IZation Labs

As an update to my last post about the microcontroller known as the Arduino, here’s a very interesting video I found on youtube, as well as it’s documentation.

Basically what they are doing is reading the sensor (human input) data from the Wii Nunchuck, which (thank you Nintendo) uses a standard i2c interface. Once they have that data anything can be done with it. In this case, 2 servos are controlled creating a pan tilt mechanism that mimics the motion of the nunchuck. Clicking either link at the end of this post will explain more fully. Read more »

Well, time for another site update. The functionality continues to improve as I find more and more useful plug-ins for use with WordPress. The most recent and most noticeable improvement is a plugin called Lightbox.

If you’ve ever been over to Instructables and clicked a photo on their site before, you have already seen the Lightbox effect. Rather than try to explain it to you, try clicking on the photo up above.

The only issue I have is that I can’t seem to get my photo blog plugin to play nicely with my lightbox install. I hope to get that worked out in the near future. Another nice new feature is the admission of a log in widget on the right hand column of the web site, which turns into a mini user links area once you’ve logged in. Also useful is the Online visitor widget that has been added right above that. Read more »

I have to say that I am a big fan of xkcd. I just love the kind of humor that can be found there. I have every comic. Here’s a taste of my own, in a new kind of post that I am proud to introduce.

The sketches posts are… well, just that, sketches. They might be from napkins, a random sheet of paper, my notebook, sticky notes, or even my arm if I can’t find anything else. It might be a funny thing from my life turned comic, or it might be design ideas for a new robot or piece of machinery. If anybody else wants to contribute, feel free to contact me! A word of warning: my drawing skills aren’t exactly first rate! Remember, it is the meaning behind the sketch that matters, much like everything else in life. Everything has meaning. You can’t have an interesting sketch/life without some meaning hidden deep inside.

Whoa, getting a little existential. Better go get the air cannon out and shoot at things that ought not be shot at.

Looking around over at Trossen Robotics today, I noticed the end of the August TRC Project has some extremely interesting entries. After some intense link-clicking, I found myself at the iC Hexapod site. Before I say anything else, watch this video.

Amazing, huh?

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Today’s post is about a microcontroller called the Arduino Diecimila.

You may not be familiar with the term microcontroller. A microcontroller is basically a small, often times specialized computer. Some microcontrollers such as the Basic Stamp and Arduino are easily programmable and are great for prototyping and do it yourself projects, meaning that geeks and make-your-own X product kind of people jump all over them. I know, that doesn’t do it justice, but it will suffice for now.

The arduino is a neat little device. Unlike the Basic Stamp 2 or some other common microcontrollers, the Arduino can be purchased very cheaply ($35), and is usually already completely assembled. To get started with your own electronics projects, all you have to do is plug it into your usb port. Then you just download the free programming environment from the arduino website and you are ready to go.

Oh, and did I mention that it’s all open source?

Read more »

It’s been a little while, I know, I just didn’t have time to post while on vacation. There was too much to do! But never fear, for photos of Virginia Beach and Annapolis are on their way!

Virginia Beach was very nice, nothing but clear skies the entire time we were there. We stayed in a hotel along the beach with a nice view of the ocean. Read more »