I have been having a little fun with the new MakeCode Arcade platform. I am excited to see what other people can do with it so I have been figuring out some basic game play stuff with my own game. Now I give you Princess Cake Eater!
This is a mini quest game complete with an NPC, obstacles, and even a bad guy. Try it out and let me know what you think. Continue reading Playing around with Make Code Arcade
This will walk you through setting up a Raspberry Pi Web server with Raspbian Buster Lite. The following services will be installed and available by the end of this tutorial.
Continue reading Wireless NAT server E-ink badge with Apache, PHP, SQL, Media Wiki, and MQTT
The thing I get asked the most by parents and people trying to figure out how to get into the tech world is where to start. While a knowledge of at least some hardware is important, this post will be more focused on the structure of programming languages and why it is better to know one over another. This really boils down to the common modern day argument over C++ vs JavaScript vs Python. Continue reading What is the best programming language?
This Saturday I will be trying to make a small Vacuum Former for heat forming plastic sheets. Vacuum Forming is a fast and easy way to copy 3D printed parts, provide a smooth plastic shell for finished products or to make your own Storm Trooper helmet.
This will be my first time actually building one of these machines, but they are relatively easy and I have done similar stuff with heat forming acrylic using a toaster oven and home vacuum cleaner. The design will be loosely based on this Instructables tutorial.
For this build I will be using mostly reclaimed wood, two old toasters, and a small shop vacuum. I will be drawing up plans for the laser cutter and in the end I hope to publish a DIY guide to show others how to make a scalable version.
I have got a box full of robots to show off on today’s Adafruit Show and Tell.
Sorry for the lack of updates, but the last shipment of parts has just arrived.
I have been organizing and building on stuff as it has come in. I even got a bit of help doing servo mods last weekend. I now have all of the parts needed to fulfill the crowd funding rewards and it looks like we will be able to get it all sent out near December 1st as expected.
A few unexpected surprises have come up along the way. I found a really good line sensor that matches the price of the old one. It will require a slight change to the chassis cut files, but it works much better and does not require a change in programming. Aside from that, I discovered that the servos now only come with 1 mounting screw rather than the 2 that previously secured the Servo horn to each wheel. I tried to see if I could get things to work with just 1 screw, but ultimately I just ordered some replacement screws that should arrive soon.
I have been working with a new Makerspace and just cut a deal for some discounted machine time in exchange for help with workshops and what not. The first chassis will be cut this Saturday and photos will soon follow.
Instructions, for those who ordered the inbuilt kits, is underway and now that I have parts to assemble, I will be adding photos soon.
We are one step closer to having a visual programming environment with Ardublocks. A friend has figured out how to set up the Java environment so we can create new blocks to work with the Hack-E-Bot. I will try to have that going shortly after shipping, but for now getting the kits sent out is my priority.
It’s like Xmass today at work. I had 4 large boxes waiting for me when I arrived and 2 more set to be delivered this afternoon.
In those boxes are my new Shapeoko 2 CNC Mill and loads of parts from Pololu for making Hack-E-Bots.
One of the primary goals of the NWC Robot Fair will be to spark an interest in engineering and programming by showing the diversity of robotics and provide hands on activities with robotics. While robotic competitions that involve battling robots can be entertaining, I would like to focus on showing people that robots can be much more and focus on how humans and robots can interact with each other. Manufacturing, telepresence, assistive, and even art robots are a good way to show people how robotics will continue to enhance our world. Continue reading NWC Robot Fair 2014
After working on many designs I have come up with this little guy: Continue reading New budget robot is working.
These are the electronic components necessary to build a basic robot for children that uses two vibration motors to move forward, left, and right. Two digital pins are used to control the vibration motors leaving 3 open GPIO pins. The Photo cell and LED can be used to detect the presence, and close proximity, of another robot. The Micro servo is an optional add on so that a simple claw (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:18339) can be added. Continue reading Basic Robot design.