This Open Source Talking Multimedia Clock looks like a fun clock platform that could be developed into many interesting projects.

“The processor is based on the Arduino Uno platform, the display is a LoL Shield and the speech engine is the SpeakJet chip. Various analog sensors and audio circuits have been cobbled together. The firmware has been developed in C using the AVR gcc compiler.”

If you are looking for some inspiration for your next project you might want to have a look at the NetSensor kit from hobbyist.co.nz. Of course this is a nice bundle of hardware and code that looks like it works very well and would be handy. You could probably do something similar with the equipment you have on hand by looking through the project details. 

“NetSensor is an Arduino Kit which allows you to monitor your room from anywhere in the world via Internet.

All you would need is a browser and this kit has all the hardware required to monitor your room and check if its warm, not too humid and if someone has broken into your home.”

With this new MGC3030 IC by Microchip we are sure to see some new projects take advantage of it for inexpensive 3D gesture control. They have a dev kit that should make it simple to test some design ideas quickly. 

Via: Electronics Lab and EE Times

“Housed in an easy-to-manufacture SSOP28 package, the MGC3030 expands the use of highly sought after 3D gesture control features to high-volume cost-sensitive applications such as toys, audio and lighting.

The simplicity of gesture-detection integration offered by the MGC3030 is also achieved through the company’s free, downloadable AUREA Graphical User Interface (GUI) and easily configurable general-purpose IO ports that even allow for host MCU/processor-free usage. An on-chip 32-bit digital signal processor executes real-time gesture processing, eliminating the need for external cameras or controllers for host processing, and allowing for faster and more natural user interaction with devices. “

Wireless devices are convenient but must be used with caution. Samy Kamkar shows us how a simple wireless keyboard can be giving away your secrets. He built this KeySweeper, it is a Microsoft Wireless Keyboard Sniffer that is built into a innocent looking USB wall charger.

Via: The Hacker News

“KeySweeper is a stealthy Arduino-based device, camouflaged as a functioning USB wall charger, that wirelessly and passively sniffs, decrypts, logs and reports back all keystrokes from any Microsoft wireless keyboards (which use a proprietary 2.4GHz RF protocol) in the area.

Keystrokes are sent back to the KeySweeper operator over the Internet via an optional GSM chip, or can be stored on a flash chip and delivered wirelessly when a secondary KeySweeper device comes within wireless range of the target KeySweeper. A web based tool allows live keystroke monitoring.”

With portable electronics sucking all of your battery packs dry wouldn’t it be nice to have something that doesn’t take many hours to charge up? That is where the Kraftwerk Fuel Cell comes in. Fill it up with some off the shelf camping or lighter fuel in about 3 seconds. This isn’t a quick and dirty project, it has been in development for 7 years and it has 27 patent applications.  The Kraftwerk had a lofty goal of $500,000 and has already surpassed that by over $200,000 with 42 days left in the campaign. Surprisingly this device will be ok to take into the cabin of an plane! It will be nice to see this type of device become popular as a battery power portable power source. 

Via: Electronics Lab

“kraftwerk is a fuel cell power generator. Based on our unique and award winning microtubular metallic fuel cell technology, kraftwerk directly transforms gas into electricity. The user fills gas into an integrated tank. Whenever power is needed the gas goes into the fuel cell and is converted directly into electricity. A standard 5V USB plug allows you to connect all your electronic devices supported by the USB standard (smartphones, cameras, flashlights, …).”

This HCCI Engine Controlling Raspberry Pi setup reads in 240,000 samples per second. I had never heard of an Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine other than a diesel that simply compressed the air fuel mixture till combustion although I guess that is what some of those cars from the 80 were doing when they would continue to run after the key was turned off? I had always thought that gasoline engines needed a spark plug. But like many things if you through enough tech at it you can overcome the issues. 

“The Pi is recording data about pressure in each of the engine’s cylinders, about the angle of the crank and about heat release – and on the back of that, it’s subsequently controlling the engine in real time over a controller area network”

If you thought the Arduino was just for DIY projects have a look at this Antarctica Arduino Instrument Cooling Project. Isn’t it strange that in a place that only ever warms up to -25C that you would need to ever worry about keeping equipment cool? Well the issue is that the equipment is in an area with people and we like to have things a bit warmer than that. The dry air hinders the equipment shedding their heat as designed so a little bit of extra cooling is needed. Luckily cold air is always available, using a small pipe, cold air is sucked with a small fan into the equipment bay. The Arduino keeps track of how much cooling is needed and regulates everything automatically. The code is available but I am not sure how many people have a year round supply of cold air.