The Howe & Howe RS-1 Gremlin – Mini Unmanned Tank is an flexible system that allows the user to scope out areas that would be dangerous to walk into with a human. Since this can be controlled remotely the human operator can be situated in a safe location while only the robot it put in harms way. All we need now are some autonomous quadcopters mounted to the frame which could also provide live aerial video of the scene.

Via: TechEblog
“Based on the RS‐1™ modular platform, the Gremlin ™ is a system designed to meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s safety. Howe and Howe Tech has designed this platform by addressing the dangers the first responders, military, and civilian clients encounter, and keeping them from dangerous environments. With a remotely controlled platform, remotely controlled payload the Gremlin package is perfect for active shooter neutralization, sniper applications, riot control, or for use as a hostage resolution tool. With the ability for a lethal or non-lethal payload this package is truly a versatile problem solving tool. The RS1‐G3 “Gremlin” ™ was developed for the U.S. Military and is not for private sector purchase.”

Mike has taken apart a GFI Circuit Breaker and tested it to destruction. These devices are great to make electricity safer when used in dangerous environments such as beside water sources. They measure leakage current and trip when there is too much running from your hair dryer that accidentally fell into your tub full of water.

“A GFCI works by measuring the current leaving one side of a power source (the so-called “live” or “hot wire”), and comparing it to current returning on the other (the “neutral” side). If they are not equal, then some of the current must be leaking in an unwanted way, and the GFCI shuts the power off. After the problem is fixed, the device must be reset manually by pushing the reset button (the red button in the image shown at right). If the problem is not fixed, the GFCI will keep shutting off.”

 
With a bit of epoxy you can make some interesting things out of some scrap wires you may have laying around. All you need is some woodworking tools, these guys are using some high end tools but with some time and something as simple as a Dremel and some elbow grease you cold also make some interesting creations. Peter Brown doesn’t stop at wires, he tends to find all sorts of things around his shop and creates cool items from them.

This DIY Attack Dyno Project is designed to fit in the dash of a car and will give you measurements such as horse power and torque based on just a few car connected sensors.

“The Attack Dyno is a convenient and affordable way to bring an attack timer and dynamometer right to the comfort of your own vehicle. The whole design is built to fit right into the space of a standard do-it-yourself aftermarket car stereo. With the convenience of concealment and very little user input, the Attack Dyno will calculate many more things than your standard dynamometer or attack timer will. The design of the Attack Dyno is catered to the curious side of any car enthusiasts. With the ability to output vehicle torque, speed, horsepower, 1/4 mile times, 0-60 mph acceleration times, ambient air temperature, and more, the Attack Dyno is perfect for those who want to experience and gain knowledge of their vehicle’s full potential without breaking the bank.”

The prize this week is a relay module to get your next project started. This contest will run for one week (Feb 15, 2016 – Feb 19, 2016). Ending time is based on central standard time. To enter, identify the item above and what it can be used for.

Please do not give the answer in the comments.

Send an email to contest @ hackedgadgets.com with “Name the Thing Contest” as the subject, and the message body consisting of:

• The name of the item in the above picture
• An example of what the item pictured above can be used for

The winner will be chosen at random from all of the correct entries.

Below is a picture of the prize.

If you have ever installed MPLAB on your development machine you know how heavy this software is. Microchip has now given you a nice light weight option. MPLAB Xpress Cloud-based IDE is now available and will let you get up and running in no time.

Thanks for the tip James.

“MPLAB Xpress is a perfect starting point for new users of PIC Microcontrollers – no downloads, no machine configuration, and no waiting to get started on your system development.

MPLAB Xpress incorporates the latest version of MPLAB Code Configurator, which enables users to automatically generate initialization and application C code for 8-bit Microcontrollers using a graphical interface and pin map.

With massive amounts of storage available to users, you can store your current projects in the Cloud. The Community feature allows you to share your ideas with others, or gain inspiration from the shared code repository.

Best of all, MPLAB Xpress IDE is FREE, and can be accessed from any Internet-connected PC or Mac, anywhere in the world.”

AvE got his hands on an Emergency Personal Locator Beacon. This is one of the few things made in Canada! Looks like no expense was spared in the build. The lithium batteries are still operational even though they were dated to expire 16 years ago. I have never seen the  tape measure like antenna. Without making an electrical connection is it doing anything? I was expecting to see a gold plated portion that lined up with some wiper arm.