Hackaday Podcast 208: Hallucinating Robots, Floppy Cartridges, and a Flexure Synth French Horn

Hackaday Podcast 208: Hallucinating Robots, Floppy Cartridges, and a Flexure Synth French Horn

This week, Editor-in-Chief Elliot Williams and [former Assignments Editor] Kristina Panos stood around talking about the greatest hacks of the previous week. But first, we’ve got a contest running now through March 21st — the Low Power Challenge!

Kristina almost got What’s That Sound this week, but could only describe it as some sort of underwater organ, so still no t-shirt for her. But [BalkanBoy] knew exactly what it was — the Zadar Sea Organ in Croatia. Then it’s on to the hacks, beginning with the most beautiful sea of 7-segments you’ll likely ever see. We gush over a tiny PC in a floppy drive that uses custom cartridges, dish about an expressive synth that uses a flexure mechanism, and enjoy a loving ode to the vacuum fluorescent display.

Check out the links below if you want to follow along, and as always, tell us what you think about this episode in  the comments!

And/or download it and listen offline.

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Episode 208 Show Notes:

News:

Low Power Challenge: E-Paper Shelf Label Becomes Ultra-Frugal Clock
Low Power Challenge: Keep Plants Green And Clean With E-Paper Smart Tags

What’s that Sound?

This week’s lucky winner was [BalkanBoy], who knew that the mystery sound was the Zadar Sea Organ in Croatia!

Interesting Hacks of the Week:

Sailing On A Sea Of Seven-Segment Displays

Building a Sea of Segments – Will Gallia

This Camera Produces A Picture, Using The Scene Before It
Floppy-8 Is A Tiny PC In A Floppy Drive

retroCART USB Cartridge System

Internet Connected Pinball Machine Shows Off Scores

Pinball Lab

A More Expressive Synth Via Flexure
Challenging The Limits Of 3D Printing With Cymbals

Quick Hacks:

Elliot’s Picks:

Aaron Christophel Brings DOOM To Payment Terminal
Brand New Colecovision Console – On A Breadboard
A Loving Look Inside Vacuum Fluorescent Displays

Kristina’s Picks:

Watch Time Slide By With This Electromechanical Clock
DIY Tool Makes Wrapping Wiring Harnesses A Breeze
Teaching A Robot To Hallucinate

Can’t-Miss Articles:

Repurposing Old Smartphones: When Reusing Makes More Sense Than Recycling

Laptop Motherboard? No, X86 Single-Board Computer!

Keebin’ With Kristina: The One Where Shift (Really) Happens