Awesome Tech

Smoothly dispensing toilet paper is definitely a first-world problem. In fact, we’re not even sure it’s a problem that needs to be solved at all. But that didn’t stop LEGO maker Technic Brick from engineering a solution using a variety of gears, connectors, a motor, an ultrasonic sensor, and an Arduino controller.

You might not know it, but depending on the location, trains might roll on different gauges of tracks. That normally means railroad engines and cars can only roll on compatible width tracks. But this ingenious rail car has an undercarriage that automatically adjusts its width to adapt between 1-meter-wide and 1.43-meter-wide tracks in Switzerland.

This amazing art generator uses AI tech to create original images based on a phrase. Simply enter a description of your desired artwork, choose a style, and click “create.” In less than a minute, it produces unique works of art that you can download, share, or print. There’s an NFT minting feature in the works.

Guitarists have all kinds of effects pedals to choose from, adding echo, harmonics, warbles, and other sounds to their music. But as far as we know, this is the first pedal that turns every note you play into a fart. It even lets you adjust the gas output and toggle between wet and dry flatulence.

If you want a portable Mac, you can pick up a Mac Book. But Scott Yu-Jan wanted something with better reliability. So took his M1 Mac Mini and converted it into a portable by creating a 3D-printed bracket that holds the computer and an iPad Mini for its display. Now, if only the computer ran on batteries…

With their green and copper color scheme, circuit boards have a distinctive look. It turns out that there’s a good reason that so many of them are the same color. Today I Found Out offers an in-depth explanation of how circuit boards are made, what they’re made from, and why they look like they do.

Ivan Miranda built himself a massive 3D printer, so what better to use it for but to make a 3D-printed tank that’s big enough to sit inside of and drive? He’s been working on the tank for some time but only recently added the seat and control pedals. He plans on adding a turret and a cannon soon.

The VW bus is back, only this time it’s an EV. The compact, 5-passenger ID. Buzz will have a 150kW motor and a 77 kWh battery, charging from 5% to 80% in 30 minutes. It offers car-like aerodynamics and will come in a cargo version as well. Coming to Europe in fall 2022 and the US in 2023 with a 3-row option.

Do you like the artful, monochrome look of engravings like the illustrated portraits on currency? Texturelabs shows us how to achieve that exact look by creating a custom wavy texture, using the Oil Paint filter, and a few other tricks inside of Adobe Photoshop.

The latest Mac for creative pros is small, but faster at most things than a Mac Pro. It can be configured with a 10-core M1 Max or 20-core M1 Ultra chip, and has multiple USB-C, Thunderbolt 4, and USB-A ports for connectivity. The 27″ 5K Studio Display has a 12MP camera with a 3-mic array, 6-speaker audio, and more.

Getting around in a wheelchair poses its challenges, especially when it comes to putting your chair away after sitting in a car. The AbiLoader by AbiliQuip can lift up a wheelchair parked next to the driver’s door and stow or retrieve it from the trunk in just 25 seconds.

As it is, the current-gen M1 Mac Mini computer is pretty compact for how powerful it is. But thanks to its thermal efficiency compared to the old model, it’s built into a case that’s bigger than it needs. Quinn Nelson from Snazzy Labs stripped down his Mac Mini and created a new enclosure that’s 78% smaller in volume.

We always thought that drum machines came along sometime in the 1970s, but it turns out that there was one model you could buy as early as 1959. Look Mum No Computer opens the doors to his personal museum for a look at the Wurlitzer Side Man to see how the ingenious way it made rhythms with electromechanical systems.

Shane from Stuff Made Here has made a career out of cheating at sports through the power of science and engineering. His latest build is a robust machine that can fling frisbees at speeds up to 115 mph. But can he use it without it breaking his arm?

A normal turbo-jet engine runs entirely on ignited fuel. Integza built something a little different – a jet engine that uses an electric motor to spin its compressor. He made its main chambers out of empty butane cans, while its fuel source is a mix of butane and propane. Along the way, he built a low-budget spot welder.

This unique contemporary ceiling lamp from Italy features a borosilicate glass shade and ribs that help to diffuse and distribute light. Its bright LED light source can change color temperatures using your smartphone or smart home assistant, and it comes with a clear, copper-tinted, or gold-tinted shade.