When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Awesome Tech

Junk Robot Security Guard

Junk Robot Security Guard

Handy Geng has a problem with unwanted visitors. After building a manned security patrol mech, the inventor decided to build something that would operate autonomously. So he got to work fabricating a security robot to stand guard at his main gate. Its chomping metal teeth, recorded dog barks, and water gun are designed to ward off strangers.

Performing on a Microphone from the 1920s

Performing on a Microphone from the 1920s

Recorded audio and radio programs from the early 20th century have a distinctive sound. Musician Sam Stafford got his hands on a vintage 1920s carbon microphone and shows how much of that sound was due to limitations in the era’s audio technology. When Sam gets out his banjolele and starts singing, it’s like he stepped into a time machine.

Advertisement

Thunderstruck on Tesla Coils

Thunderstruck on Tesla Coils

Franzoli Electronics rode down the highway, broke the limit, and hit the town with another electrifying performance by his Tesla coil band. This time, the high-voltage musicians added some lightning to the AC/DC classic Thunderstruck. The improved expressiveness and stereo capabilities represent a big upgrade from past Tesla coil concerts.

Apollo Command Module Alarm Panel Replica

Apollo Command Module Alarm Panel Replica
Buy

Outfit your spacecraft-inspired room with this multi-switch replica of the Apollo Command Module’s Master Alarm panel from Concord Aerospace. The panel has three on-off switches, three mom-off-mom contact switches, and a backlit momentary-contact alarm pushbutton. The industrial-grade switches can be wired to control lights or other electrical items.

Frustrating Scammers with The Password Game

Frustrating Scammers with The Password Game

Developer Neal Agarwal’s The Password Game is an intentionally frustrating parody of password complexity rules. Scam-buster Kitboga teamed up with Agarwal to integrate a version of his app into a fake banking website, then used it to drive scammers insane. We’re impressed how long some of these crooks stuck to it.

AI John Lennon Sings

AI John Lennon Sings

Voice mimicry is getting easier and easier to achieve thanks to rapid advancements in AI tech. Musician Kid Klava shows just how impressive the technology has become by taking a Lennon-inspired song he wrote and programming the late Beatles’ digital avatar to perform it.

Triangle Tank Robot: Version 2.0

Triangle Tank Robot: Version 2.0

Engineer James Bruton has built a variety of interesting robotic vehicles over the years, including an omnidirectional tank that moved around on three tracks. But that design had difficulty climbing uneven terrain, so he took his readers’ suggestions on the track design and made an improved version that’s a bit more agile.

Advertisement

Copycat Robot Joystick

Copycat Robot Joystick

One of the more entertaining engineering projects we’ve seen is that useless robot that un-flips its switches as soon as they’re flipped. Maker B created a similarly useless machine by fabricating a robotic joystick that records and plays back its user’s movements. The build process is impressive, but if you’re short on time, skip to 16:08 to see it in action.

10-in-1 Keyboard + Electronics Cleaning Kit

10-in-1 Keyboard + Electronics Cleaning Kit
Buy

We hate when we get snack dust between the keys on our computer keyboards. This convenient kit includes multiple brushes for getting into cracks and crevices, along with a keycap puller, polishing cloths, a cleaning spray, and a lens cleaning pen for cameras. It all fits into a carrying case with a retractable main brush.

Captain Disillusion: Empty World Videos

Captain Disillusion: Empty World Videos

There’s a trend on TikTok where people have posted videos of typically populous locations that appear utterly devoid of people. They’re images straight out of dystopian science fiction, but they’re not real. Captain Disillusion explains the VFX techniques that go into producing these convincing “Empty World” illusions.

TCL Q Class 3.1 Sound Bar + Subwoofer

TCL Q Class 3.1 Sound Bar + Subwoofer
Buy

Most of the best (and all of the cheapest) flat-screen TVs need an external soundbar for a movie theater experience at home. A premium 36” sound bar and wireless subwoofer like the two-component TCL Q Class Q6310 does the trick, delivering 350 watts of audio power for an economical price.

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch
Buy

Pelican’s Marine Phone Pouch protects smartphones while kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying other outdoor activities. It’s IP68-certified waterproof and features built-in air cushions to help it float. A transparent face allows touchscreen use, and a clever design provides side button access. It’s also available in an XL size and multipacks.

Advertisement

Bosch FlexiClick 5-in-1 Drill/Driver

Bosch FlexiClick 5-in-1 Drill/Driver
Buy

Bosch’s FlexiClick cordless 12V Drill/Driver System is compact yet incredibly versatile, thanks to its modular design. It has two speed settings, a built-in LED light, and comes with a keyless chuck, a locking bit holder, a right angle attachment, and an offset angle attachment.

Speaking with AI NPCs

Speaking with AI NPCs

Non-player characters (NPCs) in games are often quite stupid. But this video from TMARTN2 shows how they’re about to get much smarter. Combining voice recognition, voice synthesis, and an AI large language model, Replica Studios’ Smart NPCs carry out real-time, non-scripted conversations. It’s early days for the tech, but it’s a glimpse into the future.

8bitdo Retro Mechanical Keyboards

8bitdo Retro Mechanical Keyboards
Buy

Game controller makers 8bitdo are now making keyboards in the style of 8-bit game consoles. Their 87-key mechanical keyboards are inspired by the NES and its Japanese counterpart, the Famicom, and come with a programmable dual “Super Button.” Compatible with Windows and Android devices via Bluetooth, 2.4G wireless, or wired connections.

DIY Submersible Computer

DIY Submersible Computer

In general, electronics and water don’t mix. DIY Perks shows how it’s possible to build a water-cooled PC that can be submerged underwater. He started with power-hungry PC components, then built a water-tight acrylic and copper case with copper cooling pipes that flow water around the pricey computer inside. The finished system looks incredible.

Thunderstruck on Devices

Thunderstruck on Devices

The electromechanical band known as Device Orchestra returns with another fun cover song. They used just three instruments to replicate the AC/DC track Thunderstruck. This time, the electric toothbrushes and credit card terminal are running on battery power, so they really should just be called DC.

Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Ceramic Grill + Smoker

Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Ceramic Grill + Smoker
Buy

The Konnected Joe ceramic charcoal grill and smoker features a pushbutton automatic fire starter, a digital display for setting temperatures from 225º to 700ºF, and Wi-Fi remote monitoring. A digitally-controlled fan helps regulate temperature and airflow, and its grill surface is big enough to cook 13 burgers at once.

Google Maps x Cesium x Unreal Engine 5

Google Maps x Cesium x Unreal Engine 5

The data that Google Maps has amassed is pretty amazing. Bad Decisions Studio shows us how it’s possible to use the Google Maps API and Cesium to bring the power of its global data into Unreal Engine 5 to add your own lighting and make high-fidelity 3D renderings of any location on the planet.

Heath Ledger’s Joker without Makeup

Heath Ledger’s Joker without Makeup

Heath Ledger’s performance as Joker in The Dark Knight is legendary. Thanks to deepfake technology, we can now see what his performance might have looked like had Heath not been wearing any makeup. GdaTyler VFX put together this video which used an AI trained on the actor’s uncovered face. It’s far from perfect, but it’s still fascinating to watch.

MuteKit Videoconferencing Control Kit

MuteKit Videoconferencing Control Kit

The MuteKit by On Air Warning aims to improve video calls. The MuteSwitch is a three-button, illuminated keypad with buttons to mute/unmute your microphone, camera, or both. The On Air Warning light indicates when your camera and mic are live, while MuteBar software puts the controls front-and-center and lets you freeze your image as an “instant selfie.”

Sony Alpha 6700 Mirrorless Camera

Sony Alpha 6700 Mirrorless Camera

The Alpha 6700 is the latest in Sony’s compact mirrorless camera line has a 26MP APS-C sensor that shoots oversampled 6K/4K video at 60 FPS, 4K video at up to 120 FPS, 1080p at 240 FPS, and pro-quality stills at up to 11 FPS. AI tech improves tracking and object recognition for perfect focus. Available body only, with a 16-50mm or 18-135mm power zoom lens.

Making Flat Speakers from Foam Board

Making Flat Speakers from Foam Board

Inspired by a Tech Ingredients video that claimed that a couple of pieces of foam board and inexpensive audio exciters were the “World’s Best Speakers,” AmplifyDIY decided to put the design to the test. It’s hard to know how they sound in person, but he certainly was impressed at the audio that $60 worth of parts can produce.

ADVERTISEMENT

Home | About | Suggest | Contact | Team | Links | Privacy | Disclosure
Advertise | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Sites We Like

Awesome Stuff: The Awesomer | Cool Cars: 95Octane
Site Design & Content © 2008-2024 Awesomer Media / The Awesomer™