Tag Archives: DIY

DIYers Electric Mini Tesla employs Logitech webcams and machine learning to navigate semi-autonomously

Posted on by

Materializing the idea of safe, self-driving cars is not an easy feat unless you’re Elon Musk. However, if you want to try your hand at building one, starting small is the next big leap. That’s exactly what Austin Blake did by embarking on a challenging project to create an autonomous Mini Tesla.

Built on a Radio Flyer Tesla Model S electric toy car he calls the Teskart, the self-driving go-kart employs three Logitech C920 webcams – on the right, center and left – to feed the machine learning software. The model is trained to mirror the behavior demonstrated with 48,000 image training sets of the walking path it is tested on.

Designer: Austin Blake

Initially, this semi-autonomous Teskart had a lot of close moments when it went off the designated track with just one webcam at work. Then Austin decided to add two more webcams to the equation and fixed a bug. This resulted in the go-cart frame fitted with the Radio Flyer Tesla going around the makeshift track without wearing off.

For the steering input, Austin created a bolt-on frame, holding the steering servo motor salvaged from an electric wheelchair in place. If you are wondering what happened to the on-board high-speed motor capable of reaching speeds of up to 6 mph? Well, he replaced it with the new Motenergy ME0907 brushless electric motor that pushes the tiny car to speeds of 45mph at 48V power. He plans to increase that top speed even more with a 72V version soon.

The existing motor can churn out 80 continuous amps and a peak of 220 amps for one minute spinning the rear axle loaded on a chain and deriving power from the DIY battery pack made from 224 individual 18650 lithium-ion cells separated into 16 modules with their own battery management system.

That said we would refrain from calling this DIY a pure self-driving build, as only the steering angle is controlled by the system and the throttle control is still manual. Maybe the inventive DIYer intends to employ the data from the behavioral cloning to add another Arduino-controlled component to control the throttle input too. Maybe then it’ll be just to call it a self-driving mini Tesla in the true sense!

The post DIYers Electric Mini Tesla employs Logitech webcams and machine learning to navigate semi-autonomously first appeared on Yanko Design.

Monotrack Bike made out of old car tire performs smooth wheelies even if you’ve got zero skills

Posted on by

Performing wheelies on a regular bike requires are special skillset and if simply aren’t good enough, then this DIY should interest you. All you need is a bent for putting together stuff from junk, and you’ll have a unique-looking monotrack bike to go crazy with.

YouTube channel ‘Make It Extreme’ has shown what it can do with stuff lying around in the junkyard, and this time around, they’ve created a mini motorbike with just a single car tire.

Designer: Make It Extreme

They call it the Monotrack Bike, capable of performing wheelie stunts even though you’ve never been good at it. By cutting the sidewalls of a recycled car tire and fitting it around a motor’s body, the DIY enthusiasts have surprised us. The tire acts like a tank tread for the steel track to have maximum grip on the tarmac, and therefore gives the rider freedom to perform extreme wheelies without the fear of losing balance.

Since space is a premium in this build, the rider has to recline and hold on to the handlebars. During braking, the cute little bike tilts forward, so performing easy stoppies should also be in contention. At the concluding half of the DIY, the maker tests the monotrack bike on a smooth tarmac and looks super cool. Cruising smoothly on bumpy surfaces and dirt tracks should also not be difficult for the machine.

The exhaust system, suspensions, handlebars, saddle and the motor for this DIY have also been salvaged from stuff lying around in the junkyard. There’s no mention of the motor specifications so we cannot comment on the torque or top speed of this machine. That said it looks potent enough to catch eyeballs while you perform stunts on the driveway. Just make sure to get a helmet and a quality pair of kneecaps, because getting carried away riding this machine is a certainty!

The post Monotrack Bike made out of old car tire performs smooth wheelies even if you’ve got zero skills first appeared on Yanko Design.

Master woodworker and passionate father builds life-sized tank from “World of Tanks” for his son

Posted on by

Whether you call him the father of the year, or reckon his son the most pampered little brat, you will reach the same outcome: A fully-functional mobile ride that combines limitless possibilities of woodworking and fatherhood that knows no bounds.

If you haven’t figured it out already, we are talking about Vietnamese craftsman Trương Văn Đạo, a father and proprietor of a wood workshop and YouTube channel, ND Woodworking Art. After building wooden Rolls-Royce and Lamborghini replicas for his son, Văn Đạo has now built a life-sized, drivable Swedish STRV 103 tank – that’s immortalized in the popular video game “World of Tanks” – as a replacement for his little one’s RC tank he accidentally broke.

Designer: ND Woodworking Art

The entire journey of the ambitious build has been speed documented on the workshop’s YouTube channel, from the humble beginning to a stellar finish. The idea starts out with a steel box frame attached to pneumatic rubber wheels together forming the foundation upon which the tank would rise.

This basic structure is then fitted with an electric motor, which would give the tank sustainable power to ride green with pride. It is joined by a chain drive system and tank treads, shaping the contraption into a capable machine. Once the metal base with tank treads is perfected, it was now time to head to the upper part.

A sturdy metal superstructure is created and attached to the base, bringing the essence of a tank together. The sturdiness of metal would now receive a wooden finish: The team of craftsmen skillfully cut and craft contours to mirror that of the STRV 103, which are then placed piece by piece on the tank shell to bring it closer to the final outcome.

Now some meticulously designed wooden accessories such as gas tanks and shovels are attached to the exterior of the tank, to add authenticity and character to the replica which is built with an ingenious feature. A hydraulic front that lowers on command to make it easy for Văn Đạo’s son to climb in, as the two embark on a joyous ride in their electric wooden tank traversing roads and open grasslands with ease.

The post Master woodworker and passionate father builds life-sized tank from “World of Tanks” for his son first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 DIY Designs To Create In The Comfort Of Your Home

Posted on by

DIY designs have been taking the design world by storm! Building things purely with our hands, putting our sweat and grit into it, and watching a design roar to life in front of our eyes, has become the new pass time for many of us. But these DIY designs are more than just your run-of-the-mill products made using discarded water bottles, and paper! These are innovative, complex, and highly functional product designs that cater to a variety of our needs, but are also really simple to put together. It’s the best of both worlds. From a DIY living plant chair to a DIY wall clock that tells time using prismatic light– each of these nifty designs will get your creative juices flowing, and your hands moving, as well as definitely add some value to your life. Which of these unique DIY designs would you try building at home?!

1. LEGO “The Moon: Earth’s Companion”

The LEGO Art space poster “The Moon: Earth’s Companion” is a stunning fan-made creation that was built using 2360 bricks, and is a tribute to the sheer brilliance of the moon.

Why is it noteworthy?

The build celebrates the beauty and mystery of the moon while featuring a brick-built MOON that was designed with immense attention to detail and precision, which was further amplified with the use of realistic terrains and craters.

What we like

  • Built with precision and attention to detail
  • Captures the beauty and brilliance of the moon

What we dislike

  • There is only possible moon design, which restricts the design we can have on the wall.

2. The Green Hideaway Chair

Designed by  Stockholm-based studio Front/ in collaboration with European DIY chain HORNBACH and its creative agency HeimatTBWA, the Green Hideaway Chair is a DIY living plant chair that allows you to connect with nature in the comfort of your own home.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Green Hideaway Chair can be built by DIYers of all skill levels since it comes along with illustrated, step-by-step instructions, a template, and a complete list of materials and tools needed. So they basically have everything spelled out for you!

What we like

  • Makes nature accessible to you in your own home

What we dislike

  • A bulky and space-consuming design, so you need to make sure you have sufficient space to add it to your home

3. The Jetson Office Pod

Designed by workplace furniture brand Mute, the Jetson office pod is described as “the first truly DIY acoustic pod”. Sounds pretty interesting, doesn’t it?!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Jetson office pod intends to make office pods flexible, accessible, and easily obtainable so that they become a common sight in commercial offices. It is built using durable and lightweight aluminum.

What we like

  • Can be assembled and put together within 30-60 minutes with the help of two people and zero tools

What we dislike

  • Not much scope for customization in terms of colors and aesthetics

4. Tiny Washing Machine

Yes, this tiny washing machine is fully operational, but it is so little it cant accommodate even a single sock! But still, that didn’t stop YouTuber Inventus from creating it!

Why is it noteworthy?

Inventus used a couple of Coke cans, an empty pill bottle, a flexible straw, popsicle sticks, and a USB-powered mini DC motor to put together this little contraption. It is portable and super easy to carry around – obviously.

What we like

  • It manages to dry scrunchies after washing them
  • Portable design

What we dislike

  • Extremely limited design that can’t really wash much

5. Decorative Analog Clock

This stunning DIY wall clock completely eliminates the typical convention of distinct clock hands and instead employs different hues of lights to let you eyeball the time to some extent.

Why is it noteworthy?

This Decorative Analog Clock involves quite a number of small electronics, wiring, and a bit of 3D printing. As the name suggests, however, this clock bucks the trend of defaulting to a digital presentation and clings to the analog way of telling time, at least in theory.

What we like

  • The three distinct light colors each tell a different aspect of the time, just like physical hands

What we dislike

  • Looks easily breakable

6. That Stool

Designed by Alondra Elizalde, That Stool is a flatpack DIY tiny stool that can be easily assembled, providing a practical and functional means of having a stool with you anytime, anywhere.

Why is it noteworthy?

That Stool is comprised of only a few parts: a seat rest, five legs, a couple of star-shaped spindles, and some connecting nuts and bolts. All contained within a flatpack corrugated cardboard box, the parts of That Stool are easy to assemble with no additional hardware required.

What we like

  • Assembled in only four steps without any additional hardware
  • Can be used anywhere, at any time

What we dislike

  • Looks like any other regular stool on the market

7. The Monocle

Inspired by Google Glass, the Monocle is a circular device that goes over just one eye, leaving the other completely free of any obstacle. However, unlike preexisting AR glasses, it doesn’t come as a complete eyewear product.

Why is it noteworthy?

You clip the Monocle onto any pair of glasses, which is especially useful if you wear a prescription. It holds all the electronics in a single piece, including a 720p camera, and a 640×400 OLED display.

What we like

  • Makes AR accessible and easier to use

What we dislike

  • The device isn’t exactly the sleekest way to get an AR experience with your regular glasses

8. The Absolem Keyboard

This stunning eye-catching butterfly-shaped keyboard makes for an out-of-box yet minimalist addition to your wooden workspace. It is unique, and an effort to bring new concepts and experiments to your workdesk.

Why is it noteworthy?

The ultimate goal was to have a reduced number of keys, 36 in total, plus a few extra keys that would allow switching between letters, symbols, and function keys.

What we like

  • Unique form with practical functionality

What we dislike

  • Uses plenty of plastic and electronics, including neoprene, so it’s not exactly a sustainable design

9. The Atlas

The Addio Design Collective created the Atlas Backpack Stand which is a new category of furniture that functions as a side table, as well as a stand for hanging your backpacks, so they don’t end up touching the floor.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Atlas isn’t a conventional side table. It comes almost with the proportions and shape of an easel, sporting an A-shaped frame. It comes with a slightly inclined design too, keeping the stand stable and preventing it from tipping over due to your bag’s weight. .

What we like

  • It suspends your bag above the ground, keeping it from getting dirty
  • Makes it easy to access stuff inside your bag without having to bend down

What we dislike

  • A bit of a niche product – may not appeal to everyone

10. The Chonky Palmtop

Tiny laptops are often called palmtops, and they do tend to be quite bulky. However, this bulky ‘palmtop’ attempts to tackle that issue by fitting in a slightly more comfortable keyboard in a 7-inch space.

Why is it noteworthy?

This contraption isn’t called the Chonky Palmtop for no reason. Unlike other DIY laptop projects, this one makes no qualms about being a large plastic brick. It’s not going to be usable on your palm, though you probably won’t use it like that anyway. After all, what makes this special is how it tries to make typing a bit more comfortable on a laptop of this size.

What we like

  • It splits the keyboard into two halves, adopting a layout that is similar to those ergonomic keyboards you’d find in the market

What we dislike

  • You may not want to use a computer of this size for your everyday needs

The post Top 10 DIY Designs To Create In The Comfort Of Your Home first appeared on Yanko Design.

World’s first high-end submersible PC is a power-packed steampunk machine for gaming: Watch Now

Posted on by

YouTube channel DIY Perks is no stranger to the world of amazing builds that are practical and aesthetically stunning. For his latest creation Matthew Perks, pushes the envelope of artistry and engineering, making a submersible PC that’s loaded with the latest and greatest PC components.

The steampunk influence of the build not only keeps the innards at optimum temperature but also looks stunning. Of course, the whole thing needs to be waterproof to the last drop to keep water from getting inside the housing, and damaging the thousands of dollars’ worth of computer equipment!

Designer: Matthew Perks (DIY Perks)

This is not an average DIY that anyone can think of making over the weekend. In fact, it required a lot of skill and know-how about putting metal components together, calculating the waterproofing capabilities of the rig, and experience handling electric hardware in close proximity to water. Matthew knows what’s he doing in this demanding DIY, and in the end, he manages to create a stunning submersible PC that’s capable of running any complex 3D renders or gaming titles at it!

It all starts with building the watertight acrylic cylinder that creates a see-through shield for the mounted hardware and then goes on to creating the cooling frame. The latter is filled with distilled water since Matthew doesn’t want any chemical coolants to accidentally seep into the delicate aquatic ecosystem of the pond he’ll test this machine in.

Once both are done, the next step is to install the PC hardware into the space-constricted vertical frame and sort out the cooling frame assembly. To keep the inside waterproof from the water pressure, the seasoned DIYer opts for custom gaskets, rather than going for the regular ones. The most important step is to reinforce the top cap section with watertight components.

Finally, the DIY is complete and it’s time to test the underwater PC submerged in the backyard pond. A 50-meter optical thunderbolt cable is connected to the Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED at the other end on dry land. As soon as the power button is pressed, the PC comes to life, lighting up the steampunk machine underwater. The surrounding water helps in keeping the hardware cool and during the one-hour testing phase, Matthew is surprised by the efficacy of the cooling system (maximum recorded temperature 20.8 degree Celsius) even when the system churns out over 800 Watts!

The post World’s first high-end submersible PC is a power-packed steampunk machine for gaming: Watch Now first appeared on Yanko Design.

World’s first hubless handmade rollerblade skates are rugged enough to go off-road too

Posted on by

When it comes to crazy two wheeled DIYs, there are only a handful that even come close to YouTuber “The Q” for his out-of-the-box creations. The best part, this relentless DIYer never seizes to amaze us with his eye-popping builds. Whether it’s the square-wheeled bicycle, wheeless bicycle or the airless tires.

Yet again, the inventive genius has leveled-up another means of commuting in the metropolis. An ordinary pair of rollerblade skates get the bump-up to be a capable off-roading set of wheels to tread any uneven terrain that your regular rollerblades just can’t do.

Designer: The Q

The inline skates that the DIYer owns, now graduate to a set of cool looking hubless roller skates encapsulated in a durable frame and chunkier wheels. The build kicks-off with a set of wheels salvaged from a toy car most probably that are sawed from the inside and then smoothened. This makes way for the metal bearings fitted snugly on the inside.

The next phase in this rollerblade inline skates DIY is to cut a steel frame to secure the wheels in place and act as the base for the top of the inline skates to sit on. Everything is secured in place with screws and the final step involves sanding and spray painting it to get a cool look.

Compared to some other extensive DIYs by the man, this one seems slightly easier to make by his standards. This gives keen builders opportunity to make one for themselves or their kids as a weekend project.

One thing I’d like to point out is that the wheels should be pivoting outwards by a small angle to prevent stress on the legs, and also improve the riding balance. One more thing – they’ll look way cooler with a Tron-like theme, don’t you think?

The post World’s first hubless handmade rollerblade skates are rugged enough to go off-road too first appeared on Yanko Design.

A DIY enthusiast built this micro electric camper on tank treads to strolls and live in the woods

Posted on by

Electric camper vans are a need of the hour as the adventure industry inclines toward a sustainable and efficient way of living a nomadic life. While discerning adventurers and industry leaders rely on a Mercedes Sprinter or a Ford Transit to build their campers, here is a guy doing it effortlessly by building an electric camper from scratch, spending the least possible to fuel his passion.

This DIY electric camper is created around a wooden bed with its tank trails (for the rear wheels) being the standout aspect. We have over time seen some incredible DIY campers, which look more refined; the micro electric camper by YouTuber Quiet Nerd stands out as a worthy electric camper anyone with basic DIY skills can build at home.

Designer: Quiet Nerd

Completed as an electric camper we wouldn’t expect, it was created in under four days. An interesting exemplification of electric power mobility, this is billed as an off-roading camper, but with its ground clearance and fragile structure, I’m not sure of that claim!

To test the camper, the builder however took it over a levelled-up jungle trail to relax and camp within overnight. And for camping convenience, the camper is covered with a greenhouse – trampoline overlay to shade from the sun – and has a camp kitchen and some storage options within.

Powered by an electric motor, the camper has lawn mower wheels on the front and tank treads attached to the rear axle, which is connected via a chain to the motor. The camper’s 24V motor runs off a 12V battery – connected to a boost converter to double the voltage – and is steered using an installed go-kart steering kit. The camper is finished with LED lights on the front and rear, and it can run 2.5 hours on a single charge.

The post A DIY enthusiast built this micro electric camper on tank treads to strolls and live in the woods first appeared on Yanko Design.

This invisible home theatre system is the coolest way to tidy up the chaos around your 4K TV

Posted on by

Over the years, we’ve witnessed an astonishing evolution in technology, where televisions have transformed into elegant, slim marvels that effortlessly blend with our décor. Yet, despite their aesthetic appeal, there’s one aspect that remains an eyesore—the untidy chaos that accumulates on the TV stand, stealing away the charm and allure we strive for.

But fear not! If you possess a touch of woodworking finesse and a sprinkle of audio tech know-how, then brace yourself for a game-changing solution presented by the renowned DIY mastermind, YouTuber DIY Perks. With the video demonstration above, embark on a journey that will revolutionize your living room, introducing an invisible 5.1 channel surround sound home theatre project: a spectacle that will leave your guests in awe.

Designer: DIY Perks

Embrace a flawless blend of form and function, where sound seamlessly envelops you from all angles, without a single visible speaker or TV screen to disrupt the aesthetic harmony. With this ingenious DIY project, you can bid farewell to unsightly wires, hindering TV set, and bulky speakers that mar the elegance of your living space.

After awing us over with triple-screen foldable laptop and an invisible PC – built into a table – the intrepid DIYer dares to take the leap and embark on this extraordinary venture where the TV is hidden away from plain sight.

Once the cabinetry hiding the TV is flung open, you have a 5.1 surround sound home theatre system with a 75-inch LG QNED mini LED 4K TV in the center. Along with this, you get a high-power PC, Blu-ray player, and a PlayStation 5 installed in the designated top chamber, to take care of your work and gaming requirements. And to spice up the décor, you have a fuming fireplace at the base of this unit.

This custom invisible 4K TV and home theatre system, unfortunately, doesn’t come in a ready-to-build kit. So, everything there is, and you see in the video, will have to be handcrafted. You can however get a 3D file for the dimensions of this build to set out and try it at home!

The post This invisible home theatre system is the coolest way to tidy up the chaos around your 4K TV first appeared on Yanko Design.

Unique Reuleaux triangle-shaped wheels on this bike is far more comfortable than you’d imagine

Posted on by

If you thought the square-wheeled bicycle was a logically impossible build, a Reuleaux triangle cycle ride is even bonkers. Sergii Gordieiev, who’s an engineer by profession and inventive fabricator by nature, bamboozled us with his earlier creation and now, another fresh DIY has left us yearning for more.

Just like the square-wheeled bicycle that seemed logically impossible to move – but still, it did smoothly – this ingenious build too surprises with its nifty engineering. The ingenious bicycle riding on wheels with rollers move in a linear manner, forming adjacent lines between each one of the rollers and the flat surface it’s riding on. This enables the triangle wheels to overcome their limitation and roll more comfortably than presumed.

Designer: Sergii Gordieiev

Even more so, the bicycle can traverse and maneuver uneven terrain like dirt trails with equal dexterity. If we think based on the laws of physics, for the Reuleaux triangle-shaped wheels it is the “simplest and best-known curve of constant width other than the circle.”

The DIY bike is ridden like any other pedal-powered bicycle even though it looks highly improbable. Also, the rider doesn’t feel as much discomfort as one would assume. Articulated arms soak up most of the wheel’s movement and don’t transfer it to the rider. Truly a feat of engineering that’s a cakewalk for Sergii, given his previous builds.

Although it doesn’t ride as smoothly as the square-shaped version, still the dampening of all that lateral movement is an achievement. Just seeing those wheels and the noise coming from them will grab anyone’s attention.

The post Unique Reuleaux triangle-shaped wheels on this bike is far more comfortable than you’d imagine first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Beepberry is a messaging gadget that curbs smartphone addiction while looking like a retro BlackBerry

Posted on by

Pebble smartwatch founder, Eric Migicovsky has been under the wraps for quite some time, and he has a side project that’s got everyone interested. While he’s deeply engrossed with his chat aggregation app Beeper and a mystery Android phone, Eric has gone back to his roots and created a computing device for sending or receiving messages.

Dubbed Beepberry, the strange-looking gadget is a raw prototype that is right out of the hardcore tech DIY realm. It’s a dump phone to get rid of smartphone addiction as the innovator wanted a “weekend device” to keep connected with people but not have the multimedia distractions of a modern phone.

Designer: Beepberry

To keep things simple, the gadget only works with the in-house Beeper app and nothing else is a privilege here. For those who don’t know, Beeper is an all-in-one chat device with all the chat platforms like WhatsApp and iMessage in one place.

Migicovsky says that the raw gadget is essentially an “e-paper Cyberdeck” that seamlessly fits in “your pocket.” For the Beepberry, the creator has mashed up Sharp’s 2.3-inch Memory LCD screen (400×240 resolution), genuine Blackberry Classic keyboard and Raspberry Pi Zero W into one. Since it is virtually open source for now, so in the right hands it acts like a portable e-paper computer for geeks.

In fact, the official website where the Beepberry is up for $79 describes it as a handheld device that can be tweaked for getting weather updates or playing Ascii Star Wars. Since the gadget is barebones for now, you’ll have to figure out a way to somehow hook on the 2,000mAh battery. Some of the demos show the creators using a rubber band to hold it in place!

Shell out $99 and you’ll get a Pi Zero W preinstalled to make things easier. For now, there is no cellular connectivity option, so you’ll not be aware of those messages if they are important. Nor does the gadget come with a case, so you’ll have to 3D-Print it yourself.

The post The Beepberry is a messaging gadget that curbs smartphone addiction while looking like a retro BlackBerry first appeared on Yanko Design.