IZation Labs

Below is a sketch and very basic plan for one of my more well thought out projects, one I’ve wanted to start working on for quite some time. I wont go into detail here, as the information is all in the image below (click on it for high resolution, or download it if need be). The gist of the project? A very powerful, highly customizable, home made remote control based on the inexpensive and versatile Arduino microcontroller and XBee wireless modules.

Thoughts and suggestions? Leave a comment on this article or head over to the project forum post for even more information and an ongoing discussion.

**Quick Edit; Forum registration has been fixed and is now automatic, so go ahead and register if you’ve been waiting due to the hassle!**

–Lace

I've been doing some sketchwork on a scene I want to model, here's an early stage of the main development building.

 
 
Here’s a model I made of a building I had sketched out a while ago. The proportions aren’t quite right yet, the building is ultimately supposed to be a hanger for very large aircraft. The sketch is much larger but I don’t want to give away too much too quickly.

Want to see the video? Click!

…no post! Sorry. This is what happens when school gets more difficult. I promise to make more of an effort from now on.

So for now, check out hackaday.com and this little comic. I recently purchased a new drawing tablet for my computer. Here’s some output from it. Click the image for full size! I need to change some things on the site, so keep an eye out for a face lift in the near future, too.

This has nothing to do with anything technology related, if you don’t count the fact that I did the sketching on paper but the editing using the Gimp. If you need a photoshop substitute and you like open source software, or if you want to get away from Apple’s overpriced software, then Gimp may be for you.

And don’t you dare think you can’t handle it. Mr. B is using it. No offense, B-san. I praise you for taking on new technology and ideas so openly, and encourage everyone else to spend their lives doing the exact same!

The Pandora continues to blossom! Head over to the OpenPandora website to check out some new photo realistic renders of the console, as well as some recent blog posts! I’m really torn between buying the Pandora and funding the purchase of an HD camera. Blender compositing is calling my name…

Sorry for the low frequency of posts! Things have just been a little hectic lately! Mr. B has been speaking of classrooms without walls quite a lot recently, and I realized that that is exactly what IZation Labs is. IZation Labs has no actual physical location. The only true constant of this site is the web address itself! It is made up of individuals all over the place, and no physical connection is needed! Kind of neat when you think about it!

Lace

Man has always dreamt of moving objects with his mind. It’s just one of those things that everyone would love to be able to do. Let me give you an example:

See the little stick figure? See what he’s doing? Telekinesis: manipulating objects with his mind. In this case he is lifting a wooden box and stopping bullets.

Mind numbing announcement. We’re getting there. No, really. And knowing the kind of things I blog about, how do you think we are ‘getting there’? That’s right. Technology.

Enter Emotiv’s EPOC. A controller that captures signals through the skull much the same as electroencephalography does and shunts the data into a computer or game system for processing. (Think of actually reaching out and using the force instead of pushing the left trigger in the next Star Wars game.) For around 300 dollars, you can own a device that has the potential to turn your thoughts into commands for not only digital, but also real world items.

It’s actually an amazing device, and seems to do a decent job of coming-through performance wise. There are multiple videos showing off what it can do at Emotiv’s website. To get an a basic idea of what the EPOC is capable of, watch this video. Note: I found a better video that isn’t hosted by facebook. Click the link to enjoy!

Think of the possibilities. One could tie this to a microcontroller or a small computer (eee PC, anyone?) and use it to take control of anything from, for example, remote control toys to heavily modified remote operated lawnmowers. Think of any item you own that requires a button push; maybe the turn of a dial. Theoretically, you could do away with the physical contact of pushing a button or turning that knob, replacing it with nothing but mental concentration.

Not to say that is a simple thing to do, but have you looked at the hacking community? If it’s possible, then someone can do it. Enough said. Go check out that website. It’s worth it.

And yes. I have reserved my EPOC headset. :]

Woodchuck62 suggests that we change IZation Lab’s catch phrase to “Making the Brain USB 2.0 Compatible One Unsuspecting Victim At A Time.” Maybe we could put that on a t-shirt and sell it!

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.