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Video Tutorials on Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi B+ V1 vs. Raspberry Pi 2 Model B V1.1   SparkFun Raspberry Pi Model B+   SparkFun Getting Started with Raspberry Pi Part 1: Introduction   SparkFun Getting Started with Raspberry Pi part 2: Wifi and Python and Twitter oh my!   SparkFun Getting Started with Raspberry Pi Part 3: Tweeting Weather Station   Raspberry Pi 3!  

Five reasons to teach robotics in schools

Technology is critical for innovation, yet schools struggle to get students interested in this area. Could teaching robotics change this?   The Queensland government has just announced plans to make teaching robotics compulsory in its new curriculum – aimed at students from prep through to year 10.   Robotics matches the new digital technologies curriculum, strongly supported by the university sector and states, including Victoria.   But while, worldwide, there are increasing initiatives such as the Robotics Academy in the US to teach robotics in schools, Australia isn’t doing enough to get it taught in schools.   To explain why…

Google SketchUp Video Tutorials: Getting Started

Getting started with SketchUp – Part 1   Getting started with SketchUp – Part 2   Getting started with SketchUp – Part 3   Getting started with SketchUp – Part 4   Getting started with Layout  – Part 5   SketchUp and CAD – Creating Walls – Part 6   Site Modeling in SketchUp – Part 7   SketchUp for Construction Documentation: Layout Floor Plans Template – Part 8  

CodeVisionAVR (CVAVR) and Proteus Simulation Software Video Tutorials

Blink an LED – CodeVision AVR and Proteus   Digital I/O – Codevision AVR and Proteus   Hardware Interrupts in Atmega 16 – Proteus and Codevision AVR   Interfacing 16 x 2 alphanumeric LCD with ATMEGA 16 – Proteus and Codevision   4×4 (Hex) Keypad Interface with ATMEGA16 – Proteus and Codevision   USART and serial interrupts of ATMEGA16 – Codevision and Proteus   Serial communication in Matlab With Proteus and Code Vision AVR using Interrupts   AVR Timer Interrupt – Proteus and Codevision AVR   DC Motor Speed Control Using PWM – Proteus and Codevision  

The Top Five Unexpected Benefits of Robotics in the Classroom

As teachers, we’re well aware that STEM education is essential in preparing students for today’s world of non-stop innovation. In my 13 years of teaching I’ve seen many curriculum fads come and go, but the use of robotics in the classroom has proven to be a consistent and surefire way to teach students the STEM skills needed to prepare them for the future job market. I’ve seen firsthand how it teaches students 21st-century skills including coding, engineering and the scientific method in a fun and engaging way. However, there are so many other incredible things that I’ve watched my students…

Free and Open Source alternatives for commercial softwares

Commercial Software Similar Opensource Download Link License Used where MATLAB Scilab Link CeCILL Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Electronics, Embedded systems, Chemical), Science (Physics, Mathematics) Mathematica Maxima Link GPL Mathematics, Engineering Cadence pSpice ngspice Link BSD Engineering (Electrical, Electronics, Embedded systems) Microsoft Office Open office Link LGPL All branches Microsoft Office LaTeX Link LPPL All branches Mathematica/Maple Sage Link GPL Precise arithmetic, algebra, symbolic computation Microsoft Windows GNU/Linux Link GPL All branches Turbo C GCC Link GPL Engineering (Introductory Computing – all branches) Pro/E BRL-CAD Link BSD Engineering (CAD) MASM NASM, FASM Link1, Link2 BSD, BSD Engineering (Electronics, Computer Science) MS…

Educational Robots Help Build STEM Skills

UBTECH Robotics has launched a new line of Jimu Robot kits designed to enhance the STEM skills and interest of kids ages 8-14. The Buzzbot and Muttbot Kit, Explorer Kit and Inventor Kit allow kids to build robots such as penguins, rhinos, elephants and humanoids. The programming is done with Blockly code in the companion Jimu Robot App.     There’s also an online Jimu community, UBTECH says, where kids can share their creations and check out what other users have created. There will be instructions on how to build, program and control Jimu Robots in both the online community…

20% of All Vacuums are Robots

From a sales standpoint, robot vacuums are the most successful consumer robot ever. Robot vacuums have certainly simplified, not quite eliminated, one of the most daunting household chores: cleaning. So the success makes sense.     But just how popular are robot vacuums? At TechCrunch Beijing, iRobot CEO Colin Angle said 20 percent of the world’s vacuum cleaners are robots. Of those that are robots, 70 percent are from iRobot, which has sold 14 million Roombas to date.   As Angle said, iRobot “has a long lead in terms of working on the problem, and because it’s focused on consumer…

Self-Driving Bicycle

The University of Washington Bothell is building a self-driving bicycle that can travel 30 MPH with a 15-mile range. The team claims the self-driving bicycle “could get riders from A to B faster than a self-driving car, and at a tenth of the cost.”     The self-driving bicycle is based on a stack of five Arduinos with no operating system. The open-source documentation and C/C++ code can be found on GitHub. The self-driving bicycle has object recognition that’s based on an array of sonar range finders. Here’s more from Folsom on how the self-driving bicycle sees its environment: “Localization…

Self-Driving Scooter Helps Mobility-impaired People Get Around

Researchers at MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and the National University of Singapore have developed a self-driving scooter that uses the same sensors and software that had been used in previous autonomous car and golf cart tests.     Here’s the idea. Self-driving cars can only transport a mobility-impaired person part of the way – from their home to a mall, let’s say. How would that person get around the mall? That’s where a self-driving scooter comes into play. The researchers say the self-driving scooter works just as well indoors as it does outdoors.   “We were…

ROBOTS CLASS

Building robots is fun, easy, and can be done by nearly anyone. My class guides you through four beginner projects, introducing new knowledge and skills along the way.   During the first half of the class you will build three simple bots which will familiarize you with the fundamentals of robot-building. Over the second half of the class you will build an advanced telepresence robot using a microcontroller and sensors.   I hope you will join me in the wild world of robotics. Enroll to get: 14 lessons accessible anytime, anywhere Learn by doing with hours of project focused instruction…

LEDS AND LIGHTING CLASS

There are many ways to produce light and dispel the darkness of night.   In this class, we will go over some of the most popular means of doing so. Covering methods as diverse as light bulbs, LEDs, LED strips, and EL wire, this class provides a crash course on the subject of electric lighting.   No prior experience of electronics is necessary to get started. However, if you do have some previous experience, this class also has optional sections for advanced students which briefly covers Arduino-control.   I hope you will join me and make things that shine above…

LASER CUTTING CLASS

The Laser Cutter is every maker’s dream tool. Whether you want to etch detailed graphics, cut intricate patterns, or fabricate complex 3D objects, this tool will make your life much easier. In this class, you’ll get started with a box-making web app, you’ll and then learn the basics of custom cutting and pattern etching with 2D graphics. Towards the end of the class,you’ll learn how to make CAD designs into 3D objects in Fusion 360– an awesome (and free) 3D modeling program. Whether you’ve got access to a laser cutter or not, this class will teach you everything you need…

RASPBERRY PI CLASS

In this class, you will learn how to work with the Raspberry Pi board. Throughout the class, you will learn basics such as how to program the RPi how to make music with it, how to take GIFs and more. You will do programming exercises and build simple circuits. This class culminates with a final project of a photo booth.   Enroll to get: 9 lessons accessible anytime, anywhere Learn by doing with hours of project focused instruction Complete material lists and downloadable project resources One-on-One help with your questions   Click here to Enroll

ELECTRONICS CLASS

While it may seem intimidating at first, learning electronics is fun and easy.   In the first three lessons I introduce new tools, skills and concepts. In the remainder of the class, a new electronic component is introduced in each lesson.   In addition to providing an overview of an important aspect of electronics, each lesson concludes with a project. This allows you to learn about basic electronics in a hands-on manner.   I hope you will take the time and come build a circuit with me.   Enroll to get: 11 lessons accessible anytime, anywhere Learn by doing with…

ARDUINO CLASS

This class will introduce you to the Arduino world. You’ll learn the basics, build your first project, and so much more. Each lesson builds on your skills, infusing new knowledge and techniques along the way.   You’ll start simple with exercises that demonstrate basic breadboard wiring and coding inputs and outputs. Then you’ll level up to soldering and coding addressable NeoPixel LED strip and build an infinity mirror to show off your new fun hobby.   This class will launch your Arduino journey and give you the skills and confidence to take on almost any Arduino project you may find…

Stereolithography (SLA) Technology

Stereolithography (SLA) models offer the most accurate type of fit/form prototype for the verification of any design before committing to your chosen production route. Its high accuracy and good surface finish makes it the preferred choice for designer models, engineering verification and master patterns for silicone rubber molds.   SLA is often considered the pioneer of the additive manufacturing processes,  with the first production systems introduced in 1988 and patented by 3D systems founder Charles (Chuck) W. Hull. The SLA process utilizes a vat of liquid photopolymer resin cured by ultraviolet laser to solidify the pattern layer by layer to create or…

Additive Manufacturing – Direct Metal Laser Sintering DMLS Technology

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) was developed jointly by Rapid Product Innovations (RPI) and EOS GmbH, starting in 1994, as the first commercial rapid prototyping method to produce metal parts in a single process. With DMLS, metal powder (20 micron diameter), free of binder or fluxing agent, is completely melted by the scanning of a high power laser beam to build the part with properties of the original material. Eliminating the polymer binder avoids the burn-off and infiltration steps, and produces a 95% dense steel part compared to roughly 70% density with Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). An additional benefit of…

SKYRC IMAX B6 Multifunction Charger : Overview and Basic Usage

IMAX B6 is the new intelligent multifunction charger which can charge and discharge for Lion, LiPo, LiFe (A123), Pb, NiCd and NiMH batteries. It’s all-powerful in a way.   Features: 1. Microprocessor controlled Delta-peak sensitivity. 2. Individual cell balancing Li-ion, LiPo and LiFe capable Ni-Cd and NiMH capable 3. Large range of charge currents Store function, allows safe storage current 4. Time limit function 5. Input voltage monitoring. (Protects car batteries at the field) 6. Data storage (Store up to 5 packs in memory) 7. Battery break in and cycling. 8. Support new generation A123 system (LiFe) battery   Specifications:…

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