Just like the garage computer explosion of the 70’s through the 80’s, which brought us such things as Apple, pong, Bill Gate’s hair, and the proliferation of personal computers, the maker movement is the new garage hardware explosion. Today, 135 million adults in the United States alone are involved in the maker movement.
Enthusiasts who want to build the products they want, from shortwave radios to personal computers, and to tweak products they’ve bought to make them even better, have long been a part of the electronics industry. By all measures, garage-style innovation remains alive and well today, as “makers” as they are called continue to turn out contemporary gadgets, including 3D printers, drones, and embedded electronics devices.
Making is about individual Do-It-Yourselfers being able to design and create with tools that were, as of a decade or two ago, only available to large, cash-rich corporations: CAD tools, CNC mills, 3D printers, low-quantity PCB manufacturing, open hardware such as Arduinos and similar inexpensive development boards – all items that have made it easier and relatively cheap to make whatever we imagine. For individuals, maker tools can change how someone views their home or their hobbies. The world is ours to make. Humans are genetically wired to be makers. The maker movement is simply the result of making powerful building and communication tools accessible to the masses. There are plenty of projects from makers that show good engineering: Take this Arduino board with tremendous potential, developed by a young maker, as example.
The maker movement is a catalyst to democratize entrepreneurship as these do-it-yourself electronics are proving to be hot sellers: In the past year, unit sales for 3D printing related products; Arduino units, parts and supplies; Raspberry Pi boards; drones and quadcopters; and robotics goods are all on a growth curve in terms of eBay sales. There are many Kickstarter maker projects going on. The Pebble E-Paper Watch raises $10 million. The LIFX smartphone-controlled LED bulb raises $1.3 million. What do these products have in common? They both secured funding through Kickstarter, a crowd-funding website that is changing the game for entrepreneurs. Both products were created by makers who seek to commercialize their inventions. These “startup makers” iterate on prototypes with high-end tools at professional makerspaces.
For companies to remain competitive, they need to embrace the maker movement or leave themselves open for disruption. Researchers found that 96 percent of business leaders believe new technologies have forever changed the rules of business by democratizing information and rewiring customer expectations. - You’ve got to figure out agile innovation. Maybe history is repeating itself as the types of products being sold reminded us of the computer tinkering that used to be happening in the 1970s to 1990s – similar in terms of demographics, tending to be young people, and low budget. Now the do-it-yourself category is deeply intertwined with the electronics industry. Open hardware is in the center in maker movement – we need open hardware designs! How can you publish your designs and still do business with it? Open source ecosystem markets behave differently and therefore require a very different playbook than traditional tech company: the differentiation is not in the technology you build; it is in the process and expertise that you slowly amass over an extended period of time.
By democratizing the product development process, helping these developments get to market, and transforming the way we educate the next generation of innovators, we will usher in the next industrial revolution. The world is ours to make. Earlier the PC created a new generation of software developers who could innovate in the digital world without the limitations of the physical world (virtually no marginal cost, software has become the great equalizer for innovation. Now advances in 3D printing and low-cost microcontrollers as well as the ubiquity of advanced sensors are enabling makers to bridge software with the physical world. Furthermore, the proliferation of wireless connectivity and cloud computing is helping makers contribute to the Internet of Things (IoT). We’re even beginning to see maker designs and devices entering those markets once thought to be off-limits, like medical.
Image source: The world is ours to make: The impact of the maker movement – EDN Magazine
In fact, many parents have engaged in the maker movement with their kids because they know that the education system is not adequately preparing their children for the 21st century. There is a strong movement to spread this DIY idea widely. The Maker Faire, which launched in the Bay Area in California in 2006, underlined the popularity of the movement by drawing a record 215,000 people combined in the Bay Area and New York events in 2014. There’s Maker Media, MakerCon, MakerShed, Make: magazine and 131 Maker Faire events that take place throughout the world. Now the founders of all these Makers want a way to connect what they refer to as the “maker movement” online. So Maker Media created a social network called MakerSpace, a Facebook-like social network that connects participants of Maker Faire in one online community. The new site will allow participants of the event to display their work online. There are many other similar sites that allow yout to present yout work fron Hackaday to your own blog. Today, 135 million adults in the United States alone are involved in the maker movement—although makers can be found everywhere in the world.
6,826 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/07/06/ggwave-sings-the-songs-of-your-data/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.hackster.io/news/stefan-wagner-s-attiny-voice-changer-is-a-compact-open-source-toy-for-pitch-shifting-audio-c9f3ae46add9
Tomi Engdahl says:
Caffeine Overdose Imminent… Don’t Drink Another Cup of Coffee
YouTuber Michael Pick built a special coffee machine that will tell you when you’re going to overdose on caffeine.
https://www.hackster.io/news/caffeine-overdose-imminent-don-t-drink-another-cup-of-coffee-ec44f0923429
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Hungry Baby Alarm Sends an Alert Before They Begin to Cry
As an effort to get more consistent sleep free from the disruptive crying of his baby, Caleb Olson has created an intelligent monitor.
https://www.hackster.io/news/the-hungry-baby-alarm-sends-an-alert-before-they-begin-to-cry-a1b65a54b06e
Tomi Engdahl says:
Sector 07′s “Project LUMEN” Is a Voice-Activated Coffee-Making Sci-Fi Sunrise Simulator
A 50-minute sci-fi film, or a detailed project overview? Sector 07′s Austin decided to do both to show off his latest creation.
https://www.hackster.io/news/sector-07-s-project-lumen-is-a-voice-activated-coffee-making-sci-fi-sunrise-simulator-d516992403ff
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Fully Functional LEGO Submarine ROV
Prepare to be amazed by this fully functional LEGO remote submarine built by the proprietor of the Brick Experiment Channel on YouTube.
https://www.hackster.io/news/a-fully-functional-lego-submarine-rov-2e93850cfd5e
Tomi Engdahl says:
Take a Look at Some of the Best DIY Gaming Projects From Around the Community
This list contains innovative and creative projects from the DIY community that range from board games to handheld video game consoles.
https://www.hackster.io/news/take-a-look-at-some-of-the-best-diy-gaming-projects-from-around-the-community-4596332d1c72
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/new-bookazine-retrograde-the-ultimate-guide-to-pre-millennial-pc-hardware/
Tomi Engdahl says:
A LINUX BUSINESS CARD YOU CAN BUILD
https://hackaday.com/2022/07/14/a-linux-business-card-you-can-build/
https://dmitry.gr/?r=05.Projects&proj=33.%20LinuxCard
Tomi Engdahl says:
This PCB Business Card Runs Linux on an Arm Cortex-M0 While Emulating a DECstation
Connects via USB-C without a discrete connector.
https://www.hackster.io/news/this-pcb-business-card-runs-linux-on-an-arm-cortex-m0-while-emulating-a-decstation-7b212664a496
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.hackster.io/michael-cartwright/breadboard-zif-socket-adapter-153960
Tomi Engdahl says:
Olympia Info Globe Displays Internet Time
Landline-era Olympia Info Globe hacked for custom messaging with an ESP8266.
https://www.hackster.io/news/olympia-info-globe-displays-internet-time-dc249b3082ac
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.hackster.io/news/the-cree-board-combines-leds-with-a-keyboard-to-create-a-unique-macropad-738c5d9c3b8c
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://blog.arduino.cc/2022/07/14/a-temperature-sensing-pac-man-ghost-led-matrix-for-retro-gamers/
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Casino’Clock Keeps Track of the Time Using Playing Cards
The Casino’Clock is a playing card flap display designed around an ESP32 microcontroller, 3D-printed rotors, and several stepper motors
https://www.hackster.io/news/the-casino-clock-keeps-track-of-the-time-using-playing-cards-6b464f374a53
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.hackster.io/news/this-diy-mechanical-keyboard-contains-a-plethora-of-exciting-features-49b375bbc83c
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.hackster.io/news/congratulations-to-the-winners-of-infineon-s-build-ai-for-the-iot-contest-1a103bcc9627
Tomi Engdahl says:
Built from less than $4,000 in parts, this low-cost open source atomic force microscope has already proven capable of detecting dermatitis.
This $4,000 Open Source High-Speed Atomic Force Microscope Is a Nanoscale Imaging Marvel
https://www.hackster.io/news/this-4-000-open-source-high-speed-atomic-force-microscope-is-a-nanoscale-imaging-marvel-69e5786fd824
Built from less than $4,000 in parts, this low-cost open source atomic force microscope has already proven capable of detecting dermatitis.
A team of scientists from the National Taiwan University, the Technical Universities of Denmark and Munich, and the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt has built an open source design for a nanoscale imaging high-speed atomic force microscope (HS-AFM) — buildable for under $4,000.
“For the first time,” says co-author Edwin Hwu of the team’s work, “you can build a High-Speed AFM and get 46×46µm, 512×512 pixels image in 9.3 seconds. [This] low-cost HS-AFM can measure the nanotexture of human skin corneocytes. Costs you less than a Mac Pro!”
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/analog/article/21247948/electronic-design-nanoflyer-uses-embedded-el-flashers-for-tracking-signaling?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS220808021&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
Trippy Bicycle Uses Multiple Partial Wheels
https://hackaday.com/2022/07/31/trippy-bicycle-uses-multiple-partial-wheels/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Dead Spider Becomes Robot Gripper: It’s Necrobotics!
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/01/dead-spider-becomes-robot-gripper-its-necrobotics/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/01/ask-hackaday-what-was-your-first-electronics-win/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/01/scavenging-cds-for-flexible-parts/
CDs are becoming largely obsolete now, thanks to the speed of the internet and the reliability and low costs of other storage media. To help keep all of this plastic out of the landfills, many have been attempting to find uses for these old discs. One of the more intriguing methods of reprurposing CDs was recently published in Nature, which details a process to harvest and produce flexible biosensors from them.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-31338-9
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/01/simple-propulsion-for-the-lazy-paddle-boarder/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/01/opendendrometer-can-measure-how-your-tree-feels/
https://hackaday.io/project/185224-opendendrometer
Tomi Engdahl says:
Homemade SawStop Attachment Is Just About As Sketchy As It Sounds
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/02/homemade-sawstop-attachment-is-just-about-as-sketchy-as-it-sounds/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/02/rc-lawnmower-is-built-to-last/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/03/maximum-power-point-tracking-optimizing-solar-panels/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Saving Fuel With Advanced Sensors And An Arduino
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/03/saving-fuel-with-advanced-sensors-and-an-arduino/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/03/the-hackaday-summer-camp-survival-guide/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/03/hackaday-prize-2022-a-hefty-hoverboard-rover/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/03/hackable-20-modem-combines-lte-and-pi-zero-w2-power/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/03/brass-plaque-honors-brother/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/04/3d-printed-braiding-machine-brings-back-some-history/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/05/e-paper-price-tags-combined-to-create-a-large-wireless-display/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/05/lawnmower-doesnt-need-a-base-station/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/04/stewart-platform-wields-magic-fingers-to-massage-your-scalp/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Welcome To Ziptie City
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/05/welcome-to-ziptie-city/
Gravity, magnetism, the weak and strong nuclear forces; sure they hold a lot of stuff together. But the other binding force of nature that demands your utmost respect? Zip ties.
Or at least that’s [Alan Reiner]’s take on the combination of cable ties and 3D printing. (Video, embedded below.) So he’s designed a demo model, Zip Tie City, that goes through a number of the possibilities that designing in zip-tie channels offer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgt9P6jsyaY
https://www.printables.com/model/248291-zip-tie-city
Tomi Engdahl says:
Build Your Own 3D Printed Bluetooth Headphones
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/05/build-your-own-3d-printed-bluetooth-headphones/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Books You Should Read: The Hardware Hacker’s Handbook
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/05/books-you-should-read-the-hardware-hackers-handbook/
Today, I’d like to highlight one of the most complete introductions to hardware hacking I’ve seen so far – from overall principles to technical details, spanning all levels of complexity, uniting theory and practice. This is The Hardware Hacking Handbook, by Jasper van Woudenberg and Colin O’Flynn. Across four hundred pages, you will find as complete of an introduction to subverting hardware as there is. None of the nuances are considered to be self-evident; instead, this book works to fill any gaps you might have, finding words to explain every relevant concept on levels from high to low.
Apart from the overall hardware hacking principles and examples, this book focuses on the areas of fault injection and power analysis – underappreciated areas of hardware security that you’d stand to learn, given that these two practices give you superpowers when it comes to taking control of hardware. It makes sense, since these areas are the focus of [Colin]’s and [Jasper]’s research, and they’re able to provide you something you wouldn’t learn elsewhere. You’d do well with a ChipWhisperer in hand if you wanted to repeat some of the things this book shows, but it’s not a requirement. For a start, the book’s theory of hardware hacking is something you would benefit from either way.
https://nostarch.com/hardwarehacking
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/06/learning-by-playing/
The kids didn’t even flinch at having to learn a new 3D modelling tool, and the parallels to what they were already comfortable doing in Minecraft were obvious to them. My son came home and told me how much easier it was to do your 3D modelling in “this other Minecraft” – he meant TinkerCAD – because you don’t need to build everything out of single blocks. He thought he was playing games, but he’d secretly used his first CAD tool. Nice trick!
Tomi Engdahl says:
Hackaday Prize 2022: DIY Brushless Hand Cranked Generator
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/06/hackaday-prize-2022-diy-brushless-hand-cranked-generator/
Tomi Engdahl says:
PixMob Wristband Protocol Reverse-Engineering Groundwork
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/06/pixmob-wristband-protocol-reverse-engineering-groundwork/
Tomi Engdahl says:
This Stainless Steel Knife Build Starts With Raw Iron Ore
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/06/this-stainless-steel-knife-build-starts-with-raw-iron-ore/
Tomi Engdahl says:
CT Scans Help Reverse Engineer Mystery Module
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/07/ct-scans-help-reverse-engineer-mystery-module/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Homemade CAT Scan Shouldn’t Scan Cats
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/07/homemade-cat-scan-shouldnt-scan-cats/
[Pyrotechnical] thought about buying a CAT scanner and found out they cost millions of dollars. So he decided to build one for about $200 using a salvage X-ray tube and some other miscellaneous parts. A scintillating detector provides the image for pick up with a camera phone. The control? An Arduino, what else? You can watch the video below, but due to plenty of NSFW language, you might want to put your headphones on if you don’t want to shock anyone.
Of course, you need to be careful when working with energetic X-rays. To keep away from the X-ray source, [Pyrotechnical] used a Roku remote and an IR sensor to control the device from afar. The electronics is pretty easy. You just have to rotate a turntable and trigger the camera while lighting up the X-ray tube.
I made an X-Ray CAT scanner for 4000x cheaper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRjN72PT3Xs
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/07/real-robot-one-is-real/
Tomi Engdahl says:
PC Hardware Monitor Uses Tricorder-Derived Tech
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/08/pc-hardware-monitor-uses-tricorder-derived-tech/
The visually striking hardware monitor that [Mangy_Dog] recently put together for his new custom PC build might look like something out of the Alien franchise, but the hardware he’s built it around actually comes from a very different science-fiction property: Star Trek. Or at least, from a very impressive line of Star Trek props, anyway.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGYeBKm4DAI
Tomi Engdahl says:
Hackaday Prize 2022: A Plasma Tweeter For Ultimate Clarity
https://hackaday.com/2022/08/08/a-plasma-tweeter-for-ultimate-clarity/
In the world of audio there are a huge variety of esoteric technologies which are rarely seen. One such is the plasma tweeter, a type of loudspeaker which generates sound by modulating a small electrical discharge. The benefit of this design comes in its delivering the closest possible to a point audio source, in effect the theoretical ideal speaker for treble frequencies. They’re a little hazardous due to the voltage but aren’t too difficult to make, as demonstrated by [Mircemk] whose version uses a recycled power pentode tube — which is how it showed up in the Hack it Back round of the Hackaday Prize.
DIY Plasma Tweeter (speaker)
https://hackaday.io/project/179780-diy-plasma-tweeter-speaker
This projectdescribes the making of an unusual tweeter speaker that is much appreciated in the high-end audio class.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Soil moisture measurement device
Visual control of soil moisture w/ Raspberry Pi Pico
https://hackaday.io/project/178522-soil-moisture-measurement-device