Driving a Car with an iPhone - Episode 3

It's finally here!

In part 1 of this episode, we give a overview of how we turned an Oldsmobile Delta '88 into a remote control car in just 4 weeks. We built our control systems using a few motors, potentiometers, a Compact RIO embedded controller, and LabVIEW. We then set up wi-fi communication so we can drive the car from an iPhone as well as from a modified Power Wheels truck.



For detailed plans, parts lists and code available for download, check out our website at EngineerAwesome.com. Also, check out part 2 of the video for a more in depth how-to on this project, including more awesome footage.

Laptop + Power Wheels = WIN!

We have successfully created our own feedback sensors for a frankensteinesque Power Wheels (whom we have affectionately named Hank). Hank's parts have been fashioned out of everything from spare bike gears and PVC to telephone wire and PCI slot covers and a whole lotta JB Weld (if it can save $3000 in tractor repairs then it's good enough for Hank!)

Anywho, here's a short video showing off Hank and the program we wrote to get our data on his steering and speed. Stay tuned to see where we go from here (Hint: Note that we're filming next to Wendy).

FPS with Real Guns - Episode 02

Here's the second episode from Waterloo Labs. This time we are playing Half-Life (well, the flash version at least), with a real gun. Using accelerometers and LabVIEW, we can triangulate the position of where a bullet hits a piece of drywall and use that location to generate a mouse click in the game, which has been projected onto the wall.

UPDATE (8/12): If you have other crazy project ideas, comment on our newest blog post with your ideas!

UPDATE: Here is the code to complete the demo yourself.

UPDATE (14:49): Here is the system overview, parts list, and explanation of the math behind this.

Building the DIY Fireworks Demo

Last week we showed you a great demo that set off fireworks to music. This week, we show you how to wire up the project.



Note that the microphone is a three-wire mic. This means that you must power it by plugging it into an analog output and setting that voltage out to an appropriate level for the mic you have. The other two wires are wired into the positive and negative terminals of an analog input channel so that they can send data back to the 6009 device.

The digital out line that we used is port 0 line 0, but you can use any of the digital I/O lines for the current output.

Episode 01 - Computer Controlled Fireworks!

Here's our first episode of WaterlooLabs:



This blog post will be updated later today to include a technical writeup of how we did all of this and a circuit diagram so you can wire it up at home!

UPDATE: (15:00 CST)

In case any of ya'll are wondering how we did this here is a brief writeup detailing our methods (and probably our madness). Post comments or video responses if you have any questions about our implementation!

INTRODUCTION
The goal of this project was to create a fireworks show automatically synchronized to a song using beat detection analysis and simple, low cost data acquisition hardware.

SYSTEM OVERVIEW
A song is imported into software for analysis; a Fourier Transform is then used to compare the power of a selectable frequency band to the average power in that band to detect a beat. When a beat is detected, a digital high is sent out through a USB-DAQ device. This device is wired as the base of a Darlington Pair Transistor that will switch on a high current power supply connected to the firework triggering method.

HARDWARE/SOFTWARE USED

• National Instruments USB-6009 (USB Data Acquisition Device)
  
• TIP120 Darlington Pair Transistor
• 24 Volt DC , 1 Amp power supply
• LabVIEW with Sound and Vibration Toolkit
• Electronic Match (Build your Own)
  
• C6-0 Estes Model Rocket Engine
• Omni-directional Spark Charge (must have pro License)
  
• Kerosene Charge (must have Pro License)
• Windows XP Computer
  

BEAT DETECTION METHOD
A Fourier Transform is taken of the song so the varying powers of the different frequencies can be observed. A certain frequency band is then isolated (such as the bass of the song to watch for kickdrum beats) and the power of that frequency band is measured. A running average of the past X number of power measurements is calculated and compared to the current power. If the current power of the band rises above the running average this is defined as a beat. The software we used is available here, and you can get LabVIEW and the Sound and Vibration Toolkit evals to run it.

HARDWARE FIRING METHOD
A USB-DAQ device is wired to the Base of a Darlington Pair Transistor. When a digital high signal is sent from the DAQ device the transistor will switch, allowing a power supply to flow through the igniter. The igniter is comprised of a low resistance, low power resistor coated with pyrotechnic material. When the current from the power supply flows through the igniter’s resistor it overheats and ignites the pyrotechnic material, lighting the firework it is embedded in.

SCHEMATIC

Sound Triggered Fireworks Proof of Concept

Check out this preview of our first project, which is coming out next week. This is a simple test setup of what will become a full blown display of patriotic glory. In this video, we are triggering a single Roman candle to shoot off by clapping.

This Season on WaterlooLabs

Well, we've done it. The trailer for our first season is up, and you really ought to take a look:



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