In need of a way to transmit a video signal to an aging antennae-input TV set, John rigged up a working RF modulator from salvaged parts (plus 5V supply) – I decided not to build my modulator from first principles. A simple design with a UHF cavity oscillator and simple sound and vision carrier and […]
John Boiles, he of the iPod-controlled RC car, also produced this sweet wirelessly controlled power box, which he demonstrates in this video by controlling different sets of X-mas lights plugged into it by shaking his iPod. See it work around 1:40, then be sure to check out the dance party at 2:40. The iPod is enclosed in the “Law book” prop everyone is shaking around while they rock out to vintage Bon Jovi, et. al.
Have some extra soda cans laying around the lab, that are taking up too much space? Instead of just smashing them with your boot, why not build an electromagnetic crushing machine to implode them, using a high voltage source and some large capacitors?
More Dorkbot Austin goodness! John Boiles demonstrated this radio-controlled car steered using his iPod’s built-in accelerometer via its built-in WiFi transceiver. All you have to do is tilt the iPod, and the car goes. It starts to move around 1:10.
Gordan Savicic and Gottfried Haider of DSbrut fame have tipped us off that they’ve just released their DS Bluetooth adapter for the Nintendo DS.
Hpropman presents a group of four tutorials about how to connect common motion detecting devices to a microcontroller for triggering haunt props. He has separate tutorials for flood light motion sensors, wall switch motion sensors, X10 wireless motion sensors, and Parallax motion sensors.
Here’s a neat idea: using the standard microphone and speakers that are built into most recent laptops, researchers from Northwestern and University of Michigan have developed a sonar system to detect when a user is near the computer.
