IoTuino is an Arduino-compatible Wi-Fi module for the Internet of Things

Developed by Authometion, IoTtuino is an Arduino-compatible tiny core module for the Internet of Things. Recently launched on Indiegogo, the Italian-based startup aspires to help Makers create smart homes through a number of DIY automation applications.

“The goal of the product is to offer all makers and developers the opportunity to work with a powerful yet miniaturized microcontroller for rapid prototyping and to leverage the Arduino open-source electronics platform to build plenty of IoT devices,” explained Authometion CEO Pietro Moscetta. “It can be embedded into any object to immediately embrace the IoT revolution.”

IoTuino is based on an ATmega328P MCU and features a built-in low-power Wi-Fi module (IEEE802.11 b/g/n), a 512Kb SPI Flash, a 2.4 GHz radio transceiver, and an integrated mini-USB programming port.

According to its creators, the module is the first and only development board that smoothly incorporates a native control over smart LED bulbs. “For the first time developers will have the possibility, using the popular Arduino environment, to control our LYT as a wireless sensor.”

Powered by an Atmel AT83EB5114 MCU, LYT is a 9W Wi-Fi smart RGB+W LED bulb with an E27 Edison screw base. The smart bulb works in coordination with IoTuino, which serves as a gateway and can be automated by sensors and actuators for things like heat, light, force, motion and sound. Essentially, Makers can use the IoTuino and LYT bundle to manage lighting by using the smart bulbs as if they were wireless sensors, customizing the devices’ functions.

“IoTuino and LYT can already be used with IFTTT, Zapier, and any other automation services through our free WebApp available for Windows, OSX and Linux,” the team notes.

Through such automation services, users can set triggers and develop multiple scenarios for the lights, ranging from blinking effects when a social media message is received and changing colors to notify of an incoming mobile call to syncing lights with streaming music on a connected device and setting the mood.

“Our end goal is to improve user experience, convenience, comfort, energy efficiency, and security in the most important place: your home,” said Moscetta.

Those interested in learning more or helping fund Authomntion’s latest Atmel based devices can head on over the company’s official Indiegogo page here.

TowStop notifies drivers when they’re in tow-away zones

Nothing is worse than walking back to your parking spot to find a hefty parking ticket under your vehicle’s windshield, or even worse, your car has been towed. Thanks to a Maker by the name of  Daniel Kalliontzis, this can all be prevented. Recently launched on Indiegogo, TowStop is a motion-activated alert button that can save both your car and some dollars along the way.

According to Kalliontzis, one attaches TowStop to their vehicle’s windshield with its conjoining suction cups. Once affixed to the glass, the device can be activated by the police with a simple touch. TowStop will then immediately notify the driver to return to his or her vehicle upon contact, while an SMS display will inform the police of just how long before your return. However, practice with caution, as your fate is still in the hands of the officer.

The device can easily be charged via a Mini-USB, the same connection in which can be used for software updates.

TowStop is also a great alternative for those living in crowded, unfriendly parking cities. Homeowners (or renters) can easily notify drivers of accidentally blocked driveways.

Have a friend who continues to get tickets during those nights on the town? Since a user can program any number into the device, TowStop can be lent to a friend in need. Simply enter a cell number (which can easily be changed) and from that moment on, they will receive an alert when it’s time to remove the vehicle.

The TowStop is currently seeking €50,000 on Indiegogo. If successfully funded, future functionalities include a GPS to locate misplaced vehicles.

 

Gamebuino is a credit card-sized gaming console powered by ATmega328

Developed by National Engineering School of Saint-Etienne student Aurélien Rodot, Gamebuino is a retro-inspired, pocket-sized game console built around an ATmega328 microcontroller (MCU). No larger than a credit card, the successfully crowdfunded device gives a whole new meaning to portable gaming. With its metallic and vintage appearance, it will surely spark up some technostalgia of the Gameboy Advance of the early 2000s.

As its site explains, Gamebuino is a true turnkey solution that enables Makers of all ages to begin creating their own 8-bit games, even with very little programming knowledge. For those advanced users, Rodot has made it open-source, hackable and expandable.

“That’s what I love about Gamebuino, it’s easy enough for beginners to start playing with immediately but restrictive enough to provide a decent challenge to those willing to push the hardware to its limit,” Rodot writes. “Because everybody doesn’t know electronics and C++, explained examples of increasing complexity will help you to learn seamlessly.”

“To make things even easier, a full library to help you develop games is included. You want to display a keyboard? Simply use keyboard()! You wanna rock out a fancy 4-channel music in the background while blasting and dashing through your level? Just call play(tetris)!”

The project’s library allows a Maker to start programming their game in minutes, while the console is shipped ready-to-operate right out of the box. However, for those with an innovative side, the device’s extension ports offer complete customization by adding modules or connecting several Gamebuino consoles to play against your friends.

“You can use you Gamebuino as an interface for any electronic system: as a controller, a monitor, a data-logger, a console, or whatever. Connect it with your computer, your 3D printer, or your last robotic project… the only limit is your imagination!”

Aside from Atmel’s ATmega328 MCU, key project specs include:

• 84*48px monochrome display + auto backlight
• Magnetic speaker, four channels
• Arrows + A B C buttons (input)
• 1x micro USB, 1x micro SD card, 2x I2C
• 24h life, 240mAh LiPo battery, charged via USB

Rodot also noted that Gamebuino supports multiplayer gaming via daisy-chaining (I2C ports), as well as accelerometers, wireless communication and additional outputs with plug-in modules. “Gamebuino is compatible with any I2C module. You can find some of them from Seeed Studio’s Grove System or Tinkerkit. They even have the right connector,” Rodot added.

As you can imagine, the handheld device was a hit on Indiegogo back in April 2014. The engineering student had garnered well over his original crowdfunding goal of €3,141 — raising 10 times the amount! Now for only €35, the initial batch of consoles are selling like hotcakes, with more than 1,000 customers worldwide spanning from North America to Europe.

Interested in learning more or ordering your very own Gamebuino? Hurry on over out the project’s official page here.

 

The all-in-one FABtotum has arrived!

When the FABtotum launched on Indiegogo last year, it almost seemed too good to be true. The team of Makers behind the Italian startup designed a fully-functional, hybrid additive/subtractive CNC device that was capable of printing, cutting, milling and scanning.

As the world’s first all-in-one, low-cost desktop personal fabrication device, it was no surprise when the crowdfunding campaign garnered nearly $590,000 — well over its original $50,000 goal.

Earlier this month, the FABtotum team began dispersing their creations to early-adopting backers. “Today we celebrate a year-long effort that culminated with today’s event,” said FABtotum CEO Marco Rizzuto. “With the launch of the FABtotum, we salute the birth of a new rapid manufacturing paradigm.”

And, similar to a number of other 3D printers and CNC devices which are based on AVR XMEGA and megaAVR microcontrollers, FABtotum’s main board is powered by an ATmega1280 while an ATmega8 lies within the printer’s hybrid head.

While FABtotum is capable of 3D printing objects with the common fused filament fabrication (FFF) technique, exploring design and shape possibilities has never been faster (or cheaper for that matter). With a 210x240x240 mm build area, and a 24% print-to-printer size ratio, the FABtotum is already a solid choice when picking out a high-end printer.

However, sometimes 3D printing is just not enough. Luckily for Makers, the device boasts a dual-head with an engraving/milling spindle motor that can be used to accomplish a wide range of machine operations on many common materials including wood, light aluminum or even brass alloys.

The fabrication device’s detachable head “can accommodate another subtractive or additive head on top, such as a more powerful motor, a small laser diode module for paper cutting, a pick and place clamp or a syringe for scientific applications. FABtotum could be even used for complex coil winding.”

Equipped with 8GB of built-in memory, FABtotum is capable of printing not only without being connected to a computer, but from cabled LAN, wireless LAN and remotely from the Internet. To put icing on the cake, a high-speed, medium-quality laser scanner is included to enable the FABtotum to recreate objects as small as a coin. With the laser incorporated into the design system, the reverse engineering prospects are seemingly endless.

Those who attended the recent World Maker Faire in New York may have noticed the FABtotum on display in the 3D Printing Village. Arduino Co-Founder Massimo Banzi even dubbed it the “coolest 3D printer” at the show.

undoubtedly @fabtotum was the coolest 3d printer at @makerfaire #WMF14 , pity it was in a microscopic corner 🙂

— Massimo Banzi (@mbanzi) September 23, 2014

So, who’s ready to print, cut, mill, scan, manipulate, rinse and repeat? For those interested exploring this all-in-one device, head on over to FABtotum’s official page here.

 

SKULLY AR-1 is the world’s smartest motorcycle helmet

Well, if hoverbikes are going to be hitting the streets in the near future, riders are going to need a space-age headgear to go with their new vehicle. In comes the SKULLY AR-1, the world’s smartest motorcycle helmet. In a show of support, riders across the globe have responded with unprecedented funding. In fact, the Indiegogo campaign skyrocketed past its original goal of $250,000 in just eight minutes on August 11th, and by midday had nearly tripled that goal with 340 preorders. The Skully AR-1 is the fastest IndieGoGo hardware campaign to reach $1 million to date.

What more could a motorcycle helmet do than protect your precious brain? The AR-1 boasts enough technology to make even most savvy engineer look twice… even our very own Paul Rako! The one-of-a-kind helmet combines a 180-degree rear-view camera, heads-up display, a rear-facing camera, turn-by-turn GPS, electro-chromic face shield, voice control, Bluetooth connectivity and smartphone pairing — all while DOT and ECE-certified for safety!

Just last month, SKULLY Founder and CEO Marcus Weller announced, “We are beyond excited to begin production on what has become the most anticipated motorcycle helmet in history. We are doing something so few companies have the opportunity to do… we are changing an industry and forcing the world to adapt.”

The lightweight polycarbonate helmet features all the regular expectations of a top-of-the-line helmet, such as an anti-fog and anti-scratch visor and a customizable (albeit 3D laser cutting!) fit. To go with these high-end features, the AR-1 does utilize technology in a way never before imagined in this field.

The rear-facing camera provides a 180-degree view on the HUD, along with select vehicle telemetry statistics. The helmet will also come equipped with onboard GPS technology, so even if a rider finds himself or herself outside of cell coverage, they can find their way back home. An embedded high-speed microprocessor aids the device in analyzing and displaying all of the collected data. In the spirit of the open source movement, the company will be releasing an SDK in the coming months so that the riding community can help improve the onboard software applications.

“The AR-1 is our little dent in the universe. The AR-1 will introduce a new era in intelligent transportation by combining optics, intelligent vehicle systems and connectivity to deliver unprecedented levels of safety,” its founder adds.

The AR-1 currently costs $1,399 when pre-ordered with an international price of $1,499, or $25,000 for one of four original prototypes. Interested? More details can be found on SKULLY’s official page here.

SKULLY’s dynamic helmet is just one of many of the latest wearable innovations making an impact. Smart helmets call for smarter designs which call for the smartest MCUs.

OpenTracker v2 is a SAM3A8C-based GPS and GLONASS tracker

OpenTracker v2 — which made its Indiegogo debut back in June — has become the latest partner in the Arduino At Heart Program. The device is an open-source, commercial grade GPS/GLONASS vehicle tracker that is packed with a powerful 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 CPU (Atmel SAM3A8C), and equipped with a free web interface for tracking on both Google Maps and OpenStreetMap.

Whether it’s monitoring a single vehicle or a fleet, the Arduino-compatible OpenTracker v2 enables a user to divide the devices into groups for easier management of larger convoys. Users can track the location, speed, altitude, direction, and address of the vehicle, as well as save logs of location data for later use.

Ready to run right out-of-the-box, the OpenTracker v2 includes the same powerful 32-bit Atmel ARM controller as the Arduino Due, a GSM/GPRS modem for wireless connectivity, a GPS/GLONASS module with assisted-GPS, CAN-BUS, plenty of I/O, and a wide operating temperature range of -35°C to 80°C. Not only limited to being used as tracking device, the included CAN-BUS, plentiful I/O and on-board GSM/GPRS modem can be used to create countless apps, ranging from a CAN-BUS logger to a weather station with SMS notifications. The on-board GSM/GPRS modem also enables a user to change the tracker settings remotely using a mobile device and to transform the OpenTracker v2 into a completely different application where wireless data transfer is useful.

When describing the reason for selecting OpenTracker v2, its creators say that “adding GPS functionality to an Arduino application can be a tedious process and requires at least an additional GPS Shield and a GPS antenna. This adds considerable cost and size to the application. In addition, this setup only allows the creation of rudimentary GPS data logging applications without real-time tracking.” Fortunately, the Atmel-powered, all-in-one device is a much more cost-effective, easier-to-use solution than compiling the bill of materials and working through the challenging online interface development.

The thinner, more affordable second version comes equipped with several improved features, such as the powerful ARM Cortex-M3 controller and increased number of I/O options. Interested in learning more or funding this campaign? Head over to its official Indiegogo page here.

You can also learn more about the SAM3A8C as well as the other Atmel® | SMART™ line of ARM-based MCUs here.

On the road from Makers to consumers

It’s time to break with conventional thinking. For decades, the measure of success for semiconductors has been OEM design wins. Most consumers haven’t known, or cared, about what is inside their electronic gadgets, as long as they work. That may be about to change, because a new intermediary is finding its voice – and being heard in high places.

Intel and Apple, in different ways, began challenging the norm by pursuing consumer branding and developing pull-through demand for their parts as drivers of the overall experience. Coupling what people “feel” about their devices with the technology powering them creates an almost unbreakable bond, akin to a religious response. Reaching billions of people has required billions of dollars and high profile advertising campaigns – out of the question for most embedded semiconductor companies.

A new road is being carved across the landscape, paved not with gigantic chips packing billions of transistors delivering a cascade of social chatter and streaming entertainment content. This road is built with ideas carried on small boards and open source software, and a sense of wonder about how the world works, and what we can do to shape it.

Somewhere on that road right now is a big truck, captured in pixels at a stop in June 2014 that may go down as a turning point in the annals of semiconductor evolution.

Overstated? The truck tour is a tried-and-true mechanism for reaching industrial OEMs, taking hands-on demonstrations to cities far from the sources of silicon and software innovation. If we were only talking about embedded design and the industrial IoT, it’d be business as usual, and this would be just another truck with a fancy paint job and a couple of FAEs inside.

But, it’s not. The industrial IoT is wonderful and welcome, however by and of itself it won’t generate the billions of units needed to drive a recovery and restart growth in semiconductors and the economy at-large. That will only come from reaching and capturing consumers with IoT technology, in a big way.

And that, so far, has proven difficult. After all, even industry experts are feverishly debating the name IoT, questioning what applications really fall under the moniker, or what exactly it means. Much like “smart grid” and “mHealth” before it, the term IoT means something in the developer community, but not so much to consumers who don’t yet see a connection between the Internet and how they use everyday things.

A recent SOASTA survey suggests 73% of the US has never heard of the IoT, at least until an interviewer explains it to them. (I’m curious why that number always seems to be 73% no matter the topic, but let’s just say 3 out of 4 – I believe it.) When hearing oral arguments in the Aereo case earlier this year, several US Supreme Court justices issued queries indicating a limited grasp of technology. (Cut to Keyrock: “I’m just a caveman … your modern ways frighten and confuse me.”)

This isn’t a lack of intelligence on their part; it’s a lack of generating the needed visibility on our part. These are the people we all must reach if we have a hope to succeed. Who is going to reach them? Makers, armed with our tools and their ideas. Atmel and other tech firms reaching Washington and the first-ever White House Maker Faire, side by side with people like the star of Sylvia’s Super-Awesome Maker Show, was a milestone in delivering the message to the masses. This goes way beyond the T and E in STEM; remember, the social transformation was driven by youth, and young makers are going to drive the uptake of the consumer IoT.

Why? Well, frankly speaking, they don’t think like engineers – they think like actual, real-life users. I made the comment recently that we need to be careful, the people we are trying to reach can drive smartphones, not (name of other popular maker module redacted … sorry, Arduino didn’t rhyme.) Don’t be distracted by a 17-foot tall mechatronic giraffe with lava lamps for ears and a penchant for partying, or by the Obama crack about we don’t spell “fair” with an ‘e’ in this country. These are people designing things they, and people like them, want to use. More importantly, they will provide the translation of what the new technology can do, renarrating the story from the language of semiconductor companies to the wants of the average consumer.

Makers are the people we need to win with. That idea isn’t lost on Chrysler, who has co-opted the maker movement as their idea in 2014 commercials. Makers care about what is inside, and they are choosing Atmel in droves – in part because Atmel has redirected technological and social media energy into nurturing them, away from just talking to the button-down, risk-adverse, safety-is-job-one industrial community. Intel and other chip suppliers are feverishly trying to catch the wave with makers, moving away from the “e2e” stance that only takes us so far in this next phase.

It’s not for the faint of heart, or the impatient. The industrial IoT is safe, somewhat predictable ground for experienced firms, whereas the consumer IoT still borders on bubble in many minds. The maker movement is now what the university programs were back when to semiconductor firms, taken to the next level and reaching an even wider audience. Design wins with makers now likely won’t show up in the volume shipments column right away – but, they will show up as consumers get the IoT over time.

This post has been republished with permission from SemiWiki.com, where Don Dingee is a featured blogger. It first appeared there on June 19, 2014.

You’ve got time on your hands with Ritot

Inspired by your favorite sci-fi movie, Ritot is a modern smart watch that is surging in popularity. Designed by Ukrainian-based Michael Medvid, Ritot is billed as a projection smart watch, as it projects notifications onto the wearer’s hand. With a slight flick of the wrist, a wearer can display the time of day, their latest tweets, or even a weather update onto their hand.

The waterproof band is available in two styles, sport and bracelet, and can be used to provide the user with a multitude of informational updates. Once synced with a smartphone, the Ritot can not only display the time, but missed calls, texts, caller ID, calendar alerts, and Facebook messages among other options.

The wearable device also comes equipped with a wireless battery panel that doubles as an interface that lets you change the color of the watch’s projections. The projection is proven to be safe for the user’s skin while the color of the displayed text can switch between 20 colors at the simple push of a button. Ubergizmo reports that the team stands behind their claim of up to 150 hours of use in projection mode and a staggering month’s lifespan while in standby mode. Included in the futuristic watch’s package is a wireless charging device that also doubles as an alarm clock.

The Ritot team started an Indiegogo campaign with an initial goal of $50,000, yet the device’s ingenious design has piqued the interest of the wearable tech community. The team behind the wrist worn gadget has currently crowd-funded over $665,000. As of now, there is no functional prototype of the band, but with the overwhelming financial response from the community, the Ritot team hopes to ship product to their initial contributors in early 2015.

Meet Jibo, the world’s first family bot

Turns out, your next family member may neither be flesh nor blood; it may consist of aluminum, plastic and microcontrollers instead. Created by Dr. Cynthia Breazeal, Director of the Personal Robots Group at MIT Media Lab, the world will soon have its first family robot. Standing at only 11 inches tall and weighing just six pounds, Jibo makes quite a big impression.

Stemming from her fascination with “Star Wars” and observations of NASA robots on Mars, Dr. Breazeal sought out to develop a ‘bot that could engage in human interaction.

Out of the box, Jibo has the ability to learn about those around it, recognize various voices and distinguish different faces. Designed to engage with people, Jibo takes on various roles around the house including mail deliverer, environment controller, storyteller, telepresence device, event reminder, and cameraman. Not only can it sing and dance, engage in casual conversation and complete daily tasks, its creator hopes Jibo can play an integral role in educating children, healthcare management and aiding the elderly.

“Jibo is this helpful presence that helps support your family, your human network, to be more efficient and feel more connected,” says Dr. Breazeal.

Jibo began its crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo this past Wednesday, in hopes of reaching a $100,000. According to Dr. Breazeal, the crowdfunding approach is their way of getting feedback on the prototype from the most interested community of bot-enthusiasts out there. Well, it appears there are several as the project as already raised over $635,000 in a matter of days. The bot is currently selling for $499 to consumers and $599 to developers.

“Because JIBO is an open platform, his skills and applications will grow, helping and delighting in ways even we haven’t even imagined,” a rep shared on its official Indiegogo page.

As GigaOM notes, ”the startup would like to see developers pair Jibo with connected devices. A Nest thermostat would still do its job of tracking your patterns and adjusting your home’s heating and cooling, but Jibo would act as its face. Instead of programming the thermostat through your phone, you would just ask Jibo to take care of it.”

For those interested, key technical specs include:

• 

Processor: High-end ARM-based mobile
• Sensors: 2 color stereo cameras; 360° sound localization; full-body touch sensors
• Movement: 3 full-revolute axes; high-res encoder; feedback control
• Display: HD LCD touchscreen
• Lighting: Full-spectrum ambient LED
• Power: AC adaptor, battery-ready
• Platform: Embedded Linux-based

If you’re looking for the newest (robotic) addition to your household, it looks like you may have to wait just a bit. Jibo’s slated arrival isn’t until the fall of 2015, more than a year away.

UPDATE: The Indiegogo campaign has now raised $1,194,282 in pledges.

Touchless 3Dpad gets a Matlab update

Back in May, Ootsidebox introduced the 3Dpad, a sophisticated touchless gesture control interface with a depth perception of 10cm.

The platform – which made its Indiegogo debut last month – comprises three primary components:

• Electrode plane PCB
• Arduino shield
• Arduino Uno (Atmel ATmega328 MCU)

“To detect the proximity of the human hand or finger, we use the projected capacitive technique. This is the principle of virtually all modern touch screens – except that now we are in the air, relatively far away from the detector surface (10 cm max). So we build capacitors which are as ‘open’ as possible, using electrodes drawn on the electrode plane PCB in order to obtain a maximum ‘hand effect,’” 3Dpad creator Jean-Noël explained.

“[Meanwhile], the capacitors formed by the electrodes are part of an oscillator whose frequency is influenced by the distance of a hand. When it enters the electrostatic field, this ‘intruder’ is going to cut the field lines and divert the electrical charges. The closer the hand approaches the electrodes, the more the oscillator’s frequency increases.”

Recently, Jean-Noël told Bits & Pieces that Ootsidebox is working with Matlab to create a 3Dpad Arduino shield as a Simulink block.

“After a discussion we had with MathWorks, we decided to make the 3Dpad Arduino shield  available as a Simulink block, downloadable from MATLAB central,” he explained.

“We are convinced that this solution, which enables graphical programing, is one of the best ways to learn and experiment with Arduino.”

In addition, says Jean-Noël, the Ootsidebox team is designing a MIDI controller for electronic music built around the 3Dpad.

“It will be based on 3Dpad shield + an Atmel-based Arduino Mega,” he added. “Making a ‘virtual percussion’ system with few 3Dpad synchronized sounds good!”

Interested in learning more about the 3Dpad? You can check out the the project’s official Indiegogo page here and browse our Ootsidebox article archive here.