Getting your STEM skills up to speed is now easier than ever with Microduino's mCookie. These Arduino-compatible electronics kits make building mini machines a snap -- literally -- with magnetic connectors and interlocking pins that match up with LEGO blocks. The mCookie family of DIY modules, sensors and accessories was Kickstarted back in 2015 and began shipping to consumers at the end of the year. Now anyone can pick up one of the various kits (Basic, Advanced or Expert) and assemble projects like a music box, voice-activated camera, paw-waving fortune cat and more. Microduino also offers additional components to expand the possibilities to keep pace with your imagination. This week, one lucky reader will win a Family Kit (including all three mCookie sets) to launch their smart-machine-making career. Just head down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning.

Winner: Congratulations to Robin B. of Chico, CA!

Getting your STEM skills up to speed is now easier than ever with Microduino's mCookie. These Arduino-compatible electronics kits make building mini machines a snap -- literally -- with magnetic connectors and interlocking pins that match up with LEGO blocks. The mCookie family of DIY modules, sensors and accessories was Kickstarted back in 2015 and began shipping to consumers at the end of the year. Now anyone can pick up one of the various kits (Basic, Advanced or Expert) and assemble projects like a music box, voice-activated camera, paw-waving fortune cat and more. Microduino also offers additional components to expand the possibilities to keep pace with your imagination. This week, one lucky reader will win a Family Kit (including all three mCookie sets) to launch their smart-machine-making career. Just head down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning.

Winner: Congratulations to Robin B. of Chico, CA!

Hi there,

I'm making an arduino robot with 2 identical lipo batteries.  The robot runs off one battery, and when that battery gets too low it will switch to the 2nd (fully charged) battery.  It will then make it's way to base and swap the flat battery with a fully charged one, so it can switch back when the 2nd battery is low.

Can you guys give me some guidance on the best way to go about building something like this.  I'm thinking of use a latching relay to switch between battery 1 and 2, and a voltage level detector to know when to switch.

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Hi,

I'm building my first robot.

I'm not sure if I may link to Aliexpress for the parts I used, so I'll list them.

Parts :

- Uno (Arduino Uno copy)

- L298N board

- tank chassis with 2 "universal motor 130, support 3-8v voltage"

- HC-05 Bluetooth module (optional)

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Riffing off of the word clock idea, this Maker created a backlit display for the local weather forecast.

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The post This Backlit Display is Like a Word Clock for Weather appeared first on Make: DIY Projects, How-Tos, Electronics, Crafts and Ideas for Makers.

In this project, Jason Poel Smith shows you how to make a system that will monitor the temperature of your pipes and alert you if they get near freezing.

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The post Use Arduino to Avoid Frozen Plumbing This Winter appeared first on Make: DIY Projects, How-Tos, Electronics, Crafts and Ideas for Makers.

I came across this circuit on google. It controls motor speed by simple flip-flop that gives a PWM signal.

The question is can this be used as a servo control ?

first use 5 volts supply instead of 12 volts ...then by replacing the 3RD NPN transistor with a servo. the + goes up, the - goes down and the signal feeds from the flip flop...can we do that ??

I came across this circuit on google. It controls motor speed by simple flip-flop that gives a PWM signal.

The question is can this be used as a servo control ?

first use 5 volts supply instead of 12 volts ...then by replacing the 3RD NPN transistor with a servo. the + goes up, the - goes down and the signal feeds from the flip flop...can we do that ??

Most of us spend far too much time in front of the TV. So I designed a system that will automatically limit when and how much the TV can be on.

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The post Limit TV Time with an Arduino-Controlled Relay appeared first on Make: DIY Projects, How-Tos, Electronics, Crafts and Ideas for Makers.

Makers hacked real problems faced by people with special needs to create tools that will help improve mobility, independence, and comfort.

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The post 5 Life-Changing Accessibility Inventions Made in 72 Hours appeared first on Make: DIY Projects, How-Tos, Electronics, Crafts and Ideas for Makers.