Self Parking Lego Mindstorms

December 13, 2006 by 8 Comments


[Korvost] er, [Hybrid] sent along this video of a lego mindstorm self parking car. I don’t think I’d want it parking next to my ride considering how much damage it did to the blocks. Man, I need to upgrade my legos. Sadly, this video just re-iterates one of the my problems with Youtube videos. Video posters tend to fail to provide links with more information about their projects/hacks. Via [techblog]
Update: [ralphn] found the car. It uses an ultrasonic sensor to find a space big enough to park in – when it does, it automatically parks.

Don’t forget, Prizes and glory await the winner of the Design Challenge. Just 12 days left to get em in.

Just a quick bonus hack: The giant altoids tin battery pack w/voltmeter. [Via Make]

LEGO Announces NXT Beta Testers… Officially

March 4, 2006 by 15 Comments

Yesterday LEGO announced that they had picked their 100 beta testers. They represent a broad cross section of blah, blah, blah. I’m not sure if I should be annoyed that I didn’t get picked or feel sorry for our buddy Jason Striegel who seems to be the only person that was officially denied. Oh well, time to go spend this extra $150 on Mega Bloks.

[via the excellent Nextbrick]

Continue reading “LEGO Announces NXT Beta Testers… Officially” →

Walk Your Robot Dog With LEGO

January 19, 2006 by 4 Comments

robot walker

Since he spends way too much time programming robots, Pavel Petrovic, felt he should delegate the task of walking his robot dog… to his other robot. No, that isn’t the real story, but there isn’t a lot of justification for the project besides it being a neat trick. LEGO IR tower support for WowWee bots had already been developed, but Pavel decided to try controlling the bots using the LEGO RCX. BrickOS provides direct control of the RCX’s IR port. Pavel’s program lets the simple LEGO bot issues commands to the RoboPet to lead it around the room. It works, but isn’t too reliable because there is no way for the RCX to determine the absolute position of the dog. Have a look at Pavel’s site to see videos of it in action.

[thanks Robert Oschler]

Continue reading “Walk Your Robot Dog With LEGO” →

Gumbrix: Gumstix LEGO Controller

January 9, 2006 by 3 Comments

gumbrix

Derek Anderson enjoys building robot prototypes using the LEGO Mindstorms kit, but he found his progress hampered by the RCX’s minimal processing power and connections. He decided to build a custom LEGO style housing for a Gumstix waysmall computer. He has experience milling custom LEGO parts so this was an easy first step; he does wish he would have used a material more rigid than Delrin though. Derek has several future articles planned to cover how to integrate and interact with the system. I’d prefer to wait for the new Mindstorms NXT coming out in August or March if I’m lucky.

[thanks William Cox of GoRobotics.net]

Continue reading “Gumbrix: Gumstix LEGO Controller” →

Lego Self-adaptive Hand

July 27, 2005 by 3 Comments

self adaptive hand

I usually don’t feature LEGO projects because there is already a huge community and probably better places to get your LEGO info. That being said, I couldn’t pass this project up. It has an infrared sensor for detecting objects and only uses three pneumatic cylinders. The most interesting aspect of the hand is its underactuated fingers. The built in “mechanical intelligence” allows for shape adaptation even though there are fewer actuators than degrees of freedom. Don’t worry there’s a link to clear that last bit up.

[thanks ator1]

Continue reading “Lego Self-adaptive Hand” →

Lego Rubick’s Cube Robot

March 15, 2005 by 15 Comments

lego rubick's cube solver

correct me if i’m wrong, but technology was supposed to make our lives easier, take care of us, make us dinner, raise our children, and, fulfill our every dream.

so what has technology done for you lately?  nothing?  well, my friend, today we have a hack that will change your life forever.  today sammo sent us a link to jp brown’s amazing rubick’s cube solving robot.

the final task on my big list of things to do can finally be crossed off.  life is good.

Continue reading “Lego Rubick’s Cube Robot” →

Hackaday Podcast Episode 326: A DIY Pockels Cell, Funny Materials To 3D Print With, And Pwning A Nissan Leaf

June 27, 2025 by 3 Comments

Time for another European flavoured Hackaday Podcast this week, as Elliot Williams is joined by Jenny List, two writers sweltering in the humidity of a Central European summer. Both of our fans and air conditioners made enough noise to be picked up on the microphone when they were turned on, so we’re suffering for your entertainment.

The big Hackaday news stories of the week are twofold, firstly a cat-themed set of winners for the 2025 Pet Hacks contest, and then the announcement of a fresh competition: the 2025 Hackaday One Hertz Challenge. Get your once-a-second projects ready!

This week gave us a nice pile of interesting hacks, including some next-level work growing and machining the crystal for a home-made Pockels cell light valve, an upcoming technique for glass 3D prints, and enough vulnerabilities to make any Nissan Leaf owner nervous. We note that mechanical 7-segment displays are an arena showing excellent hacks, and we’re here for it.

Meanwhile among the quick hacks a filament made of PLA with a PETG core caught Elliot’s eye, while Jenny was impressed with a beautifully-made paper tape punch. Finally in the can’t miss section, The latest in Dan Maloney’s Mining and Refining series looks at drilling and blasting. Such an explosive piece should come last, but wait! There’s more! Al Williams gives us a potted history of satellite phones, and explains why you don’t carry an Iridium in your pocket.

Or download it your own fine self. MP3 for free!

Where to Follow Hackaday Podcast

Places to follow Hackaday podcasts:

Continue reading “Hackaday Podcast Episode 326: A DIY Pockels Cell, Funny Materials To 3D Print With, And Pwning A Nissan Leaf” →