Technabob » instructable

The 75-Dollar X-Wing Soapbox Derby Car: The Force Is Strong in This One

Range — Wed, 25 May 2011 13:07:59 +0000

When I saw this amazing X-Wing soapbox derby car, I was really surprised that it can be made for around 75 bucks. You’d expect something like this to cost at least $100. Then again, when we were younger, we didn’t have detailed instructions via Instructables to help us out.

This X-Wing was made by The Papier Boy and it looks amazing. He built the X-Wing for the 2011 Nazareth Adult Soapbox Derby, and it’s definitely one of a kind. It’s even got an R2-D2 that can spin with the help of a re-wired NES controller. When the NES controller’s A and B buttons are pressed together, the Styrofoam R2-D2 rotates for 15 seconds. It won’t win him the race, but it sure is cool.

Sound effects are provided thanks to an iPod that cranks out authentic R2-D2 chirps and bleeps. I imagine the iPod wasn’t included in the $75 price tag. The only thing The Papier Boy couldn’t include were full-width X-wings, as that wouldn’t have been very aerodynamic rolling down a hill.

[Instructables via DVice]

Belvedere the Bulterbot: Indentured Robotic Servitude

Range — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:03:34 +0000

Couldn’t you use a robotic butler? I know that I sure could. This goofy home-made Butlerbot was created for the 1st birthday of its creator’s son, Ethan. That all sounds like the setup for some sort of science fiction film that goes horribly wrong when the robot assumes the personality of Ethan and becomes convinced its creator is its “father.” Thankfully, that’s not what actually happens here – at least not yet.

Belvedere’s primary purpose is to serve drinks and entertain guests. He’s based on the iRobot Create platform, which is perfect, because he’s smart enough to avoid obstacles. The Butlerbot tells pithy jokes, dance, and can drive itself to various pre-programmed locations in the house. He’s also got the ultimate fashion accessory – a spinning bow tie.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Apparently Belvidere also likes Sir Mix-A-Lot (a lot). Or big butts. We’re not sure.

You can make your own Butlerbot by following this Instructable!

[via Make:]

Bang Bang, My Zapper Shot You Down [Wii]

Alisha K. — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:35:23 +0000

Some people want games to be as sweet as sugar, with showers of fresh blossoms and lollipops instead of blood, and frolicking in place of combat. Those aren’t the people who made this custom Wii Zapper. No, these are the people who crave more realism in gaming… or at least comfortable shooting controls.

Creator THeOReos was having a lot of fun with shooting games with the Nintendo’s Wii’s motion-based gaming, but none of the commercial guns seemed to really nail the shooting experience (or the position of the A button). With no other option on the horizon, he took the plunge and built his own gun.

The WeeP 5 Advanced Zapper is the bastard child of a toy MP5 and a Wii remote, and THeOReos isn’t greedy with the design: he put a full how-to up at Instructables, so you too can build your own real fake gun.

I just wonder if he’s planning to find a place for Wii MotionPlus when the increased-accuracy add-on is released next spring.

[Instructables via NWF]