Hackaday Podcast · 28 Apr 2023 · 47m · Episode 216
Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Al Williams review the week's hacks, starting with the Hackaday Prize's assistive tech challenge, which highlights 3D-printed customizations for wheelchairs and dementia-friendly radio interfaces. They discuss a 1930s facsimile machine that transmitted images via phone lines using a rotating drum and photo tube, and a project using an ESP32 with the Talkie library to replicate 1980s speech synthesis. The episode also covers a slow movie player using neural networks to minimize e-ink ghosting, an electrochemical fabrication method for rocket engine cooling channels, and an op-amp noise generator triggered by static electricity. Finally, they analyze a thrift-store 1802-based computer and an article advocating for the underused FET in discrete designs.
makers and hobbyists
Other shows on the same ground, closest first.
The host of The Electromaker Show reviews the February Electromaker of the Month winners, including a LoRa walkie-talkie by Kutlahan Akta, and celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Raspberry Pi. He discusses a faithful Sol-20 retro computer recreation using a Raspberry Pi, reviews the Blues Wireless Notecard for cellular IoT, and highlights a Cornell University project for silent voice command recognition via lip reading.
Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their current projects and media consumption habits. David Picciuto is converting a Casio toy keyboard into a Moog-style synthesizer with integrated effects pedals, while Bob Clagett iterates on 3D-printed hinge designs for a magnetic phone charger. The hosts also debate the value of consuming maker content versus creating, with Jimmy Diresta sharing his experience building a light-based Theremin for his college band.
The host discusses several maker projects, starting with Liam Tronics' full EV conversion of a Massey Ferguson 65C tractor, which uses an 8051 microcontroller and custom PCB for software-controlled clutching. The episode then covers Embedded World 2025's Startup City, highlighting companies like Tactun, Pineberry Pi, and Doodooc. Finally, the host details two upcycling projects: Mukesh Sankher's $10 EdgeAI camera using an ESP32 Fire Beetle 2 and EdgeImpulse for data collection, and Tom Granger's 1978 Sony Fx300 'Jackal' rebuild, which integrates a Teensy, ESP32, and NFC reading capabilities into the vintage chassis.
Host Ian reviews a mix of embedded hardware news, crowdfunding projects, and maker tutorials. He covers Nvidia's new Generative AI tools for robotics, the Tangara ESP32 music player on Crowd Supply, and Seeed Studio's high-refresh-rate Inkplate 6 Motion. The episode also highlights specific maker projects, including a DIY RC car using an ESP8266, a Silicon Labs gesture remote powered by Neuton.AI, and the open-source CLN17 stepper driver.
The host of The Electromaker Show reviews the August Electromaker of the Month winners, including a QR code access system by SwAWEC 13, a smoke detection project by Blatz 01 using Nordic Semiconductor kits, and a light-based audio transmission project by Yeshvanth M. He also discusses the MNT Pocket Reform, a modular open-source mini laptop, and GlowStich LEDs, which are sewing-machine-compatible conductive strips for wearable tech. Additionally, the episode covers Femto, an ultra-compact RP2040 development board, and a 3D-printed electronic guitar built with multiple ESP32 microcontrollers.
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