R-B | Embedded Lab

Author Archives: R-B

Infra-red controlled smart AC outlet

Posted on August 28, 2014 by R-B Leave a comment

Infrared remote control for home appliances is a popular project among hobbyists and students. Smart Outlet is a similar project that provides an infrared controlled AC outlet to connect any electric appliance and has an integrated timer in it. The appliance can be turned on and off from several feet away using an IR remote. The device is Arduino-controlled and has a LCD display to provide a menu based interface to the user for its operation and settings.

Smart AC outlet

Keep yourself updated in real-time with NoteU

Posted on August 26, 2014 by R-B Leave a comment

Noteu is an Arduino-based real-time display designed to notify the user of anything from the computer including the CPU speed, reminders for the meetings scheduled in the user’s Google Calender, emails, your shipping package update, and many more.

Noteu

Noteu is one of the first customizable, hackable real-time displays that keeps youupdated in life, social media and business. Instead of needing to check multiple websites, apps or open any windows Noteu tells you what you need to know at a glance all in one place. With its easy to use Java application compatible on Windows, Mac and Linux you can choose amongst a wide range of updates and alerts with huge customization. Noteu being Open Source, based on the Ardunio platform, interfaceable with Java API’s and a simple serial protocol allows for infinite hacking.

Solar microinverter

Posted on August 23, 2014 by R-B Leave a comment

This application note describes a DC-to-AC converter design, specifically targeted at converting highly variable energy from a solar panel into a form that can be directly connected to the power grid. This emphasizes on the control design and how PSoC 5LP is employed for a particular power topology.

Microinverter for solar power

Self-organizing Kilobots

Posted on August 20, 2014 by R-B Leave a comment

The Self-organizing Systems Research Group at Harvard has created a “thousand robot swarm“, named Kilobots, which can self-arrange themselves into shapes and patterns. Each robot in the group moves uses two vibrating motors to move and an infrared TX/RX pair to communicate with its neighbors and to measure their proximity. The Kilobot robot software and hardware design are available open-source for non-commercial use.

A thousand robot swarm

Watch this video to see the robots in action.

Handsfree video recording goggles

Posted on August 20, 2014 by R-B Leave a comment

Hans de Bruin’s DIY handsfree goggles allows you to record HD video of what you are seeing while having both hands free. He is using big safety goggles as the framework. He has removed the glasses and 3D printed an adapter that fits into the goggles frame and holds a video camera. He also uses a biconvex optical lens between his eye and the camera to enlarge the view of the LCD screen so that he could have a better view of what he is filming.

Handsfree video recording goggles

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