. As the Bitcoin and Litecoin cryptocurrencies change in value against the more traditional currencies, the imagined monetary values generate new melodies and rhythms.

Behind all the magic lies an automatic tuning mechanism comprised of 10 stepper motors and 10 servo motors that is tasked with precisely plucking the wires, all driven by an Arduino board and some MaxMSP and Pure Data programming.

“This piece explores how new technologies and progress in such areas of knowledge as cryptography, mathematics, computer science influence the financial system, inevitably changing the social structure of the society. These changes can be characterised by growing decentralization, transparency, unfalsifiability, immateriality of values,” the artist adds. “The ‘Silk road’ of the future, the global network of Internet is creating its own unit of exchange independent from political and geographical limitations. Bitcoin has no material analogue, and may be only conditionally compared to existing currencies, in fact being a protocol of values transfer. Technologies of future stimulate creation of virtual entities, which still have no less real meaning – and Bitcoin is one of the first examples.”

Okay, so although it’s not the most harmonic and soothing tunes you’ve ever heard, it’s pretty mesmerizing if you ask us. See for yourself below!

Nelson is a Arduino-powered, Wi-Fi connected device

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Nelson is a tiny connected module designed to bring everyday objects to life, remotely.

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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.

ANDBOT is a C-3PO-like robot for your home

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ANDBOT is a humanoid that is less of a robot but more of a companion to you and your family.

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If there’s one thing that recent crowdfunding projects have demonstrated, it’s that social robots will soon be making their way into our homes. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, either. Think about it: You’d never have to worry about all those tedious chores. No more sweeping. No more laundry. No more doing the dishes. Heck, no more arguments with your significant other for failing to do something!

Developed by the team over at Advanced Robotics, ANDBOT is a C-3PO-esque humanoid that can handle daily activities and protect your household. The robot boasts an impressive range of hand/arm motions that allows it to perform complex tasks, with human-like precision. For instance, you can have it hand deliver breakfast to you in bed or should you get locked out of your home, simply text ANDBOT and it will unlock the front door for you.

Its creators also designed ANDBOT with expandability in mind. Meaning, you will have the option of adding on various modules, whether it’s a vacuum attachment for spring cleaning, a beer holder for your Monday Night Football party, and even a rim for some indoor NERF basketball action.

“Robots have been around for some time, but not many can offer the human likeness as ANDBOT, where its arms can move 90 degrees up/down and hands can rotate 360 degrees. With its full range of motion, imagine the possibilities,” the startup explains. “Not all robots are created equal. With ANDBOT, it is as close to human as you can get, with a full range of hand and arm motions. What we do with our hands, so can ANDBOT, holding, pulling, opening, pushing, etc.”

ANDBOT is equipped with facial recognition, which enables it to decipher between your family members and unwelcomed guests. And just like us, the humanoid is capable of sensing different emotions and then reacting with appropriate responses. Having a bad day? Your social bot will always be there for you, especially when no one else is around.

So, what functionalities does ANDBOT possess? For starters, it can serve as your personal assistant with up-to-the-minute reminders and information, your security guard with remote monitoring for intruders and dangerous gases sensors, your smart home controller with light, thermostat and media center integration, your workout buddy, your own chef, or simply your favorite bedtime storyteller. The hope is that it will become less of a robot and more of a companion to you and your family.

The humanoid is driven by an Arduino Due (SAM3X8E) along with a pair of Arduino Uno (ATmega328) boards. ANDBOT relies on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for communication, a 12V lithium-ion battery for power and and runs on the ROS/Android platform. In terms of its electronics, the bot features two HD speakers, LEDs for eyes, a multitude of sensors (ultrasonic, sound, bumper, humidity, carbon monoxide, air quality and temperature), an accelerometer and gyroscope, a LIDAR-Lite laser, a PIR motion detector, motor drivers, a camera and a 10.1″ touch display on its belly.

What’s more, ANDBOT will send notifications to your smartphone via its accompanying app whenever its embedded sensors are triggered. There’s even a built-in portable oxygen system for the elderly or those living in fire prone areas. The better question is, what can’t this social robot do?

Lastly, as we’ve seen with other platforms, ANDBOT will be open source with an SDK that can be used to help expand and improve its capabilities. And more importantly, you will have access to an extensive developer community to further the advancement of the robot.

Phew, that was a lot… sound like a companion you’d like to have in your household? Head over to ANDBOT’s Indiegogo campaign, where the Advanced Robotics team is currently seeking $150,000. You’ll have to sit tight, though, as delivery isn’t expected to get underway until April 2016.

Creating an NFC-enabled jukebox with Arduino

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One Maker has built his own jukebox with the help of Arduino, an NFC shield and a few tags.

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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 3D print objects with touch sensors already in them

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PrintPut is a new method for integrating simple touch and pressure sensors directly into 3D-printed objects.

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Although 3D printing has cut the time it takes to prototype down from days or weeks to just hours, adding interactivity to your project still leaves a lot to be desired. For instance, trying to wrap sensors around a complex shaped item can be downright difficult, let alone impossible in most cases. But what if there was a way to include input sensors directly on a 3D-printed object? Pretty cool, right? That’s the idea behind PrintPut, the brainchild of students at Queen’s University’s Human Media Lab.

Typically speaking, prototypes are used to help guide the design process on how an object should look, feel and behave. In an effort to take augmenting physical prototypes a step further, PrintPut uses conductive filament to offer an assortment of sensors that any user can now easily incorporate into their 3D models, such as buttons, pressure sensors, flex sensors, sliders and touchpads.

“On the one hand, physical prototyping is extremely useful for informing the aesthetic and ergonomic qualities of a product. But unlike their digital counterparts, the results of these prototyping methods are typically non-interactive,” the team writes.

What’s exciting is that these interactive elements can be embedded in just about any surface, not only flat ones, therefore opening up endless possibilities for creative minds. PrintPut combines conductive ABS filament and a dual-extruder 3D printer like the MakerBot Replicator 2X, along with a series of scripts to generate the sensor-laden 3D shape.

The process is not unlike that of an ordinary print job; it starts with a CAD model and importing it into a 3D printer’s build manager. A designer will then use a plugin to define the points and curves for the interactive areas. From there, the software determines how to integrate all of the conductive channels. What you’re left with are two interlocking 3D models — the conductive circuits and the base model with hollows for these created paths — which are sent over to the printer. Once the object is done printing, it is connected to an Arduino or other MCU via alligator clips.

A touch pad on a dome that can serve as an interactive globe? A slider printed onto a sine wave that DJs can use mix their beats? A pressure-sensitive toy robot for kids?

As you can imagine, the possibilities are endless. The project was initially introduced at the INTERACT 2015 conference in Bamberg, Germany. Intrigued? Check out PrintPut’s official page here, and be sure to catch it in action below!

[Images: Human Media Lab]

Creating instruments that surprise, amuse and excite

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OK GO, KORG and the Royal College of Art recently collaborated on a project that explored innovative musical instruments.

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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.

[h/t Creative Applications]

Read the time with this Arduino-compatible, full-color word clock

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You pick the color, ClockFOUR Chronogram tells you the time.

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You’re probably pretty familiar with clocks —chances are you’ve been reading the time since you were young. But what if you were to actually read the hours and minutes in words, not numbers?

Introducing the ClockFOUR Chronogram, a stylish timepiece with 182 individually addressable, full color pixels that are arranged in a unique 14×13 word clock matrix. The device has two buttons — one for the color, the other for selecting the mode. There’s also a reset button on its back, should that be necessary. A light sensor adjusts the clock’s brightness, and the display is powered through a standard wall plug. However, a battery backup logs in the time when the clock is moved or if there’s ever an outage.

The first thing you’ll notice about ClockFOUR is that it’s very bright. The gadget uses a new kind of individually addressable LED technology, allowing each pixel to be up to 10 times more lit-up than its predecessor, the ClockTHREE. The clock comes with a color match feature that gives you the freedom to set it to any hue. Simply hold down the color button, wait until the desired tone is displayed on the screen and let go — easy as that! There’s a few fun effects as well, which include a slow fade and a party mode that randomly cycles through the spectrum. And what’s more, the device is completely hackable thanks to its Arduino-compatible software and Python code that enables you to personalize the faceplate and backplate to your liking.

The brainchild of WyoLum’s Justin Shaw, this isn’t his first rodeo with the clock. Back in 2014, he developed his first prototype using PGB pixel strips attached to a basic IKEA frame, an Arduino Mini (ATmega328), and an RTC module. The second iteration was achieved with a WyoLum TiM board built inside an A4 picture frame, while his third take employed a custom all-in-one board designed in partnership with Seeed Studio.

“If Arduino can do it, there is no easier way,” Shaw explains in his bio. After experimenting briefly with the Basic Stamp and PIC mircocontrollers, he came across the Arduino platform and has never looked back.

Want one of your own? The time is now! Measuring just 28cm x 28cm x 3cm in size, it’ll be a welcomed accessory to any nightstand. Hurry over to ClockFOUR Chronogram’s Kickstarter page, where Shaw and the WyoLum team have surpassed their $5,000 goal. Estimated delivery is January 2016.

Maker builds a giant LEGO NES controller

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Baron von Brunk has created a fully-functional, Arduino-powered NES controller out of LEGO. 

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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.

Interested? Be sure to watch it in action, as well as check out the first edition of the LEGO NES controller here.