This video shows 3 ways to open a door, first 2 will give you the been there done that feeling. The 3rd is fantastic, using a Wimote the user simply gives his wrist a flick to unlock the door!
Here is the project link, and here is the translated version.

Video after the jump.

“DIY doorlock system via FreeBSD6.2 + Bluetooth HID stack + libpasori. To authenticate a user, this system uses MAC addr(FeliCa IDm/NFCID2 or Bluetooth address). so it’s not so secure… this system currently has 25 ID and used everyday at UEC MMA. Small white square seen in bottom-left corner of the window is FeliCa reader/writer PaSoRi(SONY RC-S320).”

(more…)

After you are done building a project there are always some extra components scattered about, instead of wasting time sorting them back into bins why not make some component spiders out of the extra parts.

“Years ago when I was in school, I got most of my parts from snipping or desoldering them off of junked curcuitboards, or from taking apart old equipment. One day I took some of the parts and soldered them into what I wished was a functional spider robot – but even though it didn’t work, it was pretty in its own way. It was also fun and inexpensive and fast to make. Since then I have made quite a few, and they never turn out the same.”

Thanks Donald

(more…)

This Hydrogen Fuel Cell RC Car Upgrade Kit is one of the coolest RC cars kits I have seen in a long time. It is pricey though, hopefully when these hydrogen fuel cells become more common place the price will come down to earth.

Video after the jump

“The H-cell is a unique integration “upgrade” kit for electric hobby R/C cars, designed as a drop in unit that can fit inside widely available Tamiya TT-01 type chassis. The H-cell system designed by Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies includes a 30W air-cooled, air-breathing and self-humidified PEM fuel cell stack with integrated bright blue light-emitting fans and a sleek aluminium casing. The integration kit also includes electronic controls, a miniature pressure regulator and three 10L metal hydride canisters in a hydrogen storage “rack”. At maximum power output and with a single charge, the H-cell can run the car at 35 km/h for over 1 hour, as opposed to just 15 minutes with the conventional Nimh battery.”

Via: The Raw Feed

(more…)

The Everingham Rotating House must be the geekiest house I have ever seem (I love it). When you get tired of the view from the living room just press a button and rotate the house to change the view. Or when the sun is glaring on the TV instead of closing the blinds you could just rotate out of the sun!

“The Everingham rotating house is a 24-metre diameter octagon with a 3-metre, 360-degree verandah. The exterior walls are mostly glass and steel, and it has a COLORBOND® roof. The entire structure, weighing approximately 50 tonnes, rotates up to 360-degrees if and when desired, within a 180 degree retainer wall and a 180 degree fixed deck and railing. The concept is the result of nearly a decade of intermittent research, planning and design, and ten months of construction over a two year period consuming all disposable time. The project was completed in March 2006. The idea was born when our neighbours were expounding the virtues of their new home and commented that if they could start again they would orientate the house 15 degrees more to the north. Deb said Wouldn’t it be handy to have a house that could move?”

Thanks David

(more…)

Electric go karts seem to be getting more popular these days, the Felixtimlock go kart is one of the fastest ones I have seen so far. There is a description video of the kart after the jump.

(more…)

Last weeks weekend contest was a great success. This week there will be two items given away to two lucky winners.

Giveaway item 1 is a graphic LCD module, thanks to David from uC Hobby for providing this module!
Giveaway item 2 is another camera tripod.

This contest will run for this weekend only (April 20 – 22, 2007) . To enter, identify the item pictured above and give an example of what can be done with it. Also go over to uC Hobby and comment on your favorite project listed there. Please do not give the answer in the comments.

Once you are done send an email to contest @ hackedgadgets.com with “Name the Thing” as the subject consisting of:
* The name of the item in the above picture
* An example of what the item pictured above can be used for
* The uC Hobby article name that you commented on

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

Below is a picture of the graphical LCD (more details can be found here), and the tripod.

—————–
Added April 24, 2007

Thanks to all who entered.

(more…)

If you are lucky enough to have an extra roomba kicking around why not mod it to shoot peoples feet.

“I own a Discovery roomba and use it in the never ending battle against dog hair. I love it as it does an amazing job at sweeping up not only dog hair but all sorts of dirt and dust. I didn’t want to take the chance of killing it so I searched around for another and found this Roomba Red on craigslist for $30, it wasn’t charged when I went to see it but I figured that if it was dead the motors and battery would be worth the money. I took it home and plugged in the charger. I smelled something strange and realized that the charger cord was damaged and the wires were shorting out! I repaired the wires and pluged it back in and after a few hours gave it a test. It Works! With my discovery working I didn’t feel bad when I removed the vacuum mechanicals on the Red to save weight and make room for any additional modifications I might add. Now for the disassembly. I removed every screw I could find on the bottom and removed the cover. I have never seen so much cat hair! In every nook and cranny it was crammed in. It had to be pried out with a mini screw driver plus compressed air! a final vacumm finished the job. Wish I had taken photos, it was unbelievable.”

Via: Gizmodo

(more…)