Just like the garage computer explosion of the 70’s through the 80’s, which brought us such things as Apple, pong, Bill Gate’s hair, and the proliferation of personal computers, the maker movement is the new garage hardware explosion. Today, 135 million adults in the United States alone are involved in the maker movement.
Enthusiasts who want to build the products they want, from shortwave radios to personal computers, and to tweak products they’ve bought to make them even better, have long been a part of the electronics industry. By all measures, garage-style innovation remains alive and well today, as “makers” as they are called continue to turn out contemporary gadgets, including 3D printers, drones, and embedded electronics devices.
Making is about individual Do-It-Yourselfers being able to design and create with tools that were, as of a decade or two ago, only available to large, cash-rich corporations: CAD tools, CNC mills, 3D printers, low-quantity PCB manufacturing, open hardware such as Arduinos and similar inexpensive development boards – all items that have made it easier and relatively cheap to make whatever we imagine. For individuals, maker tools can change how someone views their home or their hobbies. The world is ours to make. Humans are genetically wired to be makers. The maker movement is simply the result of making powerful building and communication tools accessible to the masses. There are plenty of projects from makers that show good engineering: Take this Arduino board with tremendous potential, developed by a young maker, as example.
The maker movement is a catalyst to democratize entrepreneurship as these do-it-yourself electronics are proving to be hot sellers: In the past year, unit sales for 3D printing related products; Arduino units, parts and supplies; Raspberry Pi boards; drones and quadcopters; and robotics goods are all on a growth curve in terms of eBay sales. There are many Kickstarter maker projects going on. The Pebble E-Paper Watch raises $10 million. The LIFX smartphone-controlled LED bulb raises $1.3 million. What do these products have in common? They both secured funding through Kickstarter, a crowd-funding website that is changing the game for entrepreneurs. Both products were created by makers who seek to commercialize their inventions. These “startup makers” iterate on prototypes with high-end tools at professional makerspaces.
For companies to remain competitive, they need to embrace the maker movement or leave themselves open for disruption. Researchers found that 96 percent of business leaders believe new technologies have forever changed the rules of business by democratizing information and rewiring customer expectations. - You’ve got to figure out agile innovation. Maybe history is repeating itself as the types of products being sold reminded us of the computer tinkering that used to be happening in the 1970s to 1990s – similar in terms of demographics, tending to be young people, and low budget. Now the do-it-yourself category is deeply intertwined with the electronics industry. Open hardware is in the center in maker movement – we need open hardware designs! How can you publish your designs and still do business with it? Open source ecosystem markets behave differently and therefore require a very different playbook than traditional tech company: the differentiation is not in the technology you build; it is in the process and expertise that you slowly amass over an extended period of time.
By democratizing the product development process, helping these developments get to market, and transforming the way we educate the next generation of innovators, we will usher in the next industrial revolution. The world is ours to make. Earlier the PC created a new generation of software developers who could innovate in the digital world without the limitations of the physical world (virtually no marginal cost, software has become the great equalizer for innovation. Now advances in 3D printing and low-cost microcontrollers as well as the ubiquity of advanced sensors are enabling makers to bridge software with the physical world. Furthermore, the proliferation of wireless connectivity and cloud computing is helping makers contribute to the Internet of Things (IoT). We’re even beginning to see maker designs and devices entering those markets once thought to be off-limits, like medical.
Image source: The world is ours to make: The impact of the maker movement – EDN Magazine
In fact, many parents have engaged in the maker movement with their kids because they know that the education system is not adequately preparing their children for the 21st century. There is a strong movement to spread this DIY idea widely. The Maker Faire, which launched in the Bay Area in California in 2006, underlined the popularity of the movement by drawing a record 215,000 people combined in the Bay Area and New York events in 2014. There’s Maker Media, MakerCon, MakerShed, Make: magazine and 131 Maker Faire events that take place throughout the world. Now the founders of all these Makers want a way to connect what they refer to as the “maker movement” online. So Maker Media created a social network called MakerSpace, a Facebook-like social network that connects participants of Maker Faire in one online community. The new site will allow participants of the event to display their work online. There are many other similar sites that allow yout to present yout work fron Hackaday to your own blog. Today, 135 million adults in the United States alone are involved in the maker movement—although makers can be found everywhere in the world.
6,973 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/01/old-clock-transformed-into-mesmerizing-light-display/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/01/ir-camera-is-excellent-hacking-platform/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.io/project/191307-stoic-dashboard
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.io/project/189785-uno-plus
Tomi Engdahl says:
High Schoolers Build a Radio Receiver
Students learn to melt solder, layout PC boards, use tools, and troubleshoot by building an analog, discrete component receiver.
https://hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/01/flexible-actuator-flaps-for-100000000-cycles-without-failure/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ball-in-box simulator with REAL gravity
Turning the classic analog physics simulation into an interactive experience with an accelerometer and a handheld CRT display
https://hackaday.io/project/191329-ball-in-box-simulator-with-real-gravity
Tomi Engdahl says:
Modelling Neuronal Spike Codes
Using principles of sigma-delta modulation techniques to carry out the mathematical operations that are associated with a neuronal topology
https://hackaday.io/project/190891-modelling-neuronal-spike-codes
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/01/getting-a-close-up-view-of-chip-formation-with-an-sem/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://makezine.com/article/craft/music/accessibility-hacks-in-music-an-instrument-for-henar/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/02/what-makes-wedge-coils-better-than-round-for-pcb-motors/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/02/sma-connector-footprint-design-for-open-source-rf-projects/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/02/perovskite-sensor-array-emulates-human-retina-for-panchromatic-imaging/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/03/a-fresnel-lens-without-the-pain/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/03/zelda-guardian-sculpture-tracks-humans-and-pets-via-camera/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/03/bike-rides-played-back-via-aircraft-altitude-indicator/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/03/an-almost-invisible-desktop/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.io/project/184754-vending-machine-for-birds
Tomi Engdahl says:
The simplest 4-bit RISC CPU
https://hackaday.io/project/191290-the-simplest-4-bit-risc-cpu
In this project, I attempt to build a very simple 4 bit RISC CPU.
The goal was to design something like a RISC processor and computer.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.io/project/190879-the-grimoire-macropad
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/04/make-yourself-a-megamind-with-a-hypercentric-camera/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/04/a-real-world-experience-in-pcb-dye-sub-printing/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ventbot: warm side cool, cool side warm
A speculative DIY register booster project to even out the temps around my home.
https://hackaday.io/project/186808-ventbot-warm-side-cool-cool-side-warm
Tomi Engdahl says:
LOCKDOWN: An open-source Analog Lock-In Amplifier
https://hackaday.io/project/190799-lockdown-an-open-source-analog-lock-in-amplifier
An open-source Analog Lock-In Amplifier
LOCKDOWN: LOCK-In Device for Observing Weak and Noisy signals
LOCKDOWN is an open-source analog Lock-In Amplifier (LIA). A Lock-In Amplifier is an instrument that can measure very small signals even when they would be swamped by the noise.
What is a Lock-In Amplifier? A Lock-In Amplifier is an instrument that is capable of measuring extremely small signals even those below the noise floor!
How do they work?
Lock-In amplifiers use signal-processing tricks to simulate having an impossibly narrow filter to cut out the noise. Bandpass filters are described by how narrow they are as a function of their frequency. Q=(Center Frequency (in Hz))/(Band pass width (in Hz)). Generally, you can build practical filters with a Q factor of around 100 or so. But a Lock-In Amplifier can have a Q factor of 200,000 or more! 2 thousand times narrower! How can this be?
Well, Lock-In Amplifiers play a special trick! They shift the signal of interest down to DC, and it’s very easy to build narrow filters at DC; just keep averaging! In fact, the Q factor at DC is zero! You can average for as long as you like to get an infinitely narrow filter (i.e., average for 10 seconds to get a 0.1Hz filter, 100 seconds for a 0.01Hz filter, etc…).
But how do they do this? by using some trigonometry.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Home made laptop
Can a home made laptop finally cost less than a commercial one?
https://hackaday.io/project/179515-home-made-laptop
Tomi Engdahl says:
“High” Bandwidth – Current Sense Amplifier
https://hackaday.io/project/191413-high-bandwidth-current-sense-amplifier
Configurable gain and bandwidth current sense amplifier. DC to 1MHz/100kHz bandwidth, at 25x/50x gain.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Marblevator, Grippers.
https://hackaday.io/project/191406-marblevator-grippers
3D printed TPU grippers and magnetic nested rhombi joinery combine to create this “hardware handshake” Marblevator.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Microsculptures 3D Printed With Advanced Macromolecular “Inks”
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/05/microsculptures-3d-printed-with-advanced-macromolecular-inks/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/05/this-vending-machine-is-for-the-birds/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Op Amp Contest: Generate Spirograph Shapes Using Only Op Amps And Math
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/05/op-amp-contest-generate-spirograph-shapes-using-only-op-amps-and-math/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/05/the-printing-of-pi/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Linear Power Supply’s Current Limiter Is A Lesson In Simplicity
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/05/linear-power-supplys-current-limiter-is-a-lesson-in-simplicity/
This one is by [DiodeGoneWild], who you’ve really got to hand it to in terms of both the empirical effort he went through to optimize the circuit, as well as the quality of his explanation. The basic circuit is dead simple: a transformer, a full-wave rectifier, an LD1085 adjustable regulator — a low-dropout version of the venerable LM317 — and associated filter caps and trimmer pot to adjust the output between 2.2 and 5.5 volts.
Simple DIY power supply + thermal drift compensation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgktuQy5usQ
Tomi Engdahl says:
Motion Canvas Helps Get Your Point Across
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/05/motion-canvas-helps-get-your-point-across/
Generating videos for projects can be difficult. Not only do you have to create the thing, but you film the process and cut it together in a story that a viewer can follow. Explaining complex topics to the viewer often involves a whiteboard of some sort, but as we all know, it’s not always a perfect solution. [Jacob] was working on a video game and making videos to document the progress and built a tool called Motion Canvas to help visualize topics like custom shaders. A few months ago, he decided to release it as an open source project.
Introduction
https://motioncanvas.io/docs/
Motion Canvas consists of two main components:
A TypeScript library that uses generators to program animations.
An editor providing a real-time preview of said animations.
It’s a specialized tool designed to create informative vector animations and synchronize them with voice-overs. It’s not meant to be a replacement for traditional video editing software.
Motion Canvas is now Open Source!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5GETOP7ivs
https://github.com/motion-canvas/motion-canvas
Tomi Engdahl says:
YouTuber GreatScott! found that many cheap AliExpress devices could be improved with a simple $0.50 component.
https://www.hackster.io/news/improving-terrible-products-with-0-50-components-00d97756b24d
By adding the proper capacitors, which only cost around $0.50, Great Scott! was able to create cleaner power that helped the devices perform better.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/06/souped-up-reflective-sensor-uses-itself-for-wireless-programming/
The Remote-controlled Proximity Sensor
https://www.idogendel.com/en/archives/866
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/06/retropie-without-the-pi/
TV box to retro console | RetroPie on TV box
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9u-pe_GYpE
Tomi Engdahl says:
Open source espresso machine is one delicious rabbit hole inside another
The path to epic coffee winds past Arduinos, breadboards, and firmware flashing.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/03/great-espresso-isnt-hard-enough-so-heres-a-diy-open-source-machine-for-it/
Tomi Engdahl says:
BrailleRAP diy Braille embosser
An Open source Braille embosser in the spirit of RepRap
https://hackaday.io/project/191085-braillerap-diy-braille-embosser
Tomi Engdahl says:
A DIY Imaging Fluorometer
Is it possible to build a precise Fluorescence Imaging Device at home?
https://hackaday.io/project/174580-a-diy-imaging-fluorometer
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/11/a-peak-inside-a-747-fuel-gauge/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/12/a-modular-analogue-computer/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/12/spy-tech-unshredding-documents/
Tomi Engdahl says:
MorseMate
MorseMate is a small, pocketable Morse code walkie-talkie device designed for discrete communication
https://hackaday.io/project/191479-morsemate
Tomi Engdahl says:
Handheld Model Rocket Launcher with Igniter Test
Handheld model rocket launch controller which can determine if the leads are properly connected to the engine igniter, shorted, or open
https://hackaday.io/project/191499-handheld-model-rocket-launcher-with-igniter-test
Tomi Engdahl says:
High Voltage Ion Engines Take Trip On The High Seas
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/12/high-voltage-ion-engines-take-trip-on-the-high-seas/
Over the last several months, we’ve been enjoying a front-row seat as [Jay Bowles] of Plasma Channel has been developing and perfecting his design for a high voltage multi-stage ionic thruster. With each installment, the unit has become smaller, lighter, and more powerful. Which is important, as the ultimate goal is to power an RC aircraft with them.
There’s still plenty of work to be done before [Jay] will be able to take his creation skyward, but he’s making all the right moves. As a step towards his goal, he recently teamed up with [RcTestFlight] to attach a pair of his thrusters — which have again been further tweaked and refined since we last saw them — to a custom catamaran hull. The result is a futuristic craft that skims across the water with no moving parts and no noise…if you don’t count the occasional stray arc from the 40,000 volts screaming through its experimental thrusters, anyway
Building A Twin Ion Engine (TIE) Catamaran (ft. RcTestFlight)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RTGv-p-xxY
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/12/a-ride-on-picnic-table-for-those-idylic-summer-evenings/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.io/project/188878-snow-glider-for-suitcase-and-bag
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/07/harvesting-rechargeable-batteries-from-single-use-devices/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/07/op-amp-challenge-virtual-ball-in-a-box-responds-to-your-motions/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Moving The Snail Mail To WiFi
https://hackaday.com/2023/06/07/moving-the-snail-mail-to-wifi/