Let’s Make the world a better place

It was 1974 when tech pioneer Ted Nelson first asked a nascent industry to hand over “computer power to the people.” A few years later, Commodore founder Jack Tramiel expressed similar sentiments, proclaiming that “we need to build computers for the masses, not the classes.”

As we’ve previously discussed on Bits & Pieces, empowering individuals and communities is a core value of the international Maker Movement. Makers, with an open source philosophy, affordable technology and “can do” attitude, are truly helping to make the world a better place.

Indeed, medical implants designed with 3D printers (long championed by Makers) are saving lives, while 3D printed prosthetics allow physicians to restore physical capabilities lost in accidents or at birth.

Makers are also active in agriculture to ensure an organic, green and sustainable food supply for us all. To be sure, Atmel-based Arduino boards are currently being used to facilitate a plethora of open source platforms tasked with regulating everything from urban-based aquaponics to rural greenhouses constructed out of recyclable materials.

Photo Credit: Scott Taylor, Sun Journal

In addition, Makers are at the forefront of reversing bee colony collapse disorder, with the Atmel-powered (ATmega32U4 MCU) Smart Citizen Kit (SCK) currently monitoring 3D-printed hives around the world.

Unsurprisingly, Makers looking to the future are designing open source home automation platforms to help individuals conserve water and reduce energy consumption by linking various “smart” appliances to the rapidly evolving Internet of Things.

Last, but certainly not least, open source Arduino boards used by Makers across the globe are an important tool for the STEM community (science, technology, education and mathematics), with science and computing teachers in secondary schools and universities choosing the popular platform to teach students the basic principles of programming and computational thinking.

We at Atmel are proud to be at the very heart of the Maker Movement, with microcontrollers that power a wide range of open source platforms and devices, from 3D printers to Arduino boards. For us, Maker Faire is one of the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth – a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, resourcefulness and a celebration of DIY culture. Simply put, it’s a place where people of all ages and backgrounds gather together to show what they are making and share what they are learning.

So be sure to drop by the Atmel booth (#205) at Maker Faire Bay Area on May 17th and 18th to meet our star-studded lineup of Makers and presenters, including Mel Li, Trevor Zylstra, Quin Etnyre, Pamungkas Prawisuda Sumasta, Super Awesome Sylvia, Matt Johnson, Bob Martin and Dan Ujvari.

Can’t make it to the Faire? You can follow @Atmel live on Twitter for event updates, or join the conversation by tweeting #AtmelMakes.

Laser cutting and engraving with Mr. Beam

Mr. Beam – which recently made its Kickstarter debut – is an open source DIY laser cutter and engraver kit for paper, wood and plastic.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mrbeam/mr-beam-a-portable-laser-cutter-and-engraver-kit

“Mr. Beam is able to process materials of variable thickness. Height adjustable legs allow an easy setup for thin paper as well as for a large piece of wood,” a Mr. Beam rep explained.

“[The platform] cuts lighter materials like paper and foil in one pass and thicker materials [such as] leather and cardboard in multiple passes. As with all laser cutters, the ability to cut materials properly is determined by their thickness. Most of the mentioned materials can be engraved in a single pass, others like wood might require several passes.”

Key hardware components include an Atmel-based Arduino Uno (ATmega328 MCU), custom shield and a Raspberry Pi.

So, how does Mr. Beam work? 

Well, the Raspberry Pi (running Raspbian) operates the web interface responsible for generating g-code from the user-supplied input files (the motif). Meanwhile, the Uno runs the grbl software tasked with taking g-code and converting it into stepper motor actions (effectively controlling laser diode intensity). Last, but certainly not least, the custom Beam shield is equipped with various electronic modules and components that handle the input from Arduino/grbl – powering the steppers as well as the laser and regulating the hardware buttons.

On the software side, Mr. Beam’s user interface can be used to select motifs and kick off the cutting process. Future additions are slated to include the ability to easily position, rotate and scale various patterns.

Interested in learning more? You can check out Mr. Beam’s official Kickstarter page here.

ATmega328 powers open source WatchDuino

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Watch-a got on your wrist?

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The WatchDuino is an open source project that combines inexpensive electronic parts with complex Arduino (C++) code.

Key project components include Atmel’s versatile ATmega328 microcontroller (MCU), a crystal oscillator, LiPo battery and Nokia’s 5110 LCD screen.

“WatchDuino is not only programmable, it’s fully hackable from hardware to software. You can build your own out of [inexpensive] components [available] at a local electronics store,” a WatchDuino rep explained.

“[Plus], you have the full source code of the watch’s operative system at your disposal. The ability to build the whole thing from scratch and being able to hack at every level of it will greatly appeal to electronics hobbyists and Makers.”

Currently, primary WatchDuino features include:

• 

Time and date (analog and digital output)
• Alarm / countdown (with custom music)
• Games (Pong & Snake)
• Rechargeable battery (via USB) and meter
• Low-battery mode (lasts up to two years with a 240mAh battery)
• Integrated screen light
• Compact design
• Framework-like architecture to easily program custom screens

On the software side, the WatchDuino can be programmed via two methods: hacking the system itself or simply customizing various features and apps.

“Since WatchDuino’s software is open source, you have the full source code at your disposal to make any modifications you like,” the rep added.

The WatchDuino will likely hit Kickstarter at some point in the near future as a fully assembled device. In the meantime, you can check out the project’s official page here.

Beehives are going open source

Want to make your own printable, smart beehive to track colony health, reverse colony collapse disorder and promote international bee recovery? Then check out this open source beehive project helmed by an international team of ecologists, beekeepers, Makers, engineers and open source advocates.

“We’ve designed two downloadable, printable beehives: the Colorado Top Bar and the Barcelona Warré. These hives aim to prioritize bee colony health, make beekeeping more accessible and will ultimately allow you to log and study the health of your colony,” an open source beehive rep explained in a recent Indiegogo post.

“Your contribution will help us develop sensors to enhance our hives, connecting them to the Internet to log data about what is causing the bees to disappear around the world. This data can be used to study colony health build hard evidence against the causes of the problem – and generate policy change [as well] informed solutions moving forward.”

At the heart of the open beehive initiative is the Atmel-powered (ATmega32U4 MCU) Smart Citizen Kit (SCK). The open source platform – developed by Fab Lab Barcelona – comprises three layers: a hardware device, a website and online API and a mobile app.

Essentially, the first layer is a piece of hardware comprising two printed-circuit boards: an interchangeable daughterboard or shield and a data-processing board.

“It carries sensors that measure air composition (CO and NO2), temperature, light intensity, sound levels and humidity,” the open source beehive rep said.

“Once it’s set up, the ambient board is able to stream data measured by the sensors over Wi-Fi using the FCC-certified, wireless module on the data-processing board. The online component of the Smart Citizen Kit is used for logging and visualizing the data measured by the hardware.”

Interested in learning more? You can read more about the open source beehive initiative on the project’s official page here.

From Shanzhai to OSHW: The Maker Movement in China

Although the Maker and open source hardware movements are a global phenomenon, the DIY culture in China can actually be traced back to the ancient concept of Shanzhai. As Gabrielle Levine, the newly appointed president of the Open Source Hardware Association (OSHWA) notes, China is going to be a huge driving force in the open source hardware landscape.

“There are many similarities between [the local concept of] Shanzhai and the open source hardware community,” Gabriella Levine told OpenElectronics in February. “Both Shanzhai and open source hardware projects borrow information, tools, source code, CAD files and techniques; both improve upon other’s work to accelerate development.”

SeeedStudio founder Eric Pan expressed similar sentiments during a recent interview with Atmel’s official blog, Bits & Pieces.

“MakerSpaces will likely enable a new wave of tech startups in China as in the US,” he confirmed.

“Clearly, hardware development is becoming a more agile process with the aid of [open source] prototyping tools like RepRap and Arduino boards – both of which are helping to facilitate innovation across the world and particularly in China.”

Similarly, David Li, co-founder of Shanghai’s first Maker Space, told The Economist that the DIY movement has inspired the creation of legitimate and innovative products, with socially progressive Makers teaming up with more traditional manufacturers in China.

We at Atmel are at the strategic heart of the international Maker Movement, with a comprehensive portfolio of versatile microcontrollers (MCUs) that power a wide range of Maker platforms and devices, including 3D printers (MakerBot Replicator 2 and RepRap), the vast majority of Arduino boards, as well as Adafruit’s Gemma, Trinket and Flora platforms.

Indeed, Arduino boards are currently used by millions of Makers, engineers, schools and corporations all over the world. At least 1.2 million Atmel-powered Arduino boards have been sold to date, with the ATmega328-based Uno being a particular Maker and prototyping favorite. Of course, stand-alone AVR microcontrollers like the tinyAVR lineup are also popular amongst the DIY crowd.

As we’ve previously discussed on Bits & Pieces, an increasing number of Makers are kicking off project prototyping with Atmel-based Arduino boards. Concurrently, we are also seeing a jump in professional engineers relying on Atmel-powered Arduino boards to create initial models for their devices, platforms and solutions.

Atmel-powered uArm

According to Gartner, 50% of companies expected to help build the rapidly evolving Internet of Things have yet to coalesce. This is precisely why Atmel views China’s Maker Movement as one of the primary tech incubators for future IoT companies and devices, many of which will undoubtedly use Atmel microcontrollers (MCUs) to power their respective platforms.

Atmel will proudly be attending Maker Faire Shenzhen this year on April 6-7. Our booth – #4 – is located right next to Center Stage. We’ll be showcasing a number of Atmel-powered products including a Zigebee-based lighting demo, robotic model car, various Seeeduino boards, the Rainbow Cube (LED light controlled by Atmel MCUs) and an e-ink badge.

I’ll also be giving a presentation about Atmel microcontrollers, the IoT and Makers at 2PM on April 7th at the Center Stage. Hope to see you there!

Time-lapse photography trigger on an Arduino Shield

A Shield is a plug-in mezzanine board that fits into Arduinos. I was looking for a remote trigger for my great Panasonic GH3 camera I use for some shots in my Atmel Edge web show. So I was delighted to run across this little time lapse trigger Arduino Shield that visual effects artist Dan Thompson is working on.

This is the circuit board layout for Dan Thompson’s time-lapse Arduino Shield.

That lucky happenstance led me to other Arduino-based time-lapse controllers like this one from “hacker3455”.

This is another Arduino-based time-lapse shutter controller.

 

And here is a yet another time-lapse Arduino on Hack-a-Day.

 

And if you want to get that “Bullet time” look like in the Matrix
movies, there is even an Arduino-based time-lapse dolly controller.

 

There are several controllers, like this one you can to pans and tilts with. Here is a little test video of the prototype:

Of course, the path software is critical and the community does not disappoint, with code like this, developed by Airic Lenz, the fellow that did the above video.

This is the kind of tech that South Dakota farmer Randy Halverson stunned the world with back in 2013. Here is a vid with the man himself:

Here is a video of an Arduino-based dolly in action:

And here is one more time-lapse controller from the wonderful folks at Practical Arduino.

Designing an open source 3-DOF robot

Dan Royer of Marginally Clever has designed an open source 3-DOF palletizing robot based on the commercial ABB 460.

“For the last two years I’ve been teaching myself what I need to know to build a robot arm. I started the Makelangelo to learn how to use stepper motors. I built my first Delta robot to learn how to calculate Inverse Kinematics,” Royer explained in a recent blog post.

“I built the first Stewart Platform because I thought I could use it as a wrist for the robot arm and because I want to drive at least 6 stepper motors in the final arm. It’s like I’ve got the Minecraft blocks and now I can craft them together.”

According to Royer, the ‘bot is powered by two Adafruit motor shields, an Atmel-based Arduino Uno (ATmega328) and gcodecncdemo (software) for AMS2 with 4 axis. The command “G00 Z10” instructs the robot to turn left, while “G00 X10” moves the shoulder and “G00 Y10” for the elbow.

“The finger is the triangle bit at the end where a tool would go. Connected to that is the forearm, which is a parallelogram shape. Connected to the forearm is the bicep, which also has a parallelogram,” he explained.

“The two parallelograms are connected by the triangle piece at the top, which forces the finger tip to always be level with the table. The bicep is connected to the shoulder where all the motors and electronics are mounted. The shoulder is connected to the base, which is suction cupped or screwed to a table.”

Between the shoulder and the elbow there’s an extra “tendon” bar that pulls on the back of the elbow, with one gear attached to the tendon, allowing Royer to put all the motors on the base and make the arm lighter. Meanwhile, the second gear is tasked with turning the shoulder.

Royer says he’s also taught the ‘bot to understand the cartesian coordinate system. Meaning, when the arm turns on it homes – backing up until it touches some switches.

“The robot knows where the finger tip is located when it is at home position. After that I can tell it ‘move the finger to XYZ’ and it calculates how many steps it has to move each motor to get the finger tip to that spot. As long as the motors never miss a step it will move in straight lines to any spot I ask for,” he added.

So, what’s next for the open source 3-DOF robot? Well, Royer has already started coding for a future RUMBA controller.

“I’m going to add 9 or 10 flanged 3mm ID bearings to make the movement extra smooth.

“I’m very keen to learn how to run OpenGL in Java so I can show a 3d model on your screen that copies the real robot. Over the next few weeks I’ll be making steady improvements so stay tuned,” he concluded.

Interested in learning more? You can check out HackADay’s write up here and the project’s official page here.

International Arduino Day is almost here!

Celebrated March 29, 2014, Arduino Day is a worldwide celebration marking the first successful decade of the Atmel-powered open source board.

It’s a 24 hour celebration – both official and independent – with Makers meeting up to share their DIY experiences.

Meanwhile, Make Magazine will be celebrating the milestone all through next week by showcasing a special lineup of top-rated Arduino projects.

“But we’re also looking to you, because we want to feature your original projects here on the Make blog. If you’re not going to be able to show off your project at your local Arduino event on Arduino Day, maybe you should show it off to the world,” writes MakeZine’s Alasdair Allan.

“Or maybe you’ve been itching for an excuse to sit down and build something new? Or [perhaps] someone [is] wrong on the Internet and you want to write the definitive guide teaching people how to use a particular sensor, widget, or gizmo, with the Arduino.”

Whatever the reason, Makers can send a summary of their thoughts to alasdair@makezine.com with “MAKE Arduino Day” in the subject line. Please be sure to include any technical details about the build, as well as some pictures, images and video links.

Of course we’ll also be celebrating Arduino Day here at Bits & Pieces with extra project coverage, so be sure to stop by and check out our blog posts about everybody’s favorite Atmel-powered board!

Vega Edge is a wearable, hackable light

Made of laser-cut leather, the Edge is a wearable light that snaps securely onto your clothing with the help of four strong neodymium magnets. You can wear it discreetly by day or brightly at night with your winter coat, cardigan, hood, scarf, handbag, collar, pocket, belt, or wherever you’d like a touch of light.

According to project designer Angella Mackey, the Edge can also be worn for added visibility at night while cycling, jogging or walking. Indeed, traditional bike lights are often forgotten on the bike frame, leaving them vulnerable to theft. The Edge will stay with you, so you’re always prepared and visible.

 Perhaps most importantly, says Mackey, the Edge is designed to look good even when the lights are off.

“The Edge doesn’t have a typical flashing pattern of ON–OFF–ON–OFF. We have experimented with different fades and shimmers, and use a unique light pattern when in flashing mode,” Mackey explained in a recent Kickstarter post.

“[Plus], if you like to tinker, the Vega Edge is [Atmel-powered and] Arduino-based, [so] can be reprogrammed with whatever flashing pattern or behavior you’d like. When the Edge ships we’ll include a link to our Hacking the Edge guide which includes hardware instructions and the open source code.”

Currently, the Vega Edge is being offered in two featured shapes: trapezoid and true. Both are available in either black or brown leather and can be paired with white, red, green or blue.

Interested in learning more? You can check out the project’s Kickstarter page here and the official Vega page here.

Neuroscience goes open source at MIT & Brown

Josh Siegle, a doctoral student at MIT’s Wilson Lab, recently told Wired that today’s neuroscientists are expected to be accomplished hardware engineers, fully capable of designing new tools for analyzing the brain and collecting relevant data.

“There are many off-the-shelf commercial instruments that help you do such things, but they’re usually expensive and hard to customize,” Siegle explained. 

”Neuroscience tends to have a pretty hacker-oriented culture. A lot of people have a very specific idea of how an experiment needs to be done, so they build their own tools.”

The problem? As Wired’s Klint Finley notes, few neuroscientists actually share the tools they create, which often lack design principles such as modularity. Meaning, project-specific devices and platforms can’t be reused for other experiments. 

That is precisely why MIT’s Siegle and Jakob Voigts of Moore Lab at Brown University founded Open Ephys, a project for sharing open source neuroscience hardware designs.

“We don’t necessarily want people to use our tools specifically,” Siegle clarified. “We just want to build awareness of how open source eliminates redundancy, reduces costs and increase productivity.”

Open Ephys officially kicked off three years ago as part of a research project tracking hippocampus and cortex activity in mice.

“We spent about half a year looking for the perfect commercial data acquisition tool to use for our experiment recording electrical signals from brains,” said Siegle. “We looked at all of the commercial systems and all of them were inadequate in some way.”

Rather than MacGuyver yet another platform, the duo decided to adopt a more modular approach by moving the creative process online. In addition, the two chose many of the same tools used by hackers and modders, including Arduino boards.

“We like Arduinos because lots of people know how to use them, and they’re easy to get your hands on,” Siegle added.

Interested in learning more? You can check out Wired’s full write up here and the Open Ephys gallery here.