With the Holidays just a few weeks away, it’s probably time to think about what gifts the young kids in your life might like. If they’re into robotics, perhaps Bellrobot’s Mabot Plug-and-Play Modular Robot is just what you’re looking for. Sure it’s a STEM-based learning kit, but it’s easy to put together and program in…

Building a guitar is as much art as it is science, and chances are if you’re playing one, you’ve probably entertained the notion of making one of your own. While most all electric guitars are CNC milled (even those considered ‘handmade’), acoustics are a different story, consisting of a myriad of steps that range from…

Last year, Kano debuted a complete DIY desktop computer kit based around the Raspberry Pi as a way to get kids interested in computing. The unforeseen problem, however, is most kids today prefer to interact with touchscreen mobile devices—such as smartphones and tablets—rather than a desktop PC. Kano took notice and has launched an updated…

It would seem like an impossible endeavor to top NASA engineer Lonnie Johnson’s Super Soaker water gun, but a team of German engineers may have taken the water weapon crown with their Spyra One- a water rifle that fires ‘water bullets,’ meant to improve accuracy and distance. Whereas the Super Soaker requires you to fill…

In general, a good camping backpack should be lightweight, rugged, and fit properly—while luggage should be spacious, easily portable, and able to withstand the rigors of baggage handlers. A new design from Atlas Sabbatical combines the two in the form of Atlas- a backpack that transforms for different phases of a trip. Atlas Sabbatical designed…

Epic Games’ Fortnite is a popular third-person shooter-survival game that pits up to four players who work together to fight off zombie-like creatures and defend objects by building fortifications. Players can choose a myriad of guns to do battle with, including an excellent double-barrel shotgun that can dispatch enemies rather quickly. Being a favorite of…

Silicon Valley startup Opener recently debuted their Blackfly VTOL aircraft at this year’s AirVenture Oshkosh airshow in Wisconsin. Touted as “the world’s first ultralight all-electric fixed-wing extreme short/vertical take-off and landing (ESTOL/VTOL) aircraft,” the single-seat personal aircraft doesn’t require a pilot’s license to operate or need any unique skills, although it will require you to…

NASA has awarded a piece of their $100,000 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge money to five teams for their entries in Phase 3: Level 1 of the contest. The competition is part of NASA’s ambitions to build a 3D-printed habitat for deep space exploration, including their endeavor to journey to Mars. https://youtu.be/KKPtMjUEnX8 The competition, which started back…

Infiniti’s 2019 QX50 is the first vehicle in their lineup to feature their VC-Turbo (Variable-Compression) engine that can change compression ratios on the fly for increased fuel efficiency. Standard automobiles typically have a single compression ratio that is expressed in a form such as 10:1, which compares the maximum to the minimum value of cylinder…

An unusual robot designed by professor David Zarrouk at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is capable of changing its shape to overcome obstacles, allowing it to roll around on wheels, crawl like a turtle, and even flip itself over to traverse difficult terrain. The RSTAR (Rising Sprawl-Tuned Autonomous Robot) features sprawling wheel-leg assembly, which…

For a deposit of just $6,384 down, you can reserve one of Sarolea’s Manx7 all-electric super-bikes, which boasts 204hp, a top speed of 150mph, and a range of 200-miles before needing a recharge. Of course, if you want to ride the motorcycle, you will need to pony up another $49,312 on delivery. Only 250 of…

It’s no secret that Adam Savage is a big Nerf fan and incredibly fond of the company’s Rival Nemesis MXVII-10K 100-round assault weapon. As with any piece of equipment though, the Tested star is capable of taking it to the limit of what it can do, which is what he did with the Nemesis- transforming…

Since its founding in 1995, Lockheed Martin has made a myriad of contributions to the aerospace industry with groundbreaking new technologies. With the introduction of 3D printers and the onset of additive manufacturing, Lockheed has leveraged these tools to create everything from missile components to spacecraft parts. The aerospace company can now add giant 3D…

Researchers from UC Berkeley’s Biomimetic Millisystems Lab have been busy developing their Salto jumping robot since its debut in 2016. Back then, the robot was capable of jumping at great heights, but had orientation issues and could only complete two jumps in a row before crashing. The researchers have since solved the orientation issues with…

Repurposing old materials and using them to create something new—also known as Upcycling— is a great idea. Rather than throwing out those used materials, they can be utilized for many ingenious projects if you’re willing to stretch that creative muscle enough. Many upcycled projects have to deal with reclaimed wood—such as using an old barn…

SolidWorks unveiled two new certification exams at SolidWorks World 2018, which celebrated 20 years since their certification program began back in 1998. At the 16-year mark, the program only certified 100,000 users, but since the demand for programmers, engineers, and CAD professionals has risen over the last few years, that number has doubled to over…

Most professional and amateur filmmakers and photographers have probably used a camera dolly at some point for everything from time-lapse imaging to creating smooth horizontal camera movements. Suffice it to say, those dollies can be costly depending on the rig, which is why some creative aficionados decide to build their own, which is precisely what…

Back when I was a kid, I built a model of the Tardis Console from season 13 using my parent’s cable spool coffee table and a healthy supply of cardboard. Although I could travel anywhere I wanted to in my mind (Calvin & Hobbes style), I wasn’t able to leave the confines of my yard.…

Technology dominates our lives in just about every facet, and coding is on the fast-track to becoming the new Blue Collar job prospect in the near future. Coding skills have dominated STEM curriculums just about everywhere. But school isn’t the only place where kids—and their curious parents—can learn how to write an app. In fact,…

At this year’s CES, IBM unveiled their 50-Qubit Quantum Computer prototype, which looks more at home in the Steam Punk world instead of an exhibition room at The Venetian Hotel and Casino. What makes the machine an incredible piece of technology is in the way it processes data. Rather than strictly using digital binary (1’s…

Good news for those looking to add 3D capabilities to any device or machine as Intel recently released their RealSense 400 series depth cameras. Both the 415 and 435 cameras are USB-powered, ready to use out of the box and capable of processing depth using the onboard D4 Vision processor, which can process multiple real-time…

We’ve all heard of project crowdfunding platforms Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and RocketHub (among many others) to get our projects financed and manufactured. But what if your ‘project’ is a business or, to be more specific, a more robust company to produce multiple projects rather than one? This is the premise behind the new startup-investing platform known…

Pencils haven’t changed much over the last century, at least not for the General Pencil Company, one of the last pencil manufacturing companies in the US. While they do use conveyors and other machine shop tools, the pencils crafted there are still made by hand and have been done this way since the company opened…

Several weeks ago, Headup Games announced the next installment in their popular Portal video game series. But, it certainly wasn’t what fans were expecting. Instead of continuing on their first-person puzzle-platform, the new game is a bridge-building simulator with some aspects of Portal thrown into the mix. In essence, it’s ClockStone’s Bridge Constructer combined with…

From custom hand-milled creations to 12-sided behemoths designed for roleplaying games, it’s impressive how far dice have come since they were first discovered in archeological digs and were estimated to be between 2800 to 2500BC. CoDi dice are a standard six-sided die CNC machined out of steel or brass (depending on preference) and come with…

Microsoft came pretty dang close to projecting holograms in the real world with their HoloLens mixed reality headset. However, those holograms can only be seen through the eyes of the viewer so long as they’re wearing the head-mounted display. Tech startup Looking Glass, on the other hand, has developed an interactive lightfield kit that allows…

It’s been a long time coming, but after nearly three years, Magic Leap has finally unveiled their One augmented reality headset— dubbed the ‘Creator Edition.’ The head-mounted alternate reality platform consists of a pair of oversized Lightwear goggles, a portable CD player-looking external computer known as Lightpack, and a handheld controller. The headset is purported…

When it comes to internet browsers, I’ve used them all–Chrome, Safari, Edge, Opera, Firefox, you name it. While each of these browsers has their strengths and weaknesses, over the years I find myself just using Chrome and Firefox and, between both, Chrome comes out as the clear winner. Of course, this was before I updated…

Back in the summer of 2016, MillRight CNC burst onto the scene with their surprisingly affordable M3 desktop CNC machine ($299 for the kit)–a barebones setup which featured an MDF frame, NEMA 17 stepper motors, a modest 10.25″ x 10.25″ (260mm x 260mm) work area and powered by an Arduino Uno control board. Consequently, the company…

It may look like a simple block of wood, but Nissha’s Mui does much more than sit on your wall as an aesthetically pleasing living room decoration; underneath that warm earthy texture is a touch-based internet-connected interactive display capable of displaying information and controlling IoT devices. The display is designed to match to your environment…

For many, a line of LEGO-inspired 3D printed jewelry is sure to bring a wave of nostalgia. For others who still regularly buy LEGO sets, it’s simply an ingenious way to repurpose those extra bricks as fashion accessories. Such is the premise behind the new jewelry line from French design studio Hint Lab. Thomas and…

A long time ago, I learned I could use my campfire charcoal to filter any questionable water sources if no other water was available. Not surprisingly, charcoal can have a profound effect on softening ordinary tap water, too. London-based design firm Black+Blum recently designed an interesting (BPA free) water bottle to take advantage of a…

People People, the Swedish company behind the Modern Pocket Watch and Wearable IoT for Snickers Workwear, has successfully run a new crowd-funding campaign on Kickstarter for their Small Wireless Transparent Speaker with Flic Button control. The new speaker features a glass case so you can see exactly how the drivers are all wired together to…

Marcus Bree knows buildings. The engineer and architect fan has been creating highly detailed models of prominent buildings and landmarks since 2008, including the Sydney Opera House and the Guggenheim. He’s now setting his sights on the iconic Farnsworth House designed and constructed by famed architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe back in 1951. The…

The one notebook you’ll ever need- Rocketbook’s Everlast. At least that’s the claim from the makers of the highly successful Wave: Cloud Connected Microwavable Notebook and The One, a single-use cloud-connected paper tablet. What do all three have in common? The ability to write on paper, using pen and upload those writings and doodles digitally…

With streaming sites, listening to music off your phone, and noise canceling headphones it’s easy to forget music can be a shared experience. And no, that one guy on the train playing music on his phone without headphones doesn’t count. Sticky Sounds, by London Lazerson, wants to bring people together under the power of music…

It easy for makers, creators, and builders to shut themselves up in their workshop hours on end to get their design just right. Working in solitude can help get the job done, but sometimes you want to get feedback from others. Whether you’re looking for feedback, advice, or inspiration, sometimes you need to get someone…

It looks like Bridgestone is flexing its biceps at Nexo by creating airless bicycle tires that won’t go flat, even when punctured. Unlike conventional tires with an inner tube filled with air to maintain rigidity, Bridgestone’s “Air-Free Concept” wheels feature thermoplastic resin spokes to maintain shape and support the weight. The tires are stretched around the inner…

Hot off the trail of their One DLP 3D printer debuted last year, Taiwan-based Phrozen is back, this time with Make, “the world’s most compact, reliable, and precise LCD light-cured resin 3D printer.” If that sounds like a mouthful, you’re right, but over 240 backers have already put Phrozen over their Kickstarter campaign target goal…

An AR platform so good even the military uses it? In this case, the platform in question is Gravity Jack’s PoindextAR- a system capable of detecting and augmenting any object without the need for markers and it can do so using any smart device with a camera. A bold claim would be an understatement, considering…

Stand-alone, desktop 3D printers seem to be going the way of the Dodo bird with the introduction of all-in-one machines, which offer more than simple printing. There are an increasing of companies who have eschewed traditional 3D printing to incorporate additional functionality. I used to think it was all a gimmick, but after seeing a…

Professor Dumpster, Jeff Wilson (professor of environmental sciences at Huston-Tillotson University), is in the production phase for his Kasita prefabricated, connected tiny house, which will most likely be available in December of this year. This isn’t your typical tiny house but rather a modern take on a popular movement centered on sustainable living. In this…

Not everyone was happy about Apple removing the 3.5mm jack from the latest iPhone. Understandable if you sunk good money into a pair of expensive, wired cans because, of course, we can never settle for anything less than perfect sound playback. There are workarounds for the lack of a jack by using a Bluetooth connector…

Gambody is a 3D model repository for all that’s awesome in gaming and pop culture. The detail on many of their models is impressive, which is one reason why 3D design teacher Sam Fenimore chose Gambody to snag the STL files for his StarCraft Hyperion Battlecruiser. The ship is predominantly featured in StarCraft II: Wings…

Peopoly’s Moai 3D printer began as a personal project between a pair of friends (Shu Peng & Richard Li) who wanted a better 3d printing option that could go beyond what RepRap, Ultimaker and other kit-based printers had to offer. They wanted professional quality with an affordable price. After building several of those machines, they…

Traditional speakers, the kind that sits on your bookshelf, produce sound by applying an electrical audio signal to a voice-coil, which vibrates rapidly back and forth, thus moving a diaphragm, which pushes air resulting in an audible tone. The design has not changed much over the century since the invention in 1925. However, VETR Audio,…

Tough, durable, long-lasting toys were almost nonexistent in my household when I was growing up. Transformers often lost their limbs after a month or so, G.I. Joes normally went to war without their weapons and “Have you seen the pieces to my new Lego set?” was a question routinely heard by my parents and siblings.…

Xometry, an advanced manufacturing/prototyping software platform, has recently acquired $23 Million in investment capital from GE Ventures, Highland Capital Partners and others to help accelerate development of its advanced manufacturing platform. Put another way, the company gained a ton of funds to ramp up development of their online quoting systems and software integration to dominate…

Performing surgery isn’t a perfect science, and even doctors need to practice their skills, especially when it comes to children. To hone those skills, doctors practice various techniques using anatomical models or mannequins. However, these are typically limiting regarding complexity and feel, which limits the training. To overcome those limitations, Ph.D. grad student Mark Thielen…

When you drop $65K on a Confederate Hellcat X132 motorcycle, the last thing you want to do is crash it. If the unfortunate does happen, in the case of one individual, you can always turn to Austin-based Revival Cycles and have them redesign and rebuild the bike to make it even more badass. They did…