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tetris blocks fall on oscilloscope screen

Scopetris Oscilloscope Tetris

Here’s a cool hack which uses an old oscilloscope to play an accurate game of the arcade classic, Tetris.

Engineer Lars Pontoppidan created Scopetris using an AtMega32 micro-controller to drive the beam of an oscilloscope to mimic the game play of the classic Soviet puzzle game.

Lars had to create custom circuitry and programmed the beam to produce a similar…

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February 15th, 2008 comments (5) stumble it! digg it! author: technabob

filed under: hacks + mods retro video games

step into the audio spotlight

Holosonic Audio Spotlight

These ceiling mounted speakers from Holosonic Research precisely direct a beam of sound so it can only be heard if you’re standing directly inside the focused area they project.

Their square Audio Spotlight speakers easily mount in place of standard 2′ x 2′ ceiling tiles and project a perfectly focused tunnel of sound towards the people standing beneath them. Step…

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November 17th, 2007 comments (3) stumble it! digg it! author: technabob

filed under: interactive

playstation reincarnated as robot insect

Harold Ilano’s Mercury BEAM Robot

I’ve seen some interesting hackjobs in my day, but nothing quite like this. Builder Harold Ilano has built himself a little robotic insect from the remnants of an old Sony  Playstation console.

Harold’s Mercury BEAM Robot was scavenged from a variety of junk parts, but an old PlayStation console was the primary contributor, giving the ‘bot its two motors and…

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September 10th, 2007 comments (2) stumble it! digg it! author: technabob

filed under: hacks + mods robotics video games

led car flashlight shines brightly, only where you need it

Auto LED by Coast LED Lenser

This portable LED flashlight is the perfect source of illumination for reading maps or other documents in you car without disturbing the driver. The compact Auto LED provides a bright, sharp-edged beam, keeping light focused only on its intended target.

The light stores and charges conveniently in your 12-volt cigarette lighter socket, putting it to good use if you’re a…

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June 8th, 2007 comments stumble it! digg it! author: technabob

filed under: gadgets