# Ep 133: Caustic Lenses, Not Ice-Cream Automation, Archery Mech Suit, and the Cheapest Robot Arm

- Show: [Hackaday Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast)
- Published: 2021-08-27
- Length: 46m
- Episode: 133
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-08-27-ep-133-caustic-lenses-not-ice-cream-automation-archery-mech-suit-and-the-cheapes
- Listen: https://hackaday.libsyn.com/ep-133-caustic-lenses-not-ice-cream-automation-archery-mech-suit-and-the-cheapest-robot-arm

## Summary

Hackaday editors Mike Szczys and Elliot Williams discuss several hardware hacks, including Matt Ferraro's caustic lens project which uses CNC-machined acrylic to project hidden 3D images via light refraction, and Norbert Hines' minimalist robot arm built from scrap wood and stepper motors. They also cover Boston Dynamics' Atlas robot parkour demonstrations, Shane Whiten's robotic archery mech suit, and Kevin Arne's weight-based plant watering system. The episode concludes with news about Intel discontinuing its RealSense 3D platform and a legal battle between Taylor and Kitch over McDonald's ice cream machine diagnostics.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-08-27-ep-133-caustic-lenses-not-ice-cream-automation-archery-mech-suit-and-the-cheapes#t=3) Introduction: Police Drone Incident and Intel RealSense Discontinuation
- [6:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-08-27-ep-133-caustic-lenses-not-ice-cream-automation-archery-mech-suit-and-the-cheapes#t=400) Audio Quiz and Matt Ferraro's Caustic Lens Hack
- [13:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-08-27-ep-133-caustic-lenses-not-ice-cream-automation-archery-mech-suit-and-the-cheapes#t=781) Ryan Kelly's Bootstrapable DIY CNC Mill
- [16:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-08-27-ep-133-caustic-lenses-not-ice-cream-automation-archery-mech-suit-and-the-cheapes#t=984) Boston Dynamics Atlas Robot Parkour and Engineering
- [21:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-08-27-ep-133-caustic-lenses-not-ice-cream-automation-archery-mech-suit-and-the-cheapes#t=1307) Norbert Hines' Minimalist Robot Arm and Shane Whiten's Archery Mech Suit
- [29:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-08-27-ep-133-caustic-lenses-not-ice-cream-automation-archery-mech-suit-and-the-cheapes#t=1740) Kevin Arne's Weight-Based Plant Watering System
- [33:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-08-27-ep-133-caustic-lenses-not-ice-cream-automation-archery-mech-suit-and-the-cheapes#t=1999) Quick Hacks: Monowheel, Tape Echo, and Caller ID
- [36:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-08-27-ep-133-caustic-lenses-not-ice-cream-automation-archery-mech-suit-and-the-cheapes#t=2180) ISS Nauka Module Spin Incident and McDonald's Ice Cream Machine Lawsuit

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Hackaday (company)
- Intel (company)
- RealSense (product)
- Boston Dynamics (company)
- Atlas (product)
- Taylor (company)
- Kitch (company)
- McDonald's (company)
- Nauka (product)
- ISS (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Editors Pick: Best Robots of CES 2023; Boston Dynamics Atlas video review](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-01-21-editors-pick-best-robots-of-ces-2023-boston-dynamics-atlas-video-review) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [501: If They’re Looking at the Details… then the Seafood is HORRIBLE](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2025-10-10-501-if-theyre-looking-at-the-details-then-the-seafood-is-horrible) (Making It)
- [Episode 143: ROBOTS!!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-11-10-episode-143-robots) (Making It)
- [Raspberry Pi 500, Robot Roadies, Huge 3d Printers and Car Hacking!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2023-11-26-raspberry-pi-500-robot-roadies-huge-3d-printers-and-car-hacking) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Episode 155: Brain tornado-ing and pretzels](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-02-09-episode-155-brain-tornado-ing-and-pretzels) (Making It)

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