Technology

Getting Started with XBee Internet Gateway (XIG)

The XBee Internet Gateway (XIG) is a Python script for Digi’s ConnectPort wireless to ethernet gateway which lets you connect your XBee wireless modules to the internet fairly easily. Jordan Husney, lead programmer of the XIG project, has started releasing a series videos all about XIG and what you can do with it. In the first video, Jordan introduces XIG and walks through the process of setting up the gateway. The XIG is also discussed in Rob Faludi’s Building Wireless Sensor Networks and is a core component of my own Networked On Air Light project. If you’re looking for a way to put your project online using wireless mesh networking, be sure to check out XIG.

Continue Reading September 25th, 2011 Matt Richardson4

Jeri Ellsworth Talks Solenoids

Jeri shows the basic construction of solenoid actuators and demonstrates the relationship between strenght and hold power relative to current flow in the coil. [Via Adafruit]

Continue Reading September 23rd, 2011 John Baichtal

Maker Faire & Make: Live on the Engadget Show

Matt Richardson and I had a great time visiting the Engadget Show this week. After they rolled a killer sizzle reel from last weekend’s World Maker Faire New York, Matt and I showed off our– my TV-B-Gone Jacket and Matt’s Enough Already. We enjoyed meeting Tim and Brian and hanging backstage with MAKE author Marek Michalowski, who was there to demonstrate the new Keepon toy.

Continue Reading September 23rd, 2011July 2nd, 2015 Becky Stern

Hacked Knitting Machine Depicts Cosby’s Face (video)

CRAFT sure had a great time at World Maker Faire last weekend. Here’s a highlight:

Andrew Salomone uses a hacked knitting machine from the 80s to “print” digital images into knitted garments. At World Maker Faire New York 2011, Andrew demonstrates the knitting machine and shows off its creations including a sweater with Bill Cosby’s face.

Continue Reading September 23rd, 2011 Becky Stern10

FTCquel: Mark Edelman (video)

Mark Edelman from NorCalFTC shows the competition area for a yearly teen program in robotics. At Maker Faire Bay Area 2011, student teams used their engineering and technology skills to pit their creations against one another in the final tech challenge.

Continue Reading September 23rd, 2011November 3rd, 2015 Michael Colombo

MicroRAX/NXT Robot Class

A Seattle organization called Xbot Robotics held a workshop where students built robots using MicroRAX girders and NXT microcontroller bricks. I love the top photo above with the mecanum wheels; all three were built by the students. The introductory lesson for how to build a four-wheel chassis included the purpose and structure of a chassis, […]

Continue Reading September 23rd, 2011 John Baichtal

The Beatty Family Builds Bots Together

Robert Beatty sent us these wonderful pictures of his daughters, “Lunamoth” and “Julajay,” building robots. His “maker girls,” as he calls them, have been “involved in the designing, soldering, electronics, metal fabrication, programming, and naming of the robots, and testing, with Dad guiding the way. We really enjoy it.”

Continue Reading September 22nd, 2011 Gareth Branwyn2

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