# Ep 179: Danger Chess, Corona Motors, an Omni-Walker, and a Fast Talking Telescope

- Show: [Hackaday Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast)
- Published: 2022-07-29
- Length: 1h 13m
- Episode: 179
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-07-29-ep-179-danger-chess-corona-motors-an-omni-walker-and-a-fast-talking-telescope
- Listen: https://hackaday.libsyn.com/ep-179-danger-chess-corona-motors-an-omni-walker-and-a-fast-talking-telescope

## Summary

Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Dan Maloney review a week of hardware hacks, starting with Danger Chess, a robot that broke a child's finger due to a lack of safety interlocks, and a high-voltage corona motor by LaserSaber that generates useful torque. They analyze a 60-GHz phased array antenna teardown by Shariar, which reveals the extreme miniaturization required for RF ASICs, and discuss James Bruton's omnidirectional walker that combines strider mechanisms with omni-wheels. The episode concludes with a deep dive into the James Webb Space Telescope's solid-state recorder and high-gain antenna, highlighting the manual labor still required for automotive wire harnesses.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-07-29-ep-179-danger-chess-corona-motors-an-omni-walker-and-a-fast-talking-telescope#t=1) Introduction: Danger Chess and Safety Failures
- [6:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-07-29-ep-179-danger-chess-corona-motors-an-omni-walker-and-a-fast-talking-telescope#t=376) Sound Quiz and Nicholas Ream's Flying Propeller UAV
- [12:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-07-29-ep-179-danger-chess-corona-motors-an-omni-walker-and-a-fast-talking-telescope#t=772) Shariar's 60-GHz Phased Array Antenna Teardown
- [22:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-07-29-ep-179-danger-chess-corona-motors-an-omni-walker-and-a-fast-talking-telescope#t=1365) LaserSaber's High-Voltage Corona Motor
- [28:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-07-29-ep-179-danger-chess-corona-motors-an-omni-walker-and-a-fast-talking-telescope#t=1717) Volzo's Digital Toy Camera and Lomography
- [35:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-07-29-ep-179-danger-chess-corona-motors-an-omni-walker-and-a-fast-talking-telescope#t=2126) James Bruton's Omnidirectional Strider Walker
- [42:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-07-29-ep-179-danger-chess-corona-motors-an-omni-walker-and-a-fast-talking-telescope#t=2575) A.G. Barber's Digital Measuring Wheel
- [46:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-07-29-ep-179-danger-chess-corona-motors-an-omni-walker-and-a-fast-talking-telescope#t=2811) Quick Hacks: Ultrasonic Levitation and Adaptive Optics
- [53:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-07-29-ep-179-danger-chess-corona-motors-an-omni-walker-and-a-fast-talking-telescope#t=3192) Dan Maloney on Manual Wire Harness Manufacturing
- [1:01:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-07-29-ep-179-danger-chess-corona-motors-an-omni-walker-and-a-fast-talking-telescope#t=3667) James Webb Space Telescope Communications and SSR

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Danger Chess (product)
- LaserSaber (other)
- Shariar (other)
- James Bruton (other)
- Volzo (other)
- A.G. Barber (other)
- James Webb Space Telescope (product)
- Nokia (company)
- Bell Labs (company)
- Hackaday (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Space Difficulties and Lost Heroes - Wanzing Workshop Whemmle](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-11-06-space-difficulties-and-lost-heroes-wanzing-workshop-whemmle) (The Amp Hour)
- [Rube Goldbergs in Spaaaace](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-01-02-rube-goldbergs-in-spaaaace) (The Amp Hour)
- [Multicopter, DIY drones & Tektronix - Zappy Zendik Zoilism](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-08-30-multicopter-diy-drones-tektronix-zappy-zendik-zoilism) (The Amp Hour)
- [Chaffered Chocolate Coemption](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-04-09-chaffered-chocolate-coemption) (The Amp Hour)
- [314: Why Are Wings Needed in Space? (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-07-07-314-why-are-wings-needed-in-space-repeat) (Embedded.fm)

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