A 15-year-old Maker by the name of Angelo has designed a homebrew pulse monitor using an Atmel basedArduino board, a grippy clothes hanger, clear/bright red LED and a light dependent resistor (LDR).
“Movies look cool with those EKG (electrocardiogram), the one that beeps and detects heart activities. A few months ago, we had to shoot a hospital scene for our school project. We needed an EKG instrument,” Angelo explains.
“To keep the movie authentic, we didn’t want to fake the readings so we made the next best thing, a pulse monitor. This project works and can actually monitor your pulse. [However], due to the lack of research and experimentation, the homebrew pulse monitor cannot be used for medical purposes.”
Have a friend or foe who continuously tells fibs? Good news! According to Angelo, the homebrew device can even be used as a rudimentary lie detector.
“When a person lies, you’ll notice a sudden change on the [pulse] graph,” he said.
On the software side, Angelo employs Processing 2 for graphing, along with a specially coded Arduino IDE sketch. Both are required to run the homebrew project.
In a recent Instructables post, Maker Chris Fry (who goes by the handle of n1cod3mus) details his journey to construct a flux capacitor from the ‘80s classic Back to the Future. Using an Arduino Uno (ATmega328), Fry certainly succeeded at his task.
In the post, Fry discusses his early obsessions with the hilarious film trilogy, “10 years back I decided I wanted to build a flux capacitor, but I got stuck back then because I didn’t have the correct skills at that time.”
Much like Dr. Brown, now a decade into the future, he decided to come back to it with my now improved skills and technology.
The Maker did some serious research to assure that his flux capacitor was as authentic as possible. After scouring the web he concluded that the enclosure was a Stahlin J1210HPL, which is now out of production. He used stills from the film to color and outfit this case as accurately as imaginable.
Though, he does divulge one change from Doc’s initial iteration claiming, “The original flux capacitor used in the films used incandescent bulbs, LEDs are better suited for our needs.” Subsequently, he went on to attach the Arduino to control each of the device’s many LEDs.
Once securing the electronics within the box and wiring up a speaker, the talented Maker even found time to add a remote control to this prop. In the video below, you can see the full device in action.
While the terms “smart” and Homer Simpson don’t often share the same sentence, this design from Thomas Amberg truly warrants the phrase. The web-enabled TV puppet remote is capable of turning on your tube whenever The Simpsons is playing.
Homer Simpson’s burgeoning belly is embedded with an Arduino Uno (ATmega328), which acts as a web server. Upon recording his television’s infrared signal (with help from this Adafruit tutorial), Amberg programmed his megaAVR based board to output the TV’s signal to turn it on. He then placed a set of IR LEDs into Homer’s vacant eyes.
“As Homer is too lazy to browse the web himself, a script in the cloud checks the online TV program for him. If Simpsons is on, the script triggers the Arduino web service in Homer’s belly to activate his infrared eyes. No brain involved,” the Maker writes.
Whenever an RSS feed notifies that The Simpsons is playing, Homer triggers the television to turn on and watch his own antics.
Amberg describes the cloud script saying, “Why is a cloud script needed at all? Fetching RSS right from the Arduino is an option, but as the feed contains starting times rather than triggers, the Arduino would have to keep track of the current time.”
After making the enhancements to the puppet, Amberg had himself a web-enabled, Duff-drinking, donut-eating remote ready for use. Want a Homer remote of your own? Click on over to the project’s Instructables post here.
A computer science student at UW-Milwaukee going by the handle of “bergerab” has devised another helpful tool using an Atmel ATtiny85 MCU. (If you recall, we previously highlighted his Helping Eyes visual aid.)
With on-campus backpack thefts on the rise, the Maker decided to take matters into his own hands and devise an anti-theft alarm to help ease his mind as well as those of fellow students.
The creation utilizes an ultrasonic range sensor to denote when a backpack has been lifted a certain distance off the floor. Once it has been moved from a resting location, the alarm will sound notifying those in the immediate surroundings of a possible theft. This is ideal for locations, like libraries or classrooms, where backpacks may be left unattended for extended periods of times.
The alarm itself can only be shut off with the input of a five digit binary code that is analyzed using 5 SPDT switches. In regards to the switches, bergerab writes, “Single Pole Double Throw switches have two positions and connects the center terminal to either the upper or lower terminal. This switch is perfect for our purposes.”
To boot, a buzzer has been linked to the ultrasonic sensor and ATtiny85 to scare off any possible thieves. The alarm will hopefully shock backpack looters enough that they will drop the bag.
Once the switch was soldered and the code uploaded to the device, bergerab’s next goal was to successfully mount and test it. He attached the device to his own backpack with a simple strap, but believes velcro or hot glue could be more secure options.
Have you been a victim of backpack theft? Worried about the safety of your possessions? Then, head over to bergerab’s Instructables page to protect your own belongings with a Maker twist!
Maker Daniel Sanz has put together this funky MIDI controller that employs conductive ink and a few capacitive sensors to produce sounds. The DIY nature of this design makes the possibilities for musical creation endless!
Sanz is a member Music Technology Group (MTG) at University Pompeu Fabra of Barcelona and devised this project for his Interactive Music Systems Design Course.
The device allows Bare Conductive Electric Paint drawings to be used as MIDI input push buttons. An internal Arduino Uno (ATmega328) and two capacitive sensors enable the unit to determine whether each individual buttons is being pushed or not.
This model allows for custom templates to be created for the MIDI controller itself. This is ideal for children to experiment with, as it is also incredibly inexpensive compared to consumer level MIDI controllers.
Sanz breaks down his machine in his detailed Instructables post, “The push-buttons are connected with conductive ink to the case, where the Arduino and the sensors are.” He goes on, “The case has 20 small metallic sheets, where each of the buttons are connected. The capacitive sensor is managed by an [Atmel based] Arduino, and it charges and discharges every pin continuously to measure its capacity and check if there is a human body touching it.”
Sam Kass and Karen Bryla knew each other too well to keep playing traditional games of rock, paper, scissors. As a result, the duo devised a geeky adaption to satisfy their needs for competition and amuse their inner sci-fi fanatic.
Unknowingly though, their game would be referenced on the CBS hit show The Big Bang Theory! After learning of the game, Maker Paul Swider put together his own visual representation of rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock using an Arduino-based schematic.
Swider’s device utilizes an Anarduino kit along with an Arduino Uno (ATmega328) to allow for various programmed win conditions to occur. The user inputs their choice for the game with a button press, and the computer AI counters with a graphically displayed decision. The various graphical representations are shown upon an 8 x 8 Matrix LED.
Now, let’s watch Sheldon explain the rules of the game for us…
The Color Clock website endeared the online community just a short time ago, and with this inspiration in mind, a Maker by the name of Sound Guy decided to develop his own. With some leftover project parts in hand, Sound Guy constructed his own version that included some extra bells and whistles.
The Color Clock idea revolves around a computer converting the time into a hex value. Then, this data is used to provide a background color that corresponds with that exact moment in time. As the time changes, so does the background and mood of your clock.
Sound Guy had an extra Arduino Uno R3 (ATmega328) and Adafruit 1.8” Color TFT Shield he was looking to repurpose. He went on to solder the Arduino Uno and the TFT Shield together and then looked to attach a Real Time Clock (RTC) module. “To attach the RTC module I happened to have some jumper cables with Dupont connectors, female on one end and male on the other. These are great for connecting to peripherals or breadboards,” Sound Guy writes.
Once completed, he moved onto the coding process. While many of the sketches came directly from the TFT and RTC module, Sound Guy included his own coding and has shared it within his Instructables post.
To make his project stand out from the rest, Sound Guy even incorporated a joystick that allows him to navigate a simple menu. The menu can provide controls for color and screen brightness.
When making tea, do you always seem to have trouble perfectly timing the brew? Maker Suvinks could certainly relate, and as a result, has devised a littleBits-controlled robotic tea timer. Now, instead of failing to remove the teabag at the optimal time — whether because you were chatting with a friend or reading an Atmel blog — the gadget will take care of the task and notify you when it’s time to enjoy your hot beverage.
Inspired by an Instructable from TaipeiHackerSpace, Suvinks set out to put his own spin on the tiny tea maker. He even took the ‘tiny’ aspect to another level by powering the system with an ATtiny85 chip. The tinyAVR MCU powers a micro servo, some switches, and a piezo buzzer that enables the teabag to be dunked into boiling water repeatedly.
Suvinks put together the circuit on a basic prototyping board and then looked to upload the appropriate software. Admittedly the Maker says the code employed is not the most desirable for the project, but can accomplish the task at hand.
With the brains of the operation complete, Suvinks needed to create a durable frame for the contraption. He cut out his framework from a 3mm piece of plywood that should be available at most hobby shops. Lastly, he assembled his unit with the help of some double-sided tape. A 9v battery was linked to the circuit to power the arm while a screw was fastened to the end of the arm to make holding the tea bag an easier task.
An Italian Maker going by the name “Fxxxx” recently set out to create a compact, yet highly functional rover robot based upon an Arduino Mega (ATmega1280) core. His design is incredibly sophisticated and a true triumph of innovation!
According to the Maker, the key objective behind the project entitled “DR1” was to design a robot that featured localization, light following and obstacle detection, all while remaining in a relatively small body. Unlike other RC vehicles, the DR1 can be controlled by a PC or Mac thanks to its intricate XBee-based wireless connection. “This proprietary connection protocol ensures real-time information and commands. The robot sends to the home base the data (a string formed by all informations like: motors speed, real power from each motor, revolutions for second, direction, light intensity and more). The home base answers with a string containing the commands like decreasing motor speed, turn right or so.”
Our Maker notes some of the initial challenges included the ability to design a body and a component’s disposition which could reduce wire connections and at the same time respect the right and logical place for each component. He details that, “The real challenge was to reduce power consumption of each component choosing a battery which could give the robot a considerable autonomy.” Elaborating further Fxxxx adds, “At the same time not exceed the maximum weight limit based on engineering calculations about torque force of the small engines.”
To overcome this feat, Fxxxx selected the ATmega1280 poweredArduino board as the brains of the project, given its high-performance and low-power capabilities. “Beaglebone or Raspberry PI would allow more calculations onboard but they are more energy dependent,” the Maker notes.
The DR1 sports a plethora of features that are seriously impressive for a DIY project. The wireless PC/Mac connectivity goes hand in hand with a camera capable of live-streaming. The implemented distance sensor system collaborates with an indoor localization unit that enables the DR1 to have precise movement capabilities within space.
While all of that would be perfectly acceptable in any home robot design, the DR1 also boasts four separate drive modes. The traditional manual control exists with inputs read from the PC/Mac. Also, the DR1 can autonomously navigate and attempt to cover the largest area possible.
With two light sensors installed on the front of the unit, the DR can follow light. Fxxxx breaks down the process by saying, “When a light is detected the robot starts following it. If the amount of light starts growing on the left sensor then the robot changes direction to follow the light.” Though, the Maker admits his favorite drive mode is semi-autonomous. In this mode, the user inputs an X and Y coordinate, and the DR1 does its best to reach the destination.
Interested in devising your own rover? Head over to Fxxxx’s Instructables page, where you will find a detailed step-by-step breakdown.
As we’re sure you already know, 13-year-old CEO and whizkid Quin Etnyre has already become quite an accomplished Maker changing the world — one Atmel powered board at a time. During Maker Faire Bay Area 2014, the young Maker hosted the “Qtechknow Olympics” robotic challenge featuring Arduino, XBee and of course, his award-winning FuzzBots. Quin’s latest project, an obstacle course that aspires to educate others around NFC, RFID and Arduino, has since then been published on Instructables.
The obstacle course is a culmination of his original FuzzBot design, a Pololu ZumoBot chassis kit, a SparkFun NFC Shield, XBee Series 1 wireless modules, and some Adafruit NeoPixel sticks and rings. Quin’s build features three parts:
The Hacked FuzzBot: An adaptation of a fully-autonomous, Arduino Uno (ATmega328) powered “Mini Roomba,” the robot is comprised of an XBee module, NeoPixel stock, and a hacked NFC shield.
NFC tags: These are affixed throughout the course.
As you’ve seen in the Atmel booth at a number of Maker Faires — Bay Area, Washington, D.C. and soon New York — the impressive project has won a number of Editor’s Choice Awards, not to mention the Maker of Merit Award at the White House Maker Faire.
Quin’s primary goal was to create a fun game that had recorded the number of times a robot drove over a series of NFC tags laid across a flat surface, i.e. a table. Points are shown in the form of blinking lights that illuminate when the device goes over the sensors, keeping track of the score.
As with all DIY projects, there is always some degree of trial-and-error. Quin highlights some of this latest challenges and modifications event-by-event on his page, but says it “works perfect now!” For a step-by-step breakdown on how to create your own robotic obstacle course, you can visit Qtechknow’s official Instructables post here.
A World Maker Faire calls for a world-record breaker. Think you’re up for the challenge? Be sure to swing by our booth and see if you can beat 24 points in 30 seconds.
During a recent interview with Quin, he expressed, “To be a Maker, you have to think outside of the box, and come up with new ideas on your own.” His new robot obstacle course is certainly a testament to that.
Through his latest and greatest innovations, the 13-year-old continues to open up many doors in the Maker community, while meeting a number of influential people — including the likes of Will.i.a.m., Bill Nye the Science Guy and Massimo Banzi.
Don’t forget to join the Atmel team in Queens later this month for the 5th Annual World Maker Faire. Undoubtedly, this year will be amazing as an expected 750+ 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 put the spotlight on Arduino and Arduino-related projects. See you soon!
