I was at my job talking to my coworker about the Arduino Kit I had purchased and a thought popped into my mind. You should share this experience and blog about the projects you have done. We are currently facing a world wide crisis that has tested the minds ability to create. We can take advantage of this crisis by focusing on creative projects. Getting the mind off of current events will be beneficial to the mind, body and soul. These projects I have personally done. They have tested my limits and have taught me the value of tediousness.
Let me start out by sharing with you how I came across these projects. Approximately 5 years ago, I came across a number of youtube videos that caught my imagination. These youtube videos opened opened my minds eye to possibilities that were seen only in movies. I will be sharing with you my 5 top projects so get the popcorn ready and clear your calendar for next couple of weeks. If you have a family, I would highly suggest making these projects family projects.
Ardunio
One of the first youtube videos I came across was about microcontrollers specifically an Arduino. Up till that point, I have never heard of a microcontroller let alone one called an Arduino. So what is an Arduino? According to their website, “Arduino is an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. Arduino boards are able to read inputs - light on a sensor, a finger on a button, or a Twitter message - and turn it into an output - activating a motor, turning on an LED, publishing something online. You can tell your board what to do by sending a set of instructions to the microcontroller on the board. To do so you use the Arduino programming language (based on Wiring), and the Arduino Software (IDE), based on Processing.” If you would like to learn more, check out this link What is an Ardunio?
Since this is an open source electronics platform there are a number of Arduino clone kits that you can choose from. To get you started, I am recommending this Funduino starter kit which I purchased. This kit comes with a bunch of goodies like LED lights, a motor and RFID card just to name a few. All of these goodies will work once lines of codes are uploaded. You do not have to be a coding genius to get started just a couple of hours of research. Hey, if I would have been introduced to coding back in the 80’s let’s just say I would have had well over 30 years of coding experience. Dont worry, we are in the age of information where google will give results on Arduino project based codes. That is how I learned and so will you.
My favorite project from this kit involves a sensor, funduino board, cables, and a breadboard. The project is called Measurement of distance. I had ran into errors while compiling the code but a quick search on google resulted in me measuring basically the entire room. It was fun! The only suggestion I would make to you is to convert the formulas into feet and inches. Another project that you can do by adding micro servo is a sonar. By connecting the MicroServo to the sensor allows left and right movements. Pinging everything in its way. What projects would you start out with? Please let me know in the comment section below.
Raspberry Pi
As of this writing the Raspberry Pi is up to its 4th generation. This mini computer the size of a credit card has been around since 2012. I remember the first time I was introduced to the Raspberry Pi by a youtube video talking about how the price of a magazine got them a Raspberry Pi zero. Smart marketing tactic if you ask me. This cool looking mini computer fits right in the palm of your hand. I purchased this a raspberry pi zero w kit from vilros. I recommend clicking on the link to get yours today. The current generation includes bluetooth and wifi capabilities. It is a size of a stick of chewing gum. I can just keep on writing about the many cool internet of things one can crete To start you off here is the kit I got. I tell your I was very happy when I got Zero working. I had uploaded the raspsidian operating system and well I squeaked like a little child. I was able to play a game and watched a youtube video. It is slow so patience is a must.
Now let’s talk about its big brother the Rasberry Pi 4. The mini computer is the size of the a credit card and is powerful. You can actually use this Pi as a computer. Browse the internet or catch a quick netflix. The sky is the limit when it comes to the Pi. You can pare this with an ardunio and create a super project! Maybe even s robot with artificial Intelligence. The only limit is your imagination. Picture you getting instant information right as soon as you enter your room, apt or house. Jarvis voice greets you “Evening Sir, you have one new email message from sprint. The new york yankees are currently playing against the boston redsox and I am sorry to say are loosing. Your mother has called you twice and left a message. She doesn’t sound happy sir shall I call her?
Another project that you can do is create a portable media center. Quick and easy to set up. Download all of your videos, photos and songs. Even play retro games while on those long business trips. You can even convert your Raspberry Pi into a VPN. What Pi projects would you create? Please let me know in the comment section below.
Interactive Display
This by far is my favorite youtube video project. I was literally foaming at the mouth watching a person controling their computer via the wall. This project isn’t difficult, just requires time. You will need a project, a kinect, this software and your laptop or computer. Turn any surface into an access point for your web browsing.
One of the other capabilities is for a store window. If you are a business owner of a store front, you can create your very own interactive store window. People would be amazed at this a well more customers. Please let me know your thoughts and experiences diwn below in the comment section. This would greatly help others.
Interactive Desk
I had to include this youtube video on the list because an interactive desk is a must do project. Think of this as another way of interacting with the web while drinking your coffee, checking your emails and watching a youtube clip.
Build your own computer
This by far was my favorite project. I learned a great deal about motherboards, microprocessors and RAM just to name a few. With the amount of money being spent on a personal computer, you can build your very own and fool proof it for years to come with upgrades. This is the best value one can get in my opinion.
Why get a computer that you eventually have to get rid of when building your own last you for at least 7 years without any upgrades. Here is my build list:
2. AMD AD740KYBJABOX A6-7400K Dual-Core 3.5 GHz Socket FM2+ Desktop Processor Radeon R5 Series
3. Western Digital 1TB WD Blue PC Hard Drive
4. Kingston HyperX FURY 8GB 1866MHz
5. Lite-On 24X SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive Optical Drive
6. EVGA 500W 80PLUS Certified ATX12V/EPS12V Power Supply
For the operating system, I used Ubuntu linux mint. I forgone the cost of windows operating system and used the cost savings on 8gb RAM. While researching AMD Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), getting at least of 8 gbs of RAM ensures the greatest usages of the graphics processing unit (GPU) while freeing up your CPU. Which is great because because Chrome and tabs open eat up a lot of CPU. To get yourself started, click on the above links to get your computer components today! I ordered through amazon so your components would come in a minimum of two days.
To conclude, this list of projects is perfect for the understanding of tomorrows breakthroughs in technology. As I stated previously, next phase for humans to evolve is in space. By introducing microcontrollers, mini computers and interactive outlets will allow for creative ideas to emerge. These ideas can be implanted into the upcoming generations minds. Allowing these minds to be set free in getting us to “Where no man has gone before”.