Posted November 12, 2010 by Chris

The objective of LinuxPCRobot.org is to build a fully functional robotic development platform for $500 or less using linux, commonly available components, a little skill, and some good old fashioned scrounging. The website is full of info detailing the build process.

Posted November 11, 2010 by Chris

While more of a novelty than a pyro project, here is the world’s largest SNES controller. It does actually work and there’s a funny youtube video of it in action. While mostly a mechanical engineering feat, I’d still love to see one of these modeled after an N64 controller.

Posted November 10, 2010 by Chris

Today’s project is not really a pyro project but I liked the write-up so I thought I’d post it. Booting linux up from a CD or USB key has been around for many years and I’d never seen a way to do this for windows. This write-up goes through the process of making a windows xp bootable usb key. The process is straight forward with pictures to guide you.

Posted November 9, 2010 by Chris

There’s been a lot of talk about long distance tv remotes that can shut off your neighbor’s annoying TV, or turn the volume down but this project takes a different approach. He uses binoculars to amplify the effectiveness of the remote control IR emitter. Pictures and parts list included in the project write-up, take a look!

Posted November 8, 2010 by Chris

Balancing robots are all over the place but the equibot balances by using a sharp IR proximity sensor as its feedback sensor. This is intriguing to me because its the first I have ever seen. The project write-up is a little abridged, but the software, parts list and vids of it in action are all on the website.

Posted November 7, 2010 by Chris

Text messaging has recently become mainstream and second nature. Many cell networks will now let you send text messages to a cell phone with an e-mail message. This is extremely convenient and the today’s project explains how to do it.

Posted November 6, 2010 by Chris

Straight from the project write-up: The primary purpose of this semi-autonomous robot is to allow the operator to remotely explore rooms in a home. It is a robot with a wireless camera, white-LED ring light, wireless data connection, large wheel clearance, and two rear speakers for the speech module. Don’t miss this awesome creation!

Posted November 5, 2010 by Chris

This line follower seems to take the cake when it comes to precision and complexity. It uses the standard setup to detect differentials in light intesity, but then takes it one step further and examins the data with meaningful control. The project write-up has all the details, software and hardware schematics you’ll need to duplicate it.

Posted November 4, 2010 by Chris

The Photo Interrupter is a cool piece of technology that provides a means of electrical/mechanical feed back. A small piece of tape with clear and black lines either interrupts or allows the unit to send a signal. This feedback is great for very accurate positioning, like in printers and scanner. The project write-up is indepth and uses an arduino for the brains.

Posted November 3, 2010 by Chris

DIY roboticists here’s an easy to build and extremely inexpensive platform for you. The wheels are made of CDs, the body an enclosure from radio shack and the brains a PIC micro. The project write-up guides you through the build process and gives examples of cheap robotics.