New Train Tech Poses Hacking Risk

BBC News : A shift to a mobile communications technology could expose rail networks to hackers, according to a security expert.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16347248

Eye Controlled Computer

The eyeboard is an open source project that was built in order to help people with disabilities. His circuit detects the eye movements using the technology called "Electrooculography". Which consists in detecting the resting potential that exists between the retina and the cornea by using skin electrodes around the eyes.

£16 Computer Gets Close To Launch

BBC News : The eagerly anticipated Raspberry Pi home computer is about to go into production.

The $25 (£16) machine is being created in the hope that it will inspire a new generation of technology whizz kids.

The Pi uses an Arm chip similar to that found in mobile phones and is intended to run a version of the Linux open source operating system.

Test versions of finished devices are being checked and if all is well volume production will start in January.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16316439

2-Meter Robot Plays Football

Self-healing electronic chip tests may aid space travel

BBC News : Self-repairing electronic chips are one step closer, according to a team of US researchers. The group has created a circuit that heals itself when cracked thanks to the release of liquid metal which restores conductivity.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16291943

The World's Most Useless Machine??

Impressive Tree Climbing Robot

This DIY build uses pointed feet and moves up the tree something like an inchworm. Two, separated platforms are connected toa retractable spine that alternately grip the tree to move the device upward.

http://hacknmod.com/hack/impressive-tree-climbing-robot/

Sony's bio battery turns waste paper into electricity

BBC News : Sony has unveiled a paper-powered battery prototype in Japan. The technology generates electricity by turning shredded paper into sugar which in turn is used as fuel.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16288107 

World's Simplest Motor Mk2?

World's Simplest Motor

A motor made only by a copper wire and a neodymium magnet. It uses one AAA battery but it can be done with AA one too. It's a simple motor, but unfortunately is not an efficient one, the battery drains quickly and heats up.

Drone Construction Workers

Why not build buildings with drones? These little guys were programmed to build a tower out of styrofoam blocks. If the idea can scale up, it could completely change architecture and construction.

http://www.popsci.com/science/gallery/2011-12/images-week-december-5-9-2011?image=3

Level Headed

The GLM 80 is the first distance finder that doesn’t require users to hold it perfectly level to get accurate readings. While its laser rangefinder calculates the distance to a target, a tilt sensor measures the angle at which you’re holding the device and adjusts the final measurement accordingly.

http://www.popsci.com/cars/gallery/2011-10/goods-november-2011?image=9

Dust Ball

Powered by a compact version of the 4.8-volt battery in Black & Decker’s big hand vacs, this grapefruitsize model is made to sit on your desk or workbench, ready to sweep up crumbs or sawdust. Its handle and nozzle flip out at the press of a button and then fold back into the sphere so it can snap into a charging cradle.

http://www.popsci.com/cars/gallery/2011-10/goods-november-2011?image=5

Samsung flexible, transparent AMOLED display

Is this the future of mobile phones? A paper thin sheet?

http://getandroidstuff.com/concept-video-samsung-flexible-transparent-amoled-display

Google Celebrate Noyce's 84th Birthday

Google celebrate the 84th Birthday of Robert Noyce, the co-inventor of the silicon chip by adding a chip "doodle".

Scientists at MIT replicate brain activity with chip

BBC News : Scientists are getting closer to the dream of creating computer systems that can replicate the brain.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have designed a computer chip that mimics how the brain's neurons adapt in response to new information.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15772240

K9 - Dr Who's Robotic Dog

The only thing you need to feed it is electricity, except it has built in solar panels to do the work for you.  Taking cues from the popular Dr. Who, and creating his own design, he put together a retro robotic dog.



Inside the dog is a motor controller along with two 120w scooter motors.  Other components include an RF transmitter, antenna, LEDs, an 8” photo frame, two car speakers and small servos for the tail and ears.

http://hacknmod.com/hack/diy-dr-who-robotic-dog

Giant Mechanical Spider Robot!

Originally created for the Burning Man festival, this beast weighs 1,700 pounds and although it’s pretty clanky and giant, the best part is that you can drive it! 



http://hacknmod.com/hack/giant-mechanical-spider-robot/

Make a DIY Electric Bike from Drill Batteries

We’ve see plenty of DIY electricity and going green projects, and here’s yet another to add to the collection.  Check out the video to learn how to build your own electric bicycle out of some old drill batteries and common ingenuity.  Check out our other post on electric bikes and also electric cars.

 

http://hacknmod.com/hack/make-a-diy-electric-bike-drill-batteries/

3D Printing With Sunlight and Sand

This 3D printing project demonstrates what you can do in the desert with just two materials: sand and sun.  In the demo above, sunlight and sand are used to build up a design layer by layer to create glass objects using a 3D printing process.

http://hacknmod.com/hack/incredible-3d-printing-with-sunlight-and-sand/

Incredible DIY Wheatley Robot from Portal 2

If you are a fan of Portal, then this DIY project is for you. This extremely realistic reproduction of the character Wheatly is actually made from simple florist foam and Apoxie Sculpt, not metal.  The puppet offers up 10 Wheatley quotes from a small sound module.




 Wheatley’s robot eye movement is provided by hand, as Wheatley is actually a hand puppet.   The control system that is accessed from the back provides 10 buttons for a wide array of quotes and emotion. Check out the full project details.

http://hacknmod.com/hack/incredible-diy-wheatley-robot-from-portal-2/

Army of Tablet-Controlled Android Figurines

With the introduction of the Google ADK (Android Device Kit), DIYers building neat projects around the platform. With the addition of some LED lights and several servo motors (which control the movement of the head and arms), the static figures come to life at the commands of an Android tablet.





Control of the movement and flashing of the eyes is transmitted from the Android tablet by simply swiping your fingers to the music.

http://hacknmod.com/hack/army-of-tablet-controlled-android-figurines/ 

Guitar Hero Flame Thower?

Fire Hero is a suprisingly simple project that uses a Guitar Hero controller. The controller is connected wirelessly to a microcontroller, that turns valves full of propain on and off.

Transformer Robot Inside a Beer Can

Cleverly disguised as a beer can, this prototype robot transforms upon command.  Its brain is an MBED control board and the design incorporates two servos.  It is controlled by a Wii remote and gets around by walking on its three legs, or rolls for faster getaways.  Unfortunately, there is only limited information about the project’s build details.

http://hacknmod.com/hack/transformer-robot-inside-a-beer-can/

Plastic electronics

BBC News : British firm Plastic Logic has announced that it will build the world's first factory to manufacture plastic electronic circuits.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6227455.stm

'Flying carpet' of conductive plastic takes flight

BBC News : A miniature magic carpet made of plastic has taken flight in a laboratory at Princeton University.


The 10cm (4in) sheet of smart transparency is driven by "ripple power"; waves of electrical current driving thin pockets of air from front to rear underneath.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15106231

Build Your Own "Robot Wars" Robot

This video shows you how to come up with the parts, and Salvage affordable motors, gears and more supplies for your "Robot Wars" robot.

Incredible Collaboration of Swam Robotics

In the very near future, these researchers believe robots will combine together to do all the tasks assigned to them. The Swarmanoid Project is a glorious example of a glimpse into the future which demonstrates 60 robots working together in a collaborative environment.  The goal of the swarm robotic project (4 years in the making) is to use the different capabilities of each class of robot and combine them into a system to accomplish tasks.

http://hacknmod.com/hack/incredible-collaboration-of-swam-robotics/

Self-healing materials take cue from nature

BBC News : The development of self-healing materials has surged forward as scientists have taken inspiration from biological systems.

Could a robot be conscious?

BBC News : "If a robot is produced that behaves just like one of us in all respects, including thought, is it conscious or just a clever machine, asks Prof Barry C Smith, director of the Institute of Philosophy."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14886421