Quadcopter – Enhanced Lost Model Alarm
Just 24 hours earlier I built my first Lost Model Alarm. Not being satisfied with good enough, I've built an enhanced version. Of course, you could just buy one, but where's the fun in that?! As mentioned in my original posting, I wanted the alarm to have multiple modes. First, I wanted to be able to have it triggered while the TX is on using one of the available aux controls. Second, I wanted it to…
Outdoor LED Light Controller – Enclosure and Mounting
Over the past 2 years, we have working on our back-yard landscaping project. We added a patio, stones, a deck etc. One of the remaining bits was to add LED's to accent the rocks and other areas at night. After completing my outdoor LED light controller and Andriod app, I found myself struggling to find a way to enclose all the components in something that would protect the controller and power supply from the…
Crius I2C GPS Nav Board – Programming via RS232 USB to Serial FTDI Board
I had an Adafruit UP501 GPS module laying around and wanted to get it working on my Quad. However, my serial connection is being used by a bluetooth module which left me with finding a way to get it working over I2C. I found the Crius I2C GPS module and this video which provides some great guidance on how to set things up. However, I was having trouble getting it programmed using the Sparkfun 232RL …
DIY Quadcopter Build (MultiWii / NanoWii / Qbrain)
If I didn't have enough hobbies I've just gotten myself into the world of quadcopters and flying. I've never flown before. My RC experience is limited to 4 wheels on the ground. Navigating with 2 sticks and learning the world of yaw, elevation, pitch and throttle has become my next challenge. I've wanted to learn how to fly for some time, so here we I'm not going to re-create the wheel as credit goes…
HC-06 Bluetooth Module – Getting this sucker into AT Command Mode
After spending nearly 3 hours scouring the Web trying to find a way to configure my HC-06 Bluetooth module. There are a lot of great tutorials out there. Many of them refer to setting the key pin HIGH, or a combination of LOW then HIGH while powering on the module. However, none of these approaches worked for the unit I have. Read on to see how it can be done. Oddly, I found the answer in…
Dicontinued – WiFi Bot Control & Arduino Bot (Eddie) – Android App to Control Robots
Wifi Bot Control is an Android app that allows you to remotely control a robot (or other device) via WiFi. You can also (optional) view a video stream from an IP camera mounted to the robot. WiFi Bot Control also provides up to 8 additional customizable command buttons that allow you to perform additional tasks on your robot / device. You could use these commands to initiate other activities such as enabling/disabling sensors, moving other servos /…
Glo Control – Android App & Arduino Controller
Glow Control is an Android app that couples to an Arduino-based controller over Bluetooth allowing for control of various tasks including Landscape / Patio LED lights. You can either schedule the zones to turn on / off within a time range, or use a light sensor to trigger them when it gets dark. It also offers up to 4 additional customizable buttons that allow you to add functionality. You could use it to control…
Easy and Cheap DIY LED RGB Garden Glowies
In a few weeks, we'll have a new patio. Like any new project I get into, I have to introduce a flavour of something DIY and electronic into the mix. Like most guys, I'm planning for sound. However, I'm also adding custom LED lighting to light up the armour stones, deck and pergola areas. As part of the patio job, we are also planning on having a variety of plants and shrubs around the patio.…
Dicontinued – BT Bot Control & IPCam Bot – Android App to control Arduino Robots
BT Bot Control is an Android application that allows you to remotely control a micro controller-based robot using Bluetooth ( Arduino). It also allows you to (optionally) view a video stream from an IPCamera mounted to your robot. This could be any type wireless IP camera or phone that has the ability to broadcast a video stream/images to the web. Example Foscam, Ai-Cam etc. If you are looking to control your robot over WiFi, check…
Remote Shutdown using a Foscam FI8918W
As a parent of 2 children and an obsession with cramming my hobbies in whenever I can, I decided to devise a means to remotely monitor my CNC (a ShapeOko) and also provide the ability for me to remotely shut it down if things go arwy during a milling session. I picked up a Foscam FI8918W IPCam at a 'car boot' sale (I love that name) when I was visting in England this past…