Category Archives: Makers

Writing sentences with a red ball

This video shows how you can combine Dasher, a clever text entry program, with RoboRealm, a clever machine vision program to write a sentence using a Red Ball and a WebCam. You do this without touching the PC! This could be used on a Wii, XBox or PS3 to control a browser.   [YouTube -ContinueContinue reading “Writing sentences with a red ball”

RFID controlled phone dialing

More and more uses are surfacing for RFID chips and I can foresee many practical applications for alternative access to a myriad of life related activities. Hackaday reports on a phone prototype which uses RFID tags to dial. It is common for our motor skills and eyesight to deteriorate as we get older. There areContinueContinue reading “RFID controlled phone dialing”

A myriad of relay controls for Makers incl USB

There’s been discussion previously on the blog about some off the shelf, usb controlled power outlets that a few readers were chasing. I recently received the below email from a reader, Tom Stephenson, about USB control of devices using relays. Thanks Tom. Hello Dave – Lifekludger, I think you might have interest in a USBContinueContinue reading “A myriad of relay controls for Makers incl USB”

Puff activated kick pedal mod for Guitar Hero

Ben Heck has modded the kick pedal on the drums of guitar hero so it can be operated by puff of the mouth by someone who uses a wheelchair.   Ben shows exactly how he went about the awesome mod over on his blog in a post here. http://benheck.com/03-01-2009/air-pressure-kick-pedal-for-gh4 This is a brilliant example ofContinueContinue reading “Puff activated kick pedal mod for Guitar Hero”

Awesome NES Controller Coffee Table

Kyle, an Aussie no less, has built a ripper coffee table come trunk that actually looks like and operates as a Nintendo controller. The build quality is great and the finishing touches and attention to detail fantastic. He details the build over on his blog “Ultra Awesome”. Aside from a great fun project this isContinueContinue reading “Awesome NES Controller Coffee Table”

Hardware prims

Some various links to sites highlighting some of the thinking and experimenting being done around ‘adaptable’ hardware. Some of it ‘open-source-hardware’. Anything used as a basis to build something else I like to refer to as a “prim” – borrowing from the secondlife concept of “primitives” – small basic building blocks used to build allContinueContinue reading “Hardware prims”

Lifekludger Research Lab

Seeing this site and video made me think that a Lifekludger Research Lab would be a good idea. Someone getting behind outfitting Lifekludger endeavours. Te GRL’s slogan is “Dedicated to outfitting graffiti artists with open source technologies for urban communication”. How cool would it be to have support for Lifekludging with the motto “Dedicated toContinueContinue reading “Lifekludger Research Lab”

Alarm backup power from phone lines?

I came across this site called 5min.com. It’s a how-to style video sharing site with heaps of neat tricks and tips. This video below got me thinking about emergency backup sources for such things as alarms etc. Watch it to the end. http://www.5min.com/Embeded/12198/ How to Get Free Electricity Watch more DIY videos on 5min.comhttp://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Get-Free-Electricity-12198 NearContinueContinue reading “Alarm backup power from phone lines?”

Turn phone into walking radar to detect physical spaces

The “Walking Radar” project connects up a Basic Stamp and IR sensor to your cell phone in order to detect objects in the environment and influence games on the device or trigger SMS messages to be sent. [Make] It occurred to me this gadget if hooked up to the vibration part of your phone couldContinueContinue reading “Turn phone into walking radar to detect physical spaces”

Modeling Second Life virtual objects in the Physical – Paper Prototyping

I recently came across this site called Export To World which offers a method of taking virtual objects created in Second Life and creating a physical paper model of it in First Life. In effect making physical objects from virtual ones. Novel concept you say, but so what? Well, think of the situation where aContinueContinue reading “Modeling Second Life virtual objects in the Physical – Paper Prototyping”

5 Dangerous Things Kids should do

Dangerous Things Kids should do     photo by Leo Reynolds 1. play with fire 2. own a pocket knife 3. throw a spear 4. de-construct appliances 5. break the DMCA (digital millennium copyright act) [5.5 drive a car] Confused? Then watch this video from TED. You may just be able to impart some realContinueContinue reading “5 Dangerous Things Kids should do”

Unforseen custom uses for Wii as input device

There exists assistive technology devices that use tracking of a reflective dot by infrared to control a computer. They cost in vacinity on USD $4-500. Now take a look at this video and think about the unforseen possibilities of general purpose ‘stuff’. And what happens with mass market uptake and the effect it has onContinueContinue reading “Unforseen custom uses for Wii as input device”

PowerSwitch kludging by Dave Faxon

Lifekludger correspondant Dave Faxon sent in this report on some mods he’s been doing on remote control access of power outlets.Dave first came to my attention when we were talking about the USB PowerBar when he, amongst many others, contacted me, everyone seeking such a device that has control of power outlets via USB. WeContinueContinue reading “PowerSwitch kludging by Dave Faxon”

Maker Faire – Lifekludger heaven

I have been looking with envy at the creativity going on over at Maker Faire 07. So many great ideas made just for the fun of it. A plethora of kludges and hacks to express the creativity and enginuity of everyday folk. So much potential juice for solving life’s little problems and enjoying doing so.ContinueContinue reading “Maker Faire – Lifekludger heaven”