Hackaday Links: January 17th, 2013

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Free-formed VFD clock [James] doesn't need a circuit board or even some protoboard to get the job done. He free-formed all the circuits for his VFD clock. Right now this is the only project hosted on his blog so click around to see how he got to this point. DIY LED traffic light Here's a scratch-build traffic light which [Jarle] uses to display information about his server. If … [Read more...]

Google Talk bot running on Raspberry Pi

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[Michael Mitchell] put together a demonstration of how Google Talk can be used to communicate with scripts. Although the concept isn't new we haven't seen very many projects that use the chat interface for issuing commands and receiving data. The one that does come to mind is this home automation project which uses Google Talk because it's quite a bit faster than SMS or email … [Read more...]

Real life Mario Karts react to launchable items

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The team over at Waterloo Labs reasserts their reputation for creativity with this real life Mario Kart project. One of the team members must work at Austin's Park because they seem to have had free rein when it comes to modifying the go-karts and filming the delightful video presentation found after the break. It's one thing to put on some costumes and head off to the go-kart track. It's … [Read more...]

Raspberry Pi power controller adds shutdown and startup functionality

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This breadboarded circuit uses a PIC chip to control the Raspberry Pi's power supply. We first noticed this gap in the RPi features when we built an XBMC setup around the RPi board. It's not the end of the world, but since installing the Raspberry Pi we have been unplugging it after each use. [Kevin Sangeelee's] circuit could be the path to automating this process. This is not really aimed at … [Read more...]

LED cloud lamp in any color you can imagine

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This lamp which [Dablondeemu] built will add a little whimsy to your home decor. The project started as coursework for a Digital Art and Installations class. But the remote controlled color changing cloud ended up being a pretty neat gift for her little brother. The prototype uses an Arduino, breadboard, and a collection of LEDs to perform its tasks. [Dablondeemu] admits the next revision … [Read more...]

Build and install your own high-end cycling power meter

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Cycling power meters can set you back quite a pretty penny. [Keith] quotes prices starting at $1500 and going up to $4000. We know several serious cyclists who would think twice about spending that on a bike, and wouldn't even consider putting that kind of investment into an accessory for it. But if you've got the time [Keith] will show you how to build and install your own cycling power … [Read more...]

Making better noises with dual PWM

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Although it's technically possible to get 16 bits of resolution on a ATMega328, most implementations of PWM on everyone's favorite 'mega - including just about every Arduino sketch - are limited to 8 bit PWM. This means the pins can only output 256 different values, so if you're playing around with music made on an Arduino don't expect very high fidelity. There is a clever way around this: use … [Read more...]