Design

Projectors, Pandora and Pyrotechnics — 10 Pimped-Out Projects for Raspberry Pi

Makers are using the tiny, $35 platform to help the blind, manage their email, play games — even put on pyrotechnic stage shows that would make the most hardened hair band weep with joy.
  • Timelapse Dolly
  • Talking Book Case
  • RPirotechnics
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timelapse-dolly
2013 will be an exciting year in the world of gadgets — new game consoles are launching, gadgets to automate homes and improve health are popping up regularly, and this could finally be the year the mythical Apple TV ships. While these are all undeniably cool, the gadgets that will really transform the future are being prototyped in hackerspaces and garages all over the world. Increasingly, the Raspberry Pi is the platform of choice for these forward-thinking gadgeteers. Makers are using the tiny $35 platform to help the blind, manage their e-mail, play games — even put on pyrotechnic stage shows that would make the most hardened hair band weep with joy. These 10 projects show the enormous potential of this tiny board and should keep your weekend full of prototyping fun. Above:

Time-Lapse Dolly

Moving time-lapse videos are a sweet art form, but kind of tricky to pull off. Professional-grade rigs cost over a thousand dollars and while there are some sweet models on Kickstarter, they aren't exactly known for timely delivery. Rick Adam developed a home brew alternative that can be built with the Raspberry Pi and a couple hundred dollars in motors, aluminum framing, and battery packs. He does warn that he is not an expert in electronics, Python, or Metal work — essentially 99 percent of the project — But his videos prove the product works as intended. http://www.youtube.com/embed/75oYC2bKOEE Want to go a step further and create HDR time-lapse videos? Khürt Williams developed auto-bracketing software for the Pi that can help craft the ultimate hipster masterpiece. Photo: RasPiLapse