GitHub coder Akash Manohar has written the Python-Arduino Prototyping API. This code helps you to quickly prototype Arduino programs, without having to repeatedly load the program to the Arduino board. Setup involves loading the prototype.pde sketch onto your Arduino dev board, and importing the Arduino lib in your python script. The current version allows reading/writing […]
Author Archives: the machinegeek
Free embedded systems virtual conference
The Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) Silicon Valley just concluded. Didn’t get to attend? Now ESC has decided to open their doors to engineers worldwide, for an immersive ESC experience online. ESC has announced a free virtual embedded systems conference to beheld on June 16, 2011, from 8 AM to 3 PM PT. The ESC Silicon […]
Open Source Activity Map
Redhat and the Georgia Institute of Technology have teamed up to produce an interactive map showing relative activity involving open source software among 75 countries. Countries are ranked according to the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Open Source Index (OSI). Thanks to Cristian Palma who submitted this info via the contact form.
Microchip PIC24 development kit for Android
Here is Microchip’s response to the Arduino based hardware for use with Google’s ADK. Microchip has announced the release of the Microchip PIC24F Accessory Development Start Kit for Android™. This is a standalone board used for evaluating and developing electronic accessories for Google’s Android operating system for smartphones and tablets. Microchip’s PIC24F Accessory Development Starter […]
OpenHack Europe: Node.js and practical hacking with Javascript
The Yahoo-sponsored OpenHack Europe 2011 is in progress in Bucharest, Romania. One of the latest presentations was Reid Burke’s Achieving Greatness with Node.js. While only the slides are available at this time, they are quite informative and include links to additional content. If you’re wondering how this relates to open source hardware, see slides 24-25. […]
Avviso library for Arduino and Processing sends iOS push alerts
Mike Colagrosso created Avviso, a Processing and Arduino library for sending push alerts to iOS devices using the Prowl API. This would make projects such as Snail Mail Push Alerts a much easier task because a PHP web server is not needed in the set up. The libraries, example code, and set up guide are […]
Hacking police car live video cams
Today embedded systems are proliferating in business and government enterprises. One growing trend is to embed live video cameras in police vehicles, so that command headquarters can have a real time view of what’s going on in and around police cruisers. Here’s a white paper by digitamunition describing how a penetration tester went about gaining […]
Woz on our closed source education system
Here’s a brief video by Apple Co-founder Steve Wozniak, keynoting ESC Silicon Valley 2011, talking about how schools tamp down creativity and need reform. Via EETimes.
chipKIT Uno32™ Arduino-compatible prototyping platform
Digilent, Inc. announces the pending release of the chipKIT™ Uno32™. The Uno32 is an Arduino-compatible platform combining Arduino compatibility with the performance of the Microchip PIC32 microcontroller. The Uno32 is the same form factor as the Arduino Uno board and is compatible with Arduino shields. It features a USB serial port interface for connection to […]
TI digital temperature sensor
TI has introduced the TMP103 Digital Temperature Sensor with I2C/SMBUS Expanded Interface. The device features Multiple Device Access (MDA), Global Read/Write Operations,I2C™-/SMBus™-Compatible Interface, 8-bit resolution with accuracy: ±1°C Typ (–10°C to +100°C). The supply range is 1.4V to 3.6V, and the chip comes in a 4-Ball WCSP (DSBGA) package. According to the press release the […]
DIY PCB breakout boards
Have a new component that’s not pin compatible with a breadboard? Chris from Pyroelectro has a new tutorial describing how to make your own custom PCB breakout boards. In this video he demonstrates how to build a board for an ethernet connector. Follow his plans and you’ll have a system to tackle the non-standard footprint […]
KTechlab IDE for microcontrollers and electronics
KTechlab is an open source IDE for microcontrollers and electronics design and works with Linux systems. It includes a simulator for analog and digital circuits and incorporates a C compiler. You can download the user manual in PDF here. The software is available from Sourceforge.
SchmartBoard announces SMT to DIP adapters
SchmartBoard announces their line of SMT to DIP adapters. These SOIC to DIP and QFP/QFN to DIP adapter boards are designed to assist breadboarders in using newer components not found in traditional DIP packaging.
DEV.BO Ver 2.0 MSP430F5510 dev board
Nicholas J. Conn of NJC’s MSP430 Launchpad Blog announces the release of the DEV.BO Ver 2.0 development board. This board, based on the MSP430F5510 is easily programmed using the LaunchPad or any MSP430 JTAG programmer. Features include a max clock speed of 25MHz, integrated 32kHz crystal, 25K of flash memory, 1 USCI_A (UART/LIN/IrDA/SPI), 1 USCI_B […]
Computerless Arduino programming hack
Teague Labs has developed a device for programming and altering the code on Arduinos without the need for a computer. This opens new opportunities for in the field programming and testing of Arduino projects. The Computerless Arduino consists of two major components; an Arduino-compatible microcontroller loaded with a realtime code interpreter, and a stand-alone 5 […]
Trimpot tutorial
Trimpots are adjustable resistors. They function much the same as regular potentiometers, except they are compact in size and have 0.1″ leads for easy installation on a PCB or breadboard. Learn about all the different kinds in Robot Room’s updated trimpot tutorial. Thanks Frank! Via the contact form.
Necomimi: brainwave controlled fuzzy cat ears
We couldn’t make something like this up… This headwear has EEG sensors built into the headband, and the device is programmed to move the ears in various ways corresponding to brainwave activity. For example, the ears stand up when you concentrate. They were developed by neurowear in Japan, which states: “Neurowear” is the name of […]
Arduino based Android Open Accessory Development Kit
Joe Desbonnet informs us of the release by Google of their Android Open Accessory Development Kit (ADK). Interestingly, the ADK is Arduino based! The Android Open Accessory Development Kit (ADK) provides an implementation of an Android USB accessory that is based on the Arduino open source electronics prototyping platform, the accessory’s hardware design files, code […]
Brainwave music maker
Brainwave measurement tools are increasingly being included in hacker projects. In this video, Collin from Make Magazine reveals his progress in producing brainwave-based music. He uses the a NeuroSky MindSet device for measuring EEG activity, which transmits its data via Bluetooth to the Mac. The MindSet Beat Sequencer code for Processing runs on the Mac. […]
Sony Ericsson posts instructions for hacking their Android phones
Recent news regarding Sony and hackers does not generally relate to cooperation. However, Sony Ericsson’s new openness to hacking of their Android phones is a different story. Their Developer Blog has posted detailed instructions on how to build a Linux kernel and flash it to their Android phone. This is supposedly to continue their open […]