Smoke Detector Robot Platform

In creating a mobile autonomous robot using the Arduino controller, the tricky part is usually setting up the chassis, gears, motors, and battery - AKA the "form factor". A lot of builders go to sources such as Sparkfun.com and purchase kits that have all of the above included. In avoiding the expense of doing so I found a way to create my own that turned out to be so simple, convenient, and inexpensive that I thought I should share it here. It's also much more satisfying to have 'done it yourself' from scraps, especially when it works.

Posted by Roy Wilkie on Jan 07, 2012.

Bicycle Kid Trailer to Cargo Trailer Conversion

By taking an ordinary child-carrying bicycle trailer and making certain modifications, you can re-construct it as a flatbed cargo trailer capable of taking up to 200 lbs. More photos and detailed instructions are to follow soon, but in the meantime here you can find a basic outline of the steps involved...

Posted by Roy Wilkie on Jan 08, 2012.

Investigating a High-Altitude Balloon Mission

A growing number of university students and hobbyists have recently launched high-altitude balloons with payloads, usually cameras, to altitudes as high as 40,000+ km. According to many definitions, these altitudes border on "outer space".

Some other students and myself at South Seattle Community College have re-started the schools Engineering Club, re-naming it the Makers Club in order to attract new students. One of the first projects we've discussed is such a balloon launch. Hopefully we will be able to have at least one successful launch ourselves, but there is a lot of work to do - starting with research.

Posted by Roy Wilkie on Feb 07, 2012.