Category Archives: Tinkering

Interesting, Android on RPi

Posted on May 26, 2016 by robertwilkie

The article talks about how it looks like Google/Android is adding in support for the Raspberry Pi3.  This could be interesting since Android M is suppose to support multiple screens, which makes it more “windows” like.  And its still pretty … Continue reading →

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Nice write-up to use a water flow sensor with Arduino

Posted on May 26, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nice write-up.  Not sure what I would do with something like this, but could be useful with watering plants maybe?  Oh I got it, automated water guns. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Use-Water-Flow-Sensor-Arduino-Tutorial/?ALLSTEPS

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Breadboard for the ESP8266

Posted on May 25, 2016 by robertwilkie

I may have to start looking at these boards…they are cheap and becoming popular. The author writes a nice set of instructions on building a simple breadboard adapter for the board. http://www.instructables.com/id/ESP8266-NRF24L01-Breadboard-Adapter/

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3D print your own smartphone robot

Posted on May 23, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nice robot build.  Downside, I think it would take my printer a week to print it all out. http://www.instructables.com/id/DriveMyPhone-Smartphone-Controlled-Hybrid-Vehicle/

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A wifi enabled door alarm

Posted on May 20, 2016 by robertwilkie

AHAHAHAH.  The author took a cheap $1.50 door alarm and added an ESP8266 to it to make it wireless.  Clever idea overall http://www.instructables.com/id/4-WiFi-Door-Alarm-Using-a-ESP8266-IoT/

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, Misc-Life, Security | Comments Off on A wifi enabled door alarm

Support for LiFePO4wered/USB for RPi

Posted on May 16, 2016 by robertwilkie

Interesting hack to convert the board to work with a raspberry pi.  Only down side is the buggers are $18 (after shipping).  But still its a good start to having your RPi powered without a cord. Hackaday Prize Entry: Powering … Continue reading →

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A $600 underwater robot

Posted on May 13, 2016 by robertwilkie

Seems a bunch of Stanford kids built a cheap underwater exploring robot.  By cheap, $600. http://spectrum.ieee.org/view-from-the-valley/robotics/drones/stanford-ai-grads-launch-lowish-cost-underwater-robot?utm_source=feedburner-automaton&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ieeespectrum%2Fautomaton+%28Automaton+-+IEEE+Spectrum%29  

Posted in Cheap, robots, water | Comments Off on A $600 underwater robot

Small WiFi enabled weather station

Posted on May 13, 2016 by robertwilkie

At the rate things are going, these little ESP boards are going to take over arduinos.  Nice simple build for a weather sensor setup using ESP8266 for comms. Tiny Matchbox WiFi Weather Station

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One sheet flat pack picnic table

Posted on May 12, 2016 by robertwilkie

Clever build.  Its a modified design of existing flat pack picnic tables that you can build from 1 3/4 inch plywood sheet.  A nice addition would be to include a way to tie it together for transport. http://www.instructables.com/id/Flat-Pack-Picnic-Table-From-1-Sheet-of-Plywood/?ALLSTEPS You can … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, woodworking | Comments Off on One sheet flat pack picnic table

Using an ESP8266 for home automation

Posted on May 12, 2016 by robertwilkie

This seems to be a common trend to use the ESP8266’s to control devices.  Its cheap ($6 in materials).  But….security, nil, easy to upgrade…errrr… http://www.instructables.com/id/6-IOT-Home-Automation/?ALLSTEPS

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