Use the Force (Feedback) to Solder Small Things

Here’s a quick tip for people learning how to solder small components: don’t rely on your eyes. Instead, solder by touch: use the force-feedback available through your fingertips. Human fingers can reliably detect bumps on the order of microns in size – much finer than the resolution of sight, even with the assistance of a decent microscope.

I use my eyes to get the components “about there”, and then switch to using fingertips for feedback. Really focusing in and just relying on vision for alignment tends to increase hand-shake. At least for me, the neurological delay on the loop from eye-to-motor...

XIAO Smart IR Mate Review – A compact smart infrared remote control hub for Home Assistant

SeeedStudio sent us a tiny Smart IR Remote hub for review: XIAO Smart IR Mate, or XIAO IR Mate for short. At first glance, it looks like any other WiFi IR blasters, but what makes it interesting is that the device is built on an open architecture using the XIAO ESP32C3 module and runs on ESPHome, working natively with the Home Assistant open-source home automation platform. As usual, SeeedStudio gives access to the source code, so it’s super convenient if you want to tweak the functions yourself to fit various needs. For those who are new to Smart IR, it’s...

Jetway B420UADN1 Compact Box PC with Intel N97, DDR5, and Configurable Security

Jetway has unveiled the B420UADN1, a fanless compact box PC built around Intel’s Alder Lake-N platform. Designed for industrial and embedded use, the system combines silent operation with high-speed networking, modern display interfaces, and broad OS support. The system is equipped with the Intel Processor N97, a quad-core SoC with a 12 W TDP. It […]

BeagleBone Green Eco Receives Refresh with Gigabit Ethernet and 16GB eMMC

The Seeed Studio BeagleBone Green Eco, developed with the BeagleBoard.org Foundation, is an open-source single-board computer based on the AM3358 processor. According to the Seeed Studio announcement, this version adds expanded storage, upgraded networking, and a revised power management design compared to earlier models. The board is built around the Texas Instruments AM3358 processor, an […]

Sasu 28 – Crossing the boundaries between sign and matter, digital and analog

Born from an exploration of kinetic typography using linear objects, twenty-eight sewing needles appear and disappear through the black knit fabric visualizing the passage of time.

// FON_OS – Presence and Transformation

// FON_OS is a collaborative audiovisual performance and a research project by Fon Román and Oswaldo García that explores how heritage spaces can be reimagined as living instruments through the fusion of real-time sound improvisation and architectural (digital) twins.

CubeSats are fascinating learning tools for space

CubeSats are fascinating learning tools for space

These are CubeSats. Satellites that are going to space—or at least, the ones I have here are prototypes. But these have one thing in common: they're all powered by either a Raspberry Pi, or a microcontroller.

the two – Is it possible for robots to fall in love?

Two robotic arms with cameras, connected to computers running deep neural networks, are trained to recognize and track each other as they move independently.

Самодельные светильники из цветного стекла. Часть 1. Светильник-ящик

Декоративно-прикладное искусство (ДПИ) с применением цветного стекла, это в первую очередь — витражи. В исходном виде поселить их в своём жилище в окна-двери-потолки не так просто, художественное же стекло, восхитительно выглядит на просвет, демонстрируя своё главное качество — прозрачность. Простые плоские светильники — этакие витрины с подсветкой, позволяют витражам не хлопотно подружиться с обстановкой, такой их вариант легко установить, заменить, подарить или продать. Плоский витраж с подсветкой ненамного отличим от витражного окна, и работает в любое время суток. Технология изготовления витража — плафона для такого светильника, не отличается от обычной, всё остальное тоже несложно, хотя повозиться придётся.

WiFIRCard – A credit card-sized WiFi and IR-controlled dual relay board (Crowdfunding)

WiFIRCard is a credit card-sized ESP32-S3 board designed for home automation with two relays and a few GPIOs (headers and screw terminals) that can be controlled over WiFi 4 or an IR (infrared) remote control. The board also features a microSD card slot for data logging or other storage uses, a buzzer for audio feedback, a USB-C port for power and programming, and a few buttons and LEDs. WiFiRCard specifications: Wireless module – ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 with Xtensa® LX7 dual-core 32-bit SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3 CPU – Dual-core Tensilica LX7 up to 240 MHz with vector extension for AI/ML workloads RAM...