In this episode, Hackaday Editors Elliot Williams and Tom Nardi kick things off with a reminder about the impending deadline for Supercon talk and workshop proposals. From there discussion moves on to the absolutely incredible tale of two brothers who solved a pair of missing person cases with their homebrew underwater vehicle, false data sneaking into OctoPrint’s usage statics, and an organic input device that could give the classic mouse a run for its money.

You’ll also hear about cheap radar modules, open source Xbox mod chips, and lawnmowers from the grocery store. The episode wraps up with a look at the enduring mystique of perpetual motion devices, and the story of a legendary ship that might soon end up being turned into paper clips.

Check out the links below if you want to follow along, and as always, tell us what you think about this episode in the comments!

As always, this week’s episode is available as a DRM-free MP3.

Episode 278 Show Notes:

News:

• Hackaday Supercon 2024 Call For Participation: We Want You!

What’s that Sound?

• Congrats to [Jones Boy] for teaching us about monitors that degauss themselves on every startup!

Interesting Hacks of the Week:

• Solving Cold Cases With Hacked Together Gear
• Long-Term OctoPrint Stat Manipulation Uncovered
• Putting Some Numbers On Your NEMAs
  • Series or Parallel Motor Winding? Here is the difference
  • Measure Three Times, Design Once

• The ErgO Ring Makes Computer Interactions Comfortable
• Instant Filament Drying Satisfies An Immediate Need
• Google Drive Now Bootable

Quick Hacks:

• Elliot’s Picks:
  • Lasers Al Fresco: Fun With Open-Cavity Lasers
  • So Much Going On In So Few Components: Dissecting A Microwave Radar Module
  • Try Out MCUs With This Jumperable TSSOP20 Adapter
• Tom’s Picks:
  • 3D Printing With A Twist
  • Make A Cheap Robot Mower Much Smarter
  • An Open XBOX Modchip Enters The Scene

Can’t-Miss Articles:

• A Brief History Of Perpetual Motion
  • The Museum of Unworkable Devices
  • Mechanical Clocks That Never Need Winding
  • Magnetic Bearings Might Keep This Motor Spinning For Millennia

• The SS United States: The Most Important Ocean Liner We May Soon Lose Forever