|
This contest will run for one week (Nov 1 - Nov 6, 2008) . Ending time is based on central standard time. To enter, identify the item pictured above and give an example of what can be done with it. 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 winner will be chosen at random from all of the correct entries.
———————————–———- Added November 12, 2008 The item to guess was a Quad 2-input OR gate The winner is Jeremy A. Thanks to all who entered (there were 154 entries) ————————————–———- Below is a picture of the prize.
|
|
Happy Halloween from Hacked Gadgets! The video above is from our friend Rick Crammond, he is hacking up a pumpkin the way any true hacker would do it.
|
|
This is a great project that has pieces of an old scanner at its heart. I love the fact that this project is very functional, keeps the dog amused and was built on a recycled parts budget. I think it just needs some kind of water sprayer in the front that squirts just before it launches to prevent the inevitable ball to the nose that dog will endure. Have a look at the rest of the build pictures including a schematic of the launching electronics. Via: Make
|
|
This LinkInk Digital Accelerometer Pen could be the future of pen input. It is another entry in the PIC32 Design Challenge. Looks like there is stiff competition between the top design projects. I am very curious to see how well an accelerometer will be able to represent pen based writing. If it has sufficient resolution to complete this task I wonder if it could be used to generate 3D work? Simply trace around a 3D item to have it recreated as a digital model. "A 3D accelerometer constantly keeps track of the pen’s position. This means you can write on any type of paper, or any surface at all, and be able to import your notes, drawings, doodles, and sketches into your favorite image editing software. Write on a table, on a wall, or even upside-down. The LinkInk Digital Pen is ready to capture it all!"
|
|
Entry 16
These are entries 16 through 25 of the Hacked Gadgets Workbench Contest. There is only 3 days left to get something in! Seeing all of the different workbench configurations is fantastic, next time I need to reconfigure I will know exactly what I need to do. Post your entry here, or just get lots of Workbench ideas.
Entry 17
Entry 18
Entry 19
Entry 20
Entry 21
Entry 22
Entry 23
Entry 24
Entry 25 |
|
If skateboard speed matters then a board by Altered Electric Skateboards may be the board for you. All you need is the wireless speed controller in hand and a passion for the open road (or at least a big parking lot). How long will it be before we see a DIY model that is faster than this one? "How does it work? and how does it Start & Stop? The board is powered by a 24V or 36V electric motor using sealed batteries as an energy source. Boards are controlled with a handheld wireless controller that offers a variable throttle and motor braking. You simply stand on the board and pull the trigger SLOWLY & SMOOTHLY to accelerate, and push the trigger forward GENTLEY to brake. CAUTION! the torque is strong at take off & full throttle, but using a smooth & even touch on the trigger allows the rider to apply only a small amount of power. It’s relatively simple to "roll the board along" at low speeds. Pushing forward on the controller’s trigger applies resistance to the skateboard’s motor, providing an effective braking system on flat ground. The board can be controlled effectively down mild/gradual grade hills with the braking system. Note, that the braking system does not bring the board to a total stop, and it should never be relied on. In many cases you can go down a gradual hill with ease, whereas on the same hill with a "regular" longboard you could lose control. Or you can do big slalom turns on the flats at either fast or slow speeds, and you can speed up or slow down." Via: Technabob 
|
|
Microchip (the makers of the popular PIC Microcontroller) are in the middle of a great contest called the PIC32 Design Challenge. There are many phases to this contest, currently the hardware phase is being conducted. After this phase the current 128 participants will be down to only 32. This contest is bringing out some great projects from some creative minds! This Bathroom Utilities Management System by Brent Morse is a fine example of this, it may sound impractical however at times I wish I had a system just like it in my house. "The PIR sensor is used to detect when someone enters the room, the system will then turn on the lights, the door contacts and the pressure sensor will be used in conjuction with the PIR to determine if someone is still in the room, (possibly sitting on the toilet!) so the lights wont turn off while the person is still in the room. Each user will have an RFID tag or iButton , so each users utility usage can be datalogged on the PC. Each user will have a preset amount of time in the shower, the system will alert the user when their time is almost up. The Proximity sensor will be used to detect a user and control the faucet water flow. The humidity sensor will be used to control the exhaust fan, if someone is using the shower, or steam builds up in the room, the exhaust fan will be turned on automatically. An application on the PC side will enable the Administrator to override any functions remotely, or view"
|
The second video by 
