Humanoid Robot with a Flexible Neck, LEGO-Based 3D Printer, and Open Source AI Wearable Device｜DF Maker Weekly (Issue 130)

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Giving Robots a “Flexible Neck”

This project creates a bionic neck for humanoid robots that closely resembles the human neck structure.

Humanoid Robot with a Flexible Neck, LEGO-Based 3D Printer, and Open Source AI Wearable Device｜DF Maker Weekly (Issue 130)

Maker Will Cogley was inspired by human anatomical structures and combined the commonly used “Stewart platform” principle in the mechanical field, using six miniature linear actuators (similar to muscles) to achieve six degrees of freedom for the neck, allowing the robot’s head to move naturally and smoothly like a human.

The highlight of the project lies not only in the innovation of the mechanical structure but also in the clever use of 3D printing technology to create a bionic spine, combining rigid “bones” and flexible “discs” to ensure both stability and flexibility of the neck. Through Python programming and inverse kinematics algorithms, the robot can automatically adjust the “muscle” movements based on the set target position. This design lays a solid foundation for the development of more complex and realistic robots in the future.

Source: https://www.hackster.io/news/a-stewart-platform-makes-the-perfect-neck-for-a-humanoid-robot-cd75cfb25764

Solar-Powered Smart Garden Irrigation System

This project is a completely off-grid solar-powered smart irrigation system designed for automatic watering of gardens.

Its “brain” is an Arduino Nano ESP32 development board, capable of independently managing seven irrigation zones, automatically watering twice a day on a schedule. The system is powered by solar energy and equipped with battery backup, allowing it to operate stably even on cloudy days without needing to connect to the grid. It has a built-in real-time clock that keeps accurate time even when the device is powered off. In the future, it can be expanded with Wi-Fi for remote control capabilities and even integrate sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, and other data for smarter irrigation management.

This project provides a great reference and starting point for makers who need automatic irrigation solutions and want a green energy-saving approach.

Source: https://www.hackster.io/news/solar-powered-arduino-irrigation-system-9695c89329e6

3D Printer Built with LEGO Bricks

Can you imagine building a fully functional 3D printer using LEGO bricks? YouTuber Creative Mindstorms has done it! He constructed a fully functional 3D printer using almost entirely LEGO parts (except for the print head).

The machine’s structure is similar to the common Prusa i3 printer, driven by LEGO motors, with the controller also being a LEGO Mindstorms EV3 main unit, running custom 3D printing firmware, and even able to read standard g-code files.

Although the print quality is not on par with modern printers, this project fully demonstrates the limitless possibilities of LEGO and the extreme creativity of makers.

Source: https://www.hackster.io/news/this-madman-built-a-3d-printer-entirely-from-lego-parts-10c8d255175f

SAMI-Bot: An Easy-to-Start Smart Robot Learning Platform

SAMI-Bot is a small smart robot designed for education and makers, making complex robot motion control simple and fun. Whether you are a student, teacher, or robotics enthusiast, you can easily learn robot programming through SAMI-Bot.

It uses the Arduino platform, equipped with efficient SAMI smart motor drivers and a Trinket M0 microcontroller, making it not only easy to operate but also highly extensible, capable of handling various complex motion commands. Just set the target action, and SAMI-Bot will automatically perform the corresponding mathematical calculations and precise movements.

Whether for classroom teaching, robotics competitions, or personal interest learning, SAMI-Bot provides rich practical experiences, making advanced robotics technology accessible.

Source: https://www.instructables.com/SAMI-Bot-Learning-Platform-for-Robotics/

Open Source AI Wearable Device – Omi, Making Voice Transcription Smarter

Omi is a highly popular open-source AI wearable device project that can automatically and accurately transcribe meetings, chats, and voice memos, greatly enhancing your work and life efficiency.

The Omi device resembles a necklace, is lightweight to wear, and can capture and record your conversations in real-time. It supports up to 4 days of battery life, features offline transcription, conversation memory, instant summarization, and can be expanded with more functionalities through the app marketplace.

Omi is completely open-source, allowing you to purchase ready-made hardware or DIY your own assembly, with detailed information and parts lists available. For developers, Omi also provides an easy-to-use SDK to create your own AI wearable ecosystem.

Source: https://github.com/BasedHardware/omi

This weekly issue was first published in the DF Maker Community

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