# Ep 251: Pluto, Pinball, Speedy Surgery, and DIY GPS

- Show: [Hackaday Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast)
- Published: 2024-01-05
- Length: 1h 06m
- Episode: 251
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-01-05-ep-251-pluto-pinball-speedy-surgery-and-diy-gps
- Listen: https://hackaday.libsyn.com/ep-251-pluto-pinball-speedy-surgery-and-diy-gps

## Summary

Hosts Elliot Williams and Dan Maloney review a diverse set of hardware hacks, including a DIY GPS receiver built from scratch by Leaning Tower, a Raspberry Pi-based system for localizing fireworks by Kim Hendrix, and a mechanical pinball logic analysis by Technology Connections. They also discuss a local AI tool by Justine Tunney for renaming images, a video feedback machine by David Blair, and a surgical efficiency model by Lewin Day. The episode concludes with a look at 2023 hardware trends, highlighting the rise of affordable PCBA services and faster 3D printing.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-01-05-ep-251-pluto-pinball-speedy-surgery-and-diy-gps#t=3) Introduction: Chaos Communication Congress Field Telephones
- [4:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-01-05-ep-251-pluto-pinball-speedy-surgery-and-diy-gps#t=248) Pluto's Demotion: History and Astronomy with Michael Booker
- [15:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-01-05-ep-251-pluto-pinball-speedy-surgery-and-diy-gps#t=947) Firework Localization: Raspberry Pi and Raven Light by Kim Hendrix
- [22:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-01-05-ep-251-pluto-pinball-speedy-surgery-and-diy-gps#t=1362) Video Feedback Fractals: The God Machine by David Blair
- [27:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-01-05-ep-251-pluto-pinball-speedy-surgery-and-diy-gps#t=1678) DIY GPS Receiver: Building from Scratch by Leaning Tower
- [30:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-01-05-ep-251-pluto-pinball-speedy-surgery-and-diy-gps#t=1815) Pinball Logic: Relays and Stepper Switches by Technology Connections
- [37:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-01-05-ep-251-pluto-pinball-speedy-surgery-and-diy-gps#t=2230) Local AI: Renaming Images with Large Language Models by Justine Tunney
- [41:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-01-05-ep-251-pluto-pinball-speedy-surgery-and-diy-gps#t=2506) Quick Hacks: LED Fireplace, Scope Repair, Air Drums, and Surfboard
- [47:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-01-05-ep-251-pluto-pinball-speedy-surgery-and-diy-gps#t=2857) 2023 Hardware Trends: AI, Space, and PCBA Services
- [56:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-01-05-ep-251-pluto-pinball-speedy-surgery-and-diy-gps#t=3382) Surgical Efficiency: High Intensity Theater by Lewin Day

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Chaos Communication Congress (other)
- Pluto (other)
- Raspberry Pi (chip)
- Raven Light (tool)
- Cornell University (company)
- David Blair (other)
- Scanimate (tool)
- Leaning Tower (other)
- FPGA (chip)
- Technology Connections (other)
- Justine Tunney (other)
- Mozilla (company)
- Chat GPT (other)
- Open AI (company)
- CH32V003 (chip)
- Raspberry Pi Pico (chip)
- MPU 6050 (chip)
- Lewin Day (other)

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- [Electromaker of the Month Winners, Maker Music Festival, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-03-10-electromaker-of-the-month-winners-maker-music-festival-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Pi Zero Handheld, Arduino TensorFlow Weather Prediction, MangoPI RISC-V and More!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-02-16-pi-zero-handheld-arduino-tensorflow-weather-prediction-mangopi-risc-v-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [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)
- [PI Day, DOOM on the RP2040, Pockit Modular Computer, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-03-17-pi-day-doom-on-the-rp2040-pockit-modular-computer-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Pi Powered Jägermachine, Anti-tracking hardware, Trojans inside AVR bootloaders, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-10-03-pi-powered-jagermachine-anti-tracking-hardware-trojans-inside-avr-bootloaders-an) (The Electromaker Show)

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