October 2023 Round Up
Autumn has officially arrived, and with it comes an abundance of fresh inspirations for all of us.
Welcome to the October Edition!
It’s the October edition! We’ve got whole bunch of things to read and videos to watch. Robotics, DIY projects, and amazing tech, starting with Becky Stern's tutorial on a Companion Robot backpack. running Linux on an ESP32, looking at SD Card speed constraints, memory allocation insights, and a spooky DIY talking skull for Halloween. On the reading front, we spotlight Lisp Badge LE and OpenIPC, followed by features on robotic parkour, miniature Tokyo models, an all-sky camera tutorial, and more. Plus, we tackle the USB-C quality debate. Grab yourself a nice warm drink and settle in.
Things To Watch
Building the Perfect Robot Backpack
Becky Stern takes us through the detailed process of creating a supportive backpack for a Companion Robot. The journey from prototype creation using black canvas to the final outcome, the video highlights every minor detail involved in crafting the perfect cradle for the robot. It’s full of handy tips for efficient creations.
Linux on the ESP32? Surely Impossible!
We’ve got used to running Linux on a Raspberry Pi - but often a Pi might not be the most suitable solution, especially when you want to embed it into projects. The ESP32 is often a better choice for energy efficiency and capability. And this edition of element14 presents takes a look at running Linux on an ESP32!
Boosting ESP32 SD Card Performance
Atomic14 has been building an ESP32 based TV. To store big videos he needs to use an SD Card, but there’s a problem getting videos onto the SD Card - it’s just too slow. Watch the video to learn the underlying reasons behind the disappointing transfer speeds and have a look at simple coding tweaks to get faster performance.
Understanding Physical Memory Allocation
Dive head first into this video from Low Byte Productions exploring the Xv6 kernel’s physical memory allocation mechanism. Take a look at the under-the-hood processes that govern who gets what slice of the RAM. Strap in for this enlightening exploration of one of the operating system's core foundations.
DIY Is Not Dead: Remote Control Talking Skull
Join Natasha of TechnoChic as she guides us on a charmingly spooky DIY project! In this video, marvel at how she creates an interactive, remote-controlled talking skull for Halloween using simple tools, a microbit, and crazy circuits. Tune in to add an extra pinch of fright to your festive decor.
Converting Images to Innovative Waves with Low Byte Productions
Another one from Low Byte Productions as they showcase how to transform regular images into wave representation on a pixel-basis. The video provides in-depth, yet digestible, explanations of intricate mathematical concepts like signal processing and sine waves. Ideal for game developers and those who dabble in Shader-driven GPU applications, this video delivers both information and inspiration.
Solar Powered Lamps: Lighting The Future
Bleeptrack embarks on a fascinating solar lamp project, using customizable solar modules. This eco-friendly and innovative solution not only provides illumination but also integrates generative art, adding a touch of playfulness. Explore this video to discover how sustainable energy can light up our lives in creative ways.
Redefining Room Sensor Energy Consumption
Enwi revamps room sensor energy efficiency in this interesting video. Through meticulous recalibrations and innovative add-ons, discover how he slashes power usage by an astonishing 54%. Get ready to go from exhausted to energized!
Death to QR Menus!
Guy Dupont shares his inventive hack around QR-code menus - a device that scans QR codes and outputs a printed copy! This device, combining a scanner and printer, transforms digital menus or any other QR coded content into tangible copies within seconds.
Announcements
2024 Open Hardware Summit: Call For Papers
Enthusiastic about open hardware? Here's your opportunity to engage with a like-minded community. The Open Hardware Summit invites proposals for talks and workshops for its 2024 event in Montreal. Covering wide-ranging topics from space propulsion to right to repair legislation, the summit provides a platform for learning, discussion, and presenting open hardware practices. Act quickly as the deadline for proposal submissions is December 17, 2023.
TinyTapeout 02 Silicon Is Alive!
Tiny Tapeout 2 chips arrived last week and the team broke new ground with a nerve-wracking live stream ASIC bringup! Thankfully the chips worked and Matt has since tested a bunch of designs. If you want to try making your own ASIC, you have 9 days left until Tiny Tapeout 5 closes for submissions!
Things To Read
Lisp Badge LE: A Tinkerer's Dream Come True
Imagine a self-contained computer with its own display and keyboard programmed in Lisp - and it's low-power too! Have a look at this full-detailed overview of the fascinating Lisp Badge LE; from its impressive features such as 2800 Lisp objects, a 250x122 pixel display, and a uniquely designed keyboard, to its robust construction and near 40-hour battery life. It's the ideal gadget for those passionate about microcontroller programming.
An Open Source Revolution in IP Cameras
Say goodbye to closed, insecure and unsupported firmware in IP cameras with OpenIPC. Based on Buildroot, this open-source operating system uses binary pre-compiled files, and includes code open for further development by willing contributors. Initially supporting only SoC by HiSilicon, it now accommodates chips from various manufacturers.
Robots Jump Into Extreme Parkour
Ever wondered if robots could perform parkour, the discipline of traversing obstacles with agility and dynamic movements? This article demonstrates that indeed they can, courtesy of a unique blend of robotics and neural network policy. Now, that's a leap forward in innovation!
DIY Pyramid Salt Crystals - Salty and Fantastic!
Unleash your inner chemist by creating pyramid salt crystals right in your kitchen! Using regular table salt or sea salt, a stove, and some household items, you can transform your cooking ingredient into artistic, flavorful crystals that dissolve quickly for a burst of flavor. This step-by-step guide walks you through the process in detail and guarantees beautiful pyramid salt crystals.
Building the Miniature City of Tokyo
If you ever played Sim City this will feel familiar - it’s a realistic miniature model of Tokyo! This intricate and detailed project pays homage to the city's urban architecture, offering a distinct perspective and a great inspiration for hobbyist model makers and artists. Explore the intersection of technology, creativity, and culture in this one-of-a-kind creation.
All-Sky Camera from Scratch with Raspberry Pi
Ever dreamt of owning an all-sky camera? This is an engaging piece that guides through creating your very own with a Raspberry Pi. It's an absolute treat for the DIY enthusiast and an exceptional way to explore the starry skies.
Disney's Emotional Robots: Small But Mighty
Get ready to fall in love with a robot. In this article, we look at how Disney masterfully integrates big emotion into their petite, yet robust, robotic creations. See how they transcend the line between machines and endearing characters, changing the way we perceive robots.
A Deep Dive into the Intel 386 Processor
This article takes us on a journey inside the Intel 386 - a game-changer that greatly influenced the modern computing scene in the 20th century. It not only explains the evolutionary leaps Intel made while creating this chip, such as moving from a 1.5 µm manufacturing process to a 1 µm one, but also looks closely at the processor's complex internal structure, and how it paved the way for Intel's tick-tock strategy. A must-read for computer hardware enthusiasts.
The Science Behind USB-C Connectors
This teardown analysis takes a deep dive into the engineering differences between various USB-C cables, particularly the much-debated Apple Thunderbolt 4, Amazon Basics USB-C, NiceTQ USB-C, and the ATYFUER USB-C. From intricate design details to the performance, get an insider's review on what justifies the price difference and understand if high-end really means high-performance.
Closing Thoughts
Yet another month has come to an end and as we further approach the year end, the inspiration continues to flow! We sincerely hope that you found the material in this month’s newsletter as exciting as we did. As always, we'd love to hear your thoughts, so don't hesitate to leave a comment. Please share this newsletter with others in your network.
Until next time, stay curious, keep learning and remember, each season brings a new set of opportunities to discover and grow. Wishing you all the best for your ongoing and upcoming projects!