He took some telephone wires and wired them up to a Radio Shack 2.5mm plug. Then, he fed it through a hole that he made through the rubber strain relief of the Nunchuk and soldered it where the shoulder button connected to the main board. C aut0-adjusts and Z fires the shutter. None of the other controls do anything at this point, though it would have been cool if the joystick could be used for  zooming and focusing remotely.

I always like the idea of reusing tech that you might throw away or no longer use. What spare gadget do you have lying around, and what would you like to rebuild it into if you could?

[via Ubergizmo]

I know that a remote control snowplow would be a more appropriate device to have at this time of the year, but from the looks of it by the time you finish making your own Lawnba your lawn will need mowing. Case in point: the introductory video below is the first in a thirteen-part series. Part of the reason why there are so many videos is because Smith is very professional and thorough, but no doubt it’s also because this project is quite the undertaking.

If you’ve got the skills and the know how, head to Robert Smith’s website for the full parts list, schematics, codes and all other information that you need to build your own Lawnba.

[via Hack a Day]

Logic Consulting has released a simple way for non-hackers to try this thanks to their Drone Station app for Mac. Simply install the app, connect a joystick, and you can control your AR.Drone from your laptop or desktop Mac. It works with a wide variety of game controllers including those from the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii too.

The higher signal strength of the Wi-Fi from a computer versus the one from an iPhone allows the pilot to control the drone over greater distances. There’s app also provides supplemental info on screen, such as altitude, attitude, direction, and battery gauges.

If you have a Parrot AR.drone, you can get the Drone Station app here for $9.99(USD). I guess if you already spent $300 on the drone, this app will be worth it.

[via Ubergizmo]

The app allows you to remotely snap stills and videos, and also lets you adjust the settings, such as white balance, focus, and camera angle. Photos can be immediately uploaded and shared from inside the app.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The camera comes with a built-in kickstand and a standard horseshoe mount for tripods. There’s also suction cup and magnetic mounts which allow it to stick to a variety of surfaces.

The camera itself doesn’t have a screen of its own, and is designed solely for remote use. The camera can also become an ad-hoc surveillance camera.

There’s no word yet on when you’ll be able to purchase the MMI camera, but Leviteh does have a Flash demo of the App up on his website if you’d like to check it out.

[via designboom]

The Imperial Crawler was created by Christopher Aleria, using a customized Axial Rock Crawler as its base. If only the Empire had thought to build these instead of the wobbly-legged Imperial Walkers, they probably would have won the Battle of Hoth much quicker. Though if they made any AT-STs using similar specs, they might have turned out looking like Imperial Segways.

[via Hobby Media (IT)]

The truck comes in black or red colors and looks like a mini big rig. It uses a free app and a RF transmitter that connects to the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch charge and sync port. That RF transmitter turns the angle that you hold the iOS device into signals to control direction of the truck.

The app also offers a touch control mode as well. The truck has some preset things you can make it do from the app like zigzag, spin, or dance. Dexim says you can play with the truck indoors or out. You can order one up now for $69.90 (USD) over at Dexim’s website.

Hitting the activate button will give you access to all of the regular functions. Otherwise, just lay your head down and relax. This combination device will put the power in your pillow for just $40 (USD). You can get it from Brookstone. Who needs to get up ever again?

[via Redferret]

Gemini-Scout’s main purpose is to gather information about the disaster, and report back. It can find structural weaknesses within the mine shafts, detect the presence of poisonous gases, explosive gases, and the likelihood of flooding.

It’s got an articulated suspension that makes it pretty nimble, and capable of handling even the most challenging terrain. It can climb 45-degree inclines and its diminuitive size will allow it to go places where people can’t. It’s operated remotely via a standard Xbox 360 controller, which makes it easy to control.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

[PopSci via Ubergizmo]

The BlueDrone Android app connects to the car using Bluetooth from the smartphone and has a wireless range of 30-feet. The app allows the driver to use on-screen controls for the car or the phone can be tilted to drive. The car itself is a Nissan GTR in 1:20 scale, and can pair with up to eight devices at once time. The car measures 8″ x 3.2″ x 2.75″ and weighs in at a bit over half a pound.

The BlueDrone project is seeking $200,000 to cover production costs to bring it to consumers, which is one of the largest amounts I have ever seen on Kickstarter, but your pledge of just $59 will get you one of the first BlueDrone R/C cars if they do hit the goal.

PossessedHand consists of a pair of wrist bands that deliver mild electrical stimuli directly into the muscles that control your fingers, which is something that is usually done by your own brain.

The project initially started as a learning tool for people who want to play string instruments, but it could also help stroke victims regain some control of their affected limbs.

I’m betting Sony will put this to some use as a fancy game controller, where the game controls you. While many people think that Microsoft Kinect will do just fine, Sony still needs to figure out their own unique slant on things.

[via PhysOrg via DVice]

A new service is coming for hotels that is called Residential Experience for Hotels. That is cool since if you use DirecTV at home you might remember where some of the channels you like are. The cool part isn’t the programming options though, but the special remote control that kills germs.

This is the first anti-microbial remote control to be offered by DirecTV. The remote the system will use was specifically designed for the lodging industry and has a special anti-microbial coating. Exactly how the anti-microbial coating works isn’t noted, but I would assume it has some sort of silver content like a lot of the anti-microbial products and peripherals on the market today.

A nice set of robotic balls would be pretty cool too, I think. These Sphero remote-controlled robotic balls that glow are perfect for all geeky guys. They are even good for the ladies too. That way your lady friend can have her own balls to play with so she won’t be tempted to take yours and crush them accidentally or play too rough with them and cause permanent damage. It pains me to even think of balls being mishandled. The Sphero balls will work with a cool golf app called Sphero Golf on both Android smartphones and the iPhone.

Sphero balls are controlled by Bluetooth via your smartphone. If you are the developer sort, you can use the API to make apps that will let you play with your balls in new and interesting ways. The Sphero balls are 2.9-inches in diameter and can roll all around in any direction. Rolling balls make me a bit nervous honestly; I always fear they will get stepped on.

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Sphero balls will be priced at $130 (USD) and you will get the Sphero ball, the Sphero golf app, and two other apps as well for the price. You will be able to get the remote controlled Sphero balls later this year, but you can pre-order some balls now so you know you will have balls in hand come the holiday season. Balls.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

[via Wired]

Inside WALL-E, you’ll find an Arduino and some servos as well. The case is pretty awesome, thanks to the details and the paint. The actual build process looks painfully complex, but the result was definitely worth the effort.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Thechoozen admits that his build isn’t complete yet, but all signs point to an incredible mod already. The fact that this WALL-E case can actually move around (and pack garbage into cubes?) is pretty cool as well, though Thechoozen probably won’t be able to surf the web while he moves about.

[Bit Tech via Make:]

The boat is nearly 8 feet long, has a three-cylinder, two-stroke 70 horsepower engine as well as a jet pump that will pull you along the water at up to 40mph.

The boat is unmanned but it’s got a remote with a bunch of buttons that will replace your friends (or servants). I’m guessing this should be quite hard to pilot, as you’ll have to think about the tow boat controls while you’re also trying to maintain your balance. Thanks to the rope, there is a delay before any change of course affects you, so at 40mph, it’s a recipe for disaster.

So what will this luxury cost? $17,000 over at Hammacher Schlemmer! Yep, so this is only for the rich and famous. It’s probably cheaper to rent a proper motorboat and pay for your buddies tow you around instead of spending this much on a tow boat.

[via Ubergizmo]

The ANDI-ONE can interact with devices via Wi-Fi, IR or RF. It also remembers the last 20 actions that you made, so you can quickly search the list and repeat them, although frankly I don’t know exactly how this works, or what it counts as an action. You can also set up macros and organize devices by room. Downloading channel guides is also an option.

But more than that, the Android 2.1 remote is also a portable media player. It can have up to 8GB of internal memory and supports microSD cards up to 64GB. You can watch videos on its 3.5″ touchscreen, connect a 3.5mm jack or just use its built-in speakers and play tracks on it, and you can even download and use over 10,000 Android apps. You can even make VOIP calls on it. And what about its charging cradle? In addition to having a couple of 3W speakers, an HDMI port and an Ethernet port, you can also dock an iPhone or iPad on it.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

I wonder why the remote in the video has a different layout than the one on Conspin’s website; must be a prototype or something. Anyway, now that you know what the ANDI-ONE is capable of, you’d be a fool to think that this remote is cheap. Its suggested retail price is $350 (USD), but Krex already has it listed at about $290. They’re out of stock right now though. If you’re looking to replace your your remote and your Android media player, keep an eye out for the ANDI-ONE.

[via Conspin & Talk Android via Gadgetell]

The front side of the Smart Qwerty has all your standard home theater and media controls for playback, device selection, changing channels and audio. But flip the remote over, and you’ll discover a 66-key QWERTY keyboard. There’s also a trackball mouse for speedy navigation. A built-in gyroscope figures out which side is currently facing up.

The Smart Qwerty’s front is a six-device IR universal remote, while the keyboard and trackball works with Google TV devices, gaming systems and HTPCs that support USB keyboards. Just plug the included RF dongle into your device, and you have a mini wireless keyboard. It’ll also work in IR mode if your device supports infrared keyboard remotes. There’s no word yet on where you can buy the Smart Qwerty yet, but it will retail for $129.99 (USD) when it eventually hits stores.

This crazy looking thing is a remote-controlled eagle, complete with a 9-1/2 foot wingspan and a carbon-fiber skeletal structure. The product description says it’s “powered by a gimbal-mounted engine and propeller that provides nimble, multi-directional vector movement which replicates the bird of prey’s agile turns and dives.” Last I checked, real eagles don’t have engines or propellers, so I’m not sure exactly how faithful its flight really is. Still, it looks pretty cool from this video clip:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

In addition to soaring, you should be able to pull off loops once you’ve mastered the controls. The R/C eagle can be operated from up to 100 feet away from the RF transmitter, and flight time is up to 8 minutes on a 20 minute charge.

It’s available over at Hammacher Schlemmer for a pricey $499.95 (USD), so even though the Bald Eagle is no longer on the endangered list, the cash in your wallet may soon be.

[Press Release]

It runs off a replaceable C-battery and acts as the interface between your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad and your home theater system. The iOS app shoots the commands to the Peel hardware over WiFi, and it then shoots it out to your components via infrared. The app portion allows you to change channels and run your DVR, and also can suggest shows based on what you like to watch.

You can set up macro activities with the app that allow you to change inputs and turn components on and off for TV and other things with one button. My Logitech Harmony One remote does that too and it’s an awesome feature. Once you choose your program with the Peel, you can control the DVR and volume using gestures on the iPhone. The Peel system is shipping right now for $99 (USD).

Despite the fact that Zenith had been working on actual wireless remotes since the 1950s, U.S. Patent 3962748 provided for a rudimentary device which allowed you to change the channel without getting your La-Z-Ass out of your La-Z-Boy. The pole had a special attachment on the end to simply let you rotate the channel knob from across the room. I’m surprised there wasn’t an attachment to fetch a beer from the fridge too.

[via Futility Closet via Boing Boing]

This robot is radio-controlled and it will get stair-climbing wheels or tracks and a rotating turret. Now that will be a nice surprise for your friends the next time you play.

Chris also wants his creation to be able to move the barrel up and down, giving it the ability to actually fire on people, not other robots.

The project is currently behind funded via Kickstarter, so if you want one, give bulder iChris Rogers some dough and when the project is funded, then you can get one for yourself. There are various tiers of contribution, with a donation of $2100 (USD) or more resulting in you getting your very own paintball robot kit and assembly plans.

[via The Awesomer]