NYC’s Hardware Startup Meetup, and New York’s Next Top Maker
A look at some of the projects competing in the New York’s Next Top Makers competition, recently presented at the 6th Hardware Startup Meetup in NYC.
Arduino
As the preeminent tool for makers, Arduino is a versatile platform that covers almost every type of creative making. With its simple-to-use coding language and fun programming concepts, Arduino enables users to create modern electronics with ease. From beginner level projects like flashing LED lights to more advanced builds such as interactive robots, there are an endless number of possibilities when it comes to building projects with Arduino. Whether you are new or an experienced builder in search of fresh ideas, these posts will provide interesting Arduino tutorials and unique ideas that may spark your creativity and motivate you take on any type of maker project!
Interview with Pinoccio Co-Founder Eric Jennings
Eric Weddington, marketing manager for open source and communities at Atmel, posted an in-depth interview with Pinoccio’s Eric Jennings. Pinnoccio is a new, open source hardware company. Their first product is a microcontroller board aimed at creating “a complete ecosystem” for the internet of things. Pinoccio calls their board an “Arduino Mega with wings.” It’s Raspberry Pi-friendly, too.
Hexy’s Back in the Maker Shed
After selling out completely over the Holidays, a new shipment of Arcbotics’ Hexy the Hexipod has arrived in the Maker Shed. Hexy comes in kit form with well written documentation and tutorials which make learning complex robotics straightforward and fun!
Prototype a Puppet Play
Gal Sasson is running this puppet theater project using little more than an Arduino and some control software on a computer. The puppets, theater, and control box are all handmade.
People Watching with “Social Observer” Natalia Buckley
Natalia Buckley is a hacker, designer, and creative technologist. She’s originally from Poland and now live in Brighton on England’s south coast, a city famed for its appetite for experimentation. “I’m just making speculative things, that don’t necessarily fully exist in the real world, but help us learn something,” she says. “I’m a social observer. The sole reason I make things is to learn something about other people. Because I find other people fascinating. My work in technology is basically about people. People constantly interact with technology and I can make technology to watch them do stuff!”
Lightefface Makes Music with Both Touch and Light
Kacper Ziemianin made a simple piano keyboard with an Arduino and some photoresistors. But it’s what he does with the data that makes beautiful music.
Making Magic with Arduino
Pulling a rabbit out of a hat is a neat trick. But how about wowing crowds of kids with an old suitcase that performs magic thanks to 18 synchronized, Arduino-powererd servos that whir about hidden from view?
In many respects Mario “the Magician” Marchese, with his narrow suspenders and pork pie hat, is an old-school magician. He performs on the sidewalks of New York City with with nothing but the power of his voice and a bag full of tricks that looks like old timey, slapstick gags — epaulets that unexpectedly pop up in the air, banners that “accidentally” fall behind him, and spinning ribbons on his lapel.
