Robot vacuum cleaners are so advanced these days that some of them barely need human intervention. Of course, that wasn’t always the case in the earliest days of this market segment, with the first generations relying on some very basic technologies and software by today’s standards. Although its name has become synonymous with robot vacs, the Roomba has almost all but faded into that background.

Some, however, have found some rather creative uses for older models, with a bit of hacking and ingenuity. Giving a very old rolling robot a better brain and literally space-grade software, this mod turns a cleaning machine into a mess-making one, albeit not by intention. Instead of picking up dirt or even clothes, the “Space Vacuum” will instead drop pieces of food for your canine companion to munch on when it’s near.

Designer: Joaquim Silveira

Most of us probably have a file of unused and abandoned electronics that are still a bit functional except for one broken or missing part. We don’t have much practical use for them, so they just end up gathering dust and taking up space, sometimes forgotten until the next Spring cleaning. A few people, however, have the fortunate skill to bring these machines back to life, though sometimes with a different function so different from the original.

This Roomba, for example, once cleaned up dirty floors in a previous lifetime. But with some clever use of off-the-shelf hardware like an Arduino and some skilled DIY electronics, it has been given a new lease on life as a dog food dispenser. Ironically, it now does the opposite of cleaning the floor and instead makes a mess, presuming the canine doesn’t gobble up the treats first.

What the Space Vacuum basically does is detect the presence of a dog, while differentiating it from other living critters in the house, and drops dog food from a paper cup that has its bottom partially cut out. Curiously enough, the software used for this project is NASA Jet Propulsion Labs’s (JPL) Fprime flight software used for space missions and controlling drones, which sounds a bit overkill for a food-dispensing robot. That, however, gives it the right to call itself a “Space Vacuum,” though the vacuum part is in question.

It’s definitely not going to win any awards for aesthetics or practicality, but the project does spark curiosity and maybe inspire a few more experiments using these house robots. The rather odd clothes-picking Roborock vacuum at CES 2025 demonstrated what these machines are actually capable of, especially with their advanced sensors and AI-powered brains. All they need is a robot arm or a proper food dispenser, and they have the makings of a general-purpose robot that won’t take up too much floor space.

The post Modified Roomba becomes a smart robot for dispensing doggie treats first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple has always been hailed as a trailblazer, breaking new ground in product design and services. Sometimes, however, some of the ideas it generates never materialize, especially if they seem too far ahead of their time. That dream may become a common thing decades later, as proven by one of Apple’s genre-defining products: the iPad.

Although it may seem that it was patterned after the tablet PCs of its time, the Apple iPad actually had an older pedigree, one that never saw the light of day. Thanks to modern technologies like 3D printing and accessible electronics, it is now possible to give those ideas flesh, so to speak, making us wonder what could have been if this portable Macintosh actually made it to market.

Designer: Kevin Noki (original Hartmut Esslingers)

The so-called “FlatMac” was envisioned by industrial designer Hartmut Esslingers back in the 80s as part of his portfolio that gave birth to the Apple IIc, Macintosh SE, and even Steve Jobs’ NeXT Cube. This was a time when tablet computers were basically unheard of outside of science fiction, and computers that could fit in a briefcase were a luxury very few could afford. While the FlatMac’s design is definitely archaic by today’s standards, it’s also the perfect target for a nostalgic reimagining.

Thanks to the ubiquity of 3D printers and 3D printing services, designing and making the distinctive shell of this portable computer turned out to be the easiest part of the project. The video, however, shows just how much we’ve romanticized the process by skipping important but painstaking laborious parts like sanding 3D-printed pieces down repeatedly. There’s definitely a considerable amount of manual labor involved, and that’s not yet getting to the electronics.

The bulk of the work for this real-life implementation of the FlatMac concept involves designing the custom-made keyboard, retrofitting hubs and power banks to fit the design, and even soldering new parts together. Fortunately, most of the parts can be bought off the shelf, but that doesn’t make the work easier. Ironically or perhaps fittingly, the display for this iPad predecessor was actually taken from a broken iPad. Even more ironic, the heart and brains of this contraption is also named after a fruit: the Raspberry Pi.

The end result is a truly impressive product that demonstrates not only the capabilities of modern technologies but also the vision of Esslingers’ original design. This FlatMac implementation even uses an actual floppy disk drive that can be used to install an old Macintosh OS via an emulator. It does support one modern feature that was never available in the 80s: a stylus like the Apple Pencil. It would have been a designer’s dream machine back then, though we can only judge that now thanks to hindsight.

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It’s pretty amazing how much computing power can be crammed into a small space these days. After all, our smartphones are very capable computers themselves, but we also have handheld gaming PCs and single-board computers or SBCs that are no larger than (very thick) credit cards. The latter, popularized by the super-affordable Raspberry Pi, blasted wide open the doors to creative projects and gadgets, from mirrors that act as your smart home console to fictional cyberdeck computers brought to life. This latest design is one of the latter, offering a handheld computer with modern features and an aesthetic that seems to come from an alternate 80s timeline.

Designer: soulscircuit

Despite its size, the Raspberry Pi is a complete computer, one that can run desktop operating systems, including a trimmed-down version of Windows. With just the right peripherals, it can be used as a normal computer, and some have even turned the SBC into a laptop or even a desktop, complete with liquid cooling. These, however, don’t take full advantage of the Raspberry Pi’s small and portable size, a form that’s perfect for a handheld computer.

The Pilet 5 handheld console adds those essential missing parts to the barebones computer, turning it into a finished product that is usable the moment you turn it on. This form takes the shape of a rather chunky box with a 5-inch screen at the top and a QWERTY keyboard on the bottom half. This isn’t the first BlackBerry-like design powered by a Raspberry Pi and it definitely won’t be the last, but there are a few details that makes this project a bit interesting.

In addition to the keyboard, Pilet 5 has a four-direction D-pad as well as a tiny trackball on the right side of the device, while the opposite side has a joystick and a scroll wheel. These would definitely be more than enough to move the mouse, if the touchscreen still wasn’t enough, and they open up more use cases, like gaming for example. The aesthetic of the design is also less grungy and raw, unlike typical cyberpunk-inspired “cyberdecks.” The beige motif, gray buttons, and minimal colors give it a vibe similar to the consoles and computers from the late 80s and early 90s.

Just like the Pilet 7, formerly known as Consolo, the more compact Pilet 5 still promises a 7-hour battery life thanks to dual 8,000mAh batteries, just in a smaller and more complete form. That said, it does lose out on the appeal of a modular design that can adapt to almost any use case, which is what the Pilet 7 will bring to the table once it’s actually out.

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Of the many creative endeavors, music is probably one of the hardest to learn and practice. And of the well-known musical instruments, the violin is one of the hardest to play. But what if you can play the violin or some semblance of the instrument as easily as you could press down keys on a piano? And what if that produced the unique tonal quality of a violin while still hitting all the right notes perfectly? That’s the kind of musical experience that this DIY synthesizer offers, combining two classical instruments in a single form that might leave you confused with one hand playing the keyboard and the other playing the violin.

Designer: Washiyama Giken

Electronic keyboards can try to mimic the sounds of different musical instruments, but they don’t always work. They can’t, for example, reproduce the unique vibrating quality of the violin family, which at the very least would require some physical medium to produce that kind of sound. Conversely, violins are hard to master because you need to also move the bow at a very precise location to hit the right pitch, and that location isn’t marked like on a guitar.

Key-bowed, which is a very creative name, tries to combine the strengths of both the keyboard and the violin with very few of the flaws. It’s actually an idea decades in the making, but it’s finally possible to pull it off thanks to modern technologies and hardware. The synthesizer combines a Roland K-25m keyboard, an Arduino Uno R4 minima controller, and a self-made bowing sensor with a vertical acrylic plate. Of course, the assembly also requires some programming know-how, especially when dealing with sound waves.

Despite the complexity of the build, using the Key-bowed looks pretty simple, at least for the musically inclined. You simply hit the keys with one hand to produce music like on a regular keyboard or piano, and then you use the other hand to move the bow across the acrylic plate as you would with a violin. The vibrations on the plate are detected by the sensor and then transformed into waves that modify the note that’s produced, resulting in a very realistic recreation of a violin sound, with perfect pitch, and without the screeches. You can even pluck the plate and make it sound like you’re really plucking a string.

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Key-bowed is definitely a work of genius that makes playing music both fun and enchanting. It still requires you to have some basic music knowledge, of course, but it makes the execution less daunting, especially if you’ve always dreamed of playing the violin. Of course, there are limits to the music you can play, since you’re technically producing notes with only one hand, and the design is made for those who hold the violin bow with their right hand. Nonetheless, it still creates a captivating experience, and hopefully, it can become a commercial product that will let everyone enjoy that experience as well.

The post Key-bowed hybrid violin and keyboard synthesizer produces pure musical joy first appeared on Yanko Design.

Creating extreme stuff from junk is a special skill that YouTube channel ‘Make It Extreme’ possesses. Their Monotrack bike made from a single recycled car tire was something of a shocker and they’ve upped the ante with another custom build. Called the Electric Monowheel this is a Herculine version that positions the rider inside the wheel.

The obvious challenge in making this big wheel was actually creating a perfectly round wheel measuring 9.1 inches in diameter. Due to the large shape, the metallic wheel acts as a base for the rubber tires salvaged out of a motorcycle and go-kart. These three recycled tires are connected to make the final giant wheel.

Designer: Make It Extreme

The chassis of this unique ride is the centric circle that stays stable even when the outside wheel is in motion. The trick here is to attach three rollers and a plastic encasing on which the wheel spins. To put it simply, just take for reference a hamster wheel. The power for this monowheel is derived from a go-kart’s electric motors attached to the tire. This explains the use of go-kart tires that are non-slip and provide transmission to the wheels without any wheel spin. The steering input is translated instantly to the movement of the wheel and so is the throttle input via the two controllers.

The current build has a better torque of the electromotion that is attributed to the faster-reacting motor. This is a major improvement over the earlier version. According to the makers, the vehicle feels very amazing to drive even though it is a bit dangerous if you don’t know how to handle it. There’s some good news for DIYers who are interested in this project as Make It Extreme is in the process of preparing the detailed plans of the monowheel motorcycle. That means you’ll have all the groundwork served on the platter for you to build on.

The post This electric monowheel is surprisingly easy to maneuver and packs a good amount of torque first appeared on Yanko Design.

The devices and gear we own today are vastly different from the ones our grandparents owned. Back in the day, products could be pulled apart, tinkered with, and repaired without much of a fuss. Radios lasted decades, toasters from that era still work today, but the devices of today are a little too complicated to repair or tinker with. In fact, the companies that make these devices don’t even want you looking under the hood – try tinkering with a Tesla car and the company can remotely disable your entire vehicle for tampering. Mess with an Apple phone and its warranty gets voided. If you bought a Spotify Car Thing, regardless of your efforts, the company is planning on bricking the device globally at the end of this year.

The reality is that we aren’t intimately familiar with the stuff we own today, and it’s time we changed that. The folks at Rotate Watches believe the only way to change this is to make tinkering more accessible. This beginner-friendly 50+ piece kit lets you build your own working, automatic watch movement from scratch. Modeled on the Seiko NH36, this kit has everything you need to be an amateur horologist. A guide helps take you through the various processes, and at the end, not only do you have a working watch that you can keep on your table to tell the date and time, but you also inherit an innate understanding of how timepieces work… and that’s just priceless, isn’t it?!

Designer: Rotate Watches

The Seiko NH36 is a popular and reliable automatic movement known for its accuracy and durability. With a diameter of 29.36mm and a height of 5.32mm, it’s a compact powerhouse featuring 24 jewels for reduced friction and a smooth operation. This kit includes the movement itself, along with a set of specialized tools to handle the delicate watch parts. Screwdrivers, tweezers, finger cots, and pliers are all included, ensuring you have everything you need to handle the intricate components.

One of the highlights of this kit is the beginner-friendly guide. Rotate, the company behind the kit, understands that watchmaking can be intimidating for newcomers. Their detailed instructions break down the disassembly and assembly process into clear steps, accompanied by numbered pictures for easy reference. The guide goes beyond just the mechanics, explaining the purpose of each piece and offering helpful tips and tricks throughout the process. For those who prefer a greater challenge, Rotate also offers the option to receive the movement disassembled. This allows experienced hobbyists to dive right into the reassembly process, testing their watchmaking skills.

The post DIY kit lets you build your own Seiko watch movement from scratch… and it works! first appeared on Yanko Design.

Vous êtes en train de jouer à votre jeu préféré, tout en discutant sur Discord avec vos potes et en écoutant votre playlist Spotify en fond, sauf que, comme d’habitude, dès que ça bastonne un peu trop dans le jeu, vous n’entendez plus vos copains qui essaient désespérément de vous avertir qu’un ennemi arrive par derrière ! Et quand vous baissez le son du jeu, c’est votre musique qui trinque… Bref, c’est toujours le bordel pour équilibrer tous les sons de vos applications !

Mais c’était sans compter sur deej, un mixeur audio matériel open-source qui va vous permettre de contrôler le volume de chaque application indépendamment, encore mieux qu’un vrai DJ en boîte de nuit ! Et le meilleur dans tout ça, c’est que vous allez pouvoir le fabriquer vous-même ! DIY powaah !

Concrètement, deej c’est un boîtier que vous allez pouvoir bidouiller, avec de vrais curseurs physiques (bien old school !) qui vont contrôler le volume de vos applis, un fader pour Spotify, un autre pour votre jeu, un troisième pour Discord… Vous mixez tout ça en live comme un pro, et hop, fini les prises de tête !

Le système est hyper simple : vous avez une carte Arduino, quelques potentiomètres, des fils et un boîtier à fabriquer. Rien de sorcier, même pour un novice en électronique comme moi ! Et si vous avez une imprimante 3D, vous pourrez même télécharger des modèles tout faits sur Thingiverse. Sinon, un bon vieux bout de carton fera l’affaire aussi !

Côté software, c’est super bien pensé aussi. Vous avez un petit programme en Go qui tourne en tâche de fond sur votre PC et qui fait le lien entre votre mixeur et vos applications. Vous pouvez configurer ça facilement via un fichier YAML, pour assigner tel curseur à tel programme. Et si vous êtes un peu geek sur les bords, vous pourrez même bidouiller le code pour ajouter des fonctionnalités.

Fini les alt-tab frénétiques pour baisser le son au bon moment, vous passerez mixage en temps réel. Bref, un projet génial, qui mixe hardware, software, bidouille et open-source. Tout ce que j’aime !

A découvrir également ici pour le tuto.

Merci à Maitre Tofu pour le partage !