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Arducorder, Next Open Source Science Tricorder-like Device, Nears Completion
upontheturtlesback writes: The Arducorder Mini, an Arduino-compatible pocket-sized handheld sensing tool and the next in line of open source science tricorder-like devices designed by Dr. Peter Jansen, is nearing completion. Where the previous models have included about a dozen sensors spanning atmospheric, electromagnetic, and spatial readings, an exciting video of the new prototype shows this model includes sensors for spectroscopy, low-resolution thermal imaging, and radiation sensing. The development is open with the project build logs and most recent source schematics, board layouts, and firmware available on github. This project is an entry in the Hack a Day Prize for a trip to space.
Star Trek is for steers and queers and I don't see any steers around here.
As said this could be an interesting device. But I'm not really sure what this will allow anyone to do. Sure it's all well and good that you can collect data with it, but you'll have to be able to interpret this data into something that's useful. And that's not even touching the fact that this thing would be fragile as hell without a very well design and weather proofed case.
But as with any project like this I comment the designers for thinking up a new and interesting device. And who knows. Maybe the next generation of device might be useful.
I comment the designers for thinking up a new and interesting device
They didn't think up a new and interesting device. They're trying to duplicate something they saw on a sci-fi TV show, thats primary use was exploration of alien planets - not exactly something I'd use on a regular basis. This is a solution in search of a problem - and it doesn't even do what it's supposed to do worth a damn.
Jim, i'm a doctor, not a LIKE.
A tricorder's nice and all, but you wanna see real technological innovation? Here, I got your technological innovation right here:
https://vine.co/v/O7jjJMi5wTa
You are welcome on my lawn.
Is there currently technology that senses the distance and density of matter and requires nothing be behind the object? If this device had the capability to graphically display this information I think that would impress more than anything else. You could scan for a broken bone, find lost objects in the grass (assuming they were more dense than the grass/dirt), or find studs or electrical wiring behind drywall in buildings.
Buy your next Linux PC at eightvirtues.com
Imagine what kind of leaps and bounds "hobby" electronics would take if it dropped compatibility for the damn Arduino? Come to the modern age and stop thinking in terms of an 8-bit DIP package dozen MHz microcontroller...
Maybe the next generation of device might be useful.
I saw what you did there. :-)
I'd say something about the damn kids, but we had the BasicStamp ...
They're trying to duplicate something they saw on a sci-fi TV show, thats primary use was exploration of alien planets
Some places on Earth are just as alien as anything you saw on Trek. How explored is the ocean floor?
Check out ground penetrating radar. Also, TSA uses backscatter, which works in a similar way - it doesn't REQUIRE anything to be behind the subject, you get a clearer image if you have a plain background (where plain means uniform reflection of the frequency used). Ultrasound works some some applications, but the image is rather blurry unless you have a very expensive unit.
I don't know if either is available in an inexpensive, low resolution hobbyist version. I'd bet there are some old units, two generations behind, on ebay. Now I'm off to Google for hobbyist radar .
A tricorder which combines low-quality short- range radar, backscatter, infrared and ultrasound might be very useful - infrared would see pipes in the wall, maybe the combination of radar and ultrasound would show the studs, etc.
Moar sensors!!!!!1!!!!!
RF receiver
radar/sonar/chronographs/stud/fish finders
hyperspectral imaging
holographic projector (see "The Chase")
interferometer
How explored is the ocean floor?
Or, for that matter, downtown LA?
Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
It doesn't have to be alien like.
The main purpose was to determine if the enviroment was hostile to them. Of course they did other crap but think about where we need to know if the enviroment is hostile.
Think off fire response, motor vehicle accidents, threat assesments for dignitaries, yet another way to find electronic listening devices, and so on.
Of course it might need a little work before it is ready and reliable but there is a use that may be right around tbe corner- litteraly
Low-cost terahertz radar imaging is going to be very useful in handheld devices. You really can see a short distance into many materials. Great for seeing pipes and electrical wiring in walls. The day will come when that's a standard tool one buys at Home Depot.
Until that's working, a cooled IR imager would be useful. Those are great for finding heat leaks in houses, but currently cost too much.
das raycis
Seriously, this whole DIY philosophy is a giant crock of shit. There is a reason why big business makes things, because they're good at it, and we're not.
Let's leave this to the professionals and do what we do best, which is buy their stuff and be content with that.
I can already think of four or five uses for this. Things I'd want to use it for, and that I can see from the video I'd be able to make use of without any extensive training.
Suggesting this doesn't have real utility only demonstrates a severe lack of imagination.
As said this could be an interesting device. But I'm not really sure what this will allow anyone to do.
The point isn't what you can do with it, the point is that it's fun to build it and to experiment with all of the sensors. Perhaps that experimentation will spark some ideas for building things that actually are useful, but even that's a second-order concern.
I'm curious. What would you like to use it for?
Why not cut out the display, speaker, and wifi, and interface with a cellphone via the headphone jack? Would seem to be a simpler and less costly option. Plus, you get all the advantages of a smartphone. Obviously, not needing a cellphone has its advantages too though.
As said this could be an interesting device. But I'm not really sure what this will allow anyone to do.
The point isn't what you can do with it, the point is that it's fun to build it and to experiment with all of the sensors. Perhaps that experimentation will spark some ideas for building things that actually are useful, but even that's a second-order concern.
This.
What happened to the slashdot of old?
Note to ACs: I usually delete AC replies without reading them. If you want to talk to me, log in.
What happened to the slashdot of old?
Kids these days, that's what...
Now; welcome to my lawn...
No, the tricorder's primary use was exposition, not exploration.
TV Show Watcher: What the heck is going on there?
Star Trek Character: (consults tricorder) There appears to be a radiation surge from other there, indicating a portal will soon appear and introduce this week's source of conflict.
TV Show Watcher: Thanks, informative tricorder!
It would be really cool to see a Theremin-based monitor for this, like this site:
https://www.googlesciencefair.com/projects/en/2014/04d4d5dd602bdab802a76b48c24b3e1e29679611a5bfa55c34ed4f40df8294cf
They talk about being able to monitor more than just breathing with it.
This is pretty close: http://www.thermoscientific.co...
Mission: To provide products that consume time and energy as entertainingly as permitted by the laws of thermodynamics.
--The multimeter could be an interesting device. But I'm not really sure what this will allow anyone to do. Sure it's all well and good that you can collect data with it, but you'll have to be able to interpret this data into something that's useful. --
The devices already all have uses, but scientific instruments are typically expensive. Something like this could potentially replace a whole lot of instruments, just as the multimeter did, and it could also be cheap enough to be useful for school or home science kit usage.
Basically, it already has a ton of usages right out of the box plus, if it achieves wide distribution, people will think up all kinds of new uses for it.
For $10, you can buy a radar-equipped stud-finder and use it to locate the frame behind your sheetrock.
Laser rangefinders can also locate distance to laser-reflective sources and there are many other similar technologies, such as those used in autofocus cameras.
I don't know of any portable technology that could be used to find a broken bone without exposing people to ionizing radiation, but I'm sure we'll figure it out one day.
This would be the holy grail for any kind of modern "ghost hunter", it does electromagnetic, thermal, radiation, infrared.. etc..
Doesn't matter if they don't have a fucking clue how it actually works, it'll be a status symbol for the disenfranchised-with-reality crowd who love to play scientist.
I used to be one of those people interested in ghost hunting, until I got more involved with it, and saw the sheer amount of wishful thinking, ignorance, and general lack of logic applied.
Look back up at my post, now look back down, you're on the Internet. Now look back up. I'm a signature.