Blog Posts

GRiD laptops were famous for their orange plasma displays, being one of the first laptops period, and being featured in the film Aliens.

Their unique, rugged cases make ideal candidates for conversions to more modern internal hardware, which is what YouTuber SimonsVids accomplished masterfully, with the help of a Raspberry Pi, a couple of Teensy LCs, and the assistance of PJRC forum member thedalles77.

In order to preserve the original keyboard and unique IsoPoint roller bar mouse, thedalles77 wrote custom sketches for each, based on the larger How to Make a USB Laptop Keyboard Controller project. The associated GitHub repo also contains a detailed write-up on the challenges faced, as well as wiring info and aforementioned sketches. The finished product can be seen in all its glory in the video below.

Felix Figus and Joris Wegner created this beautiful self-contained portrait-drawing robot called The Pankraz Piktograph.

A Raspberry Pi 3 handles image capture, preview, and processing duties, outputting a vectorized interpretation of the subject using openFrameworks and the canny edge detector algorithm. A Teensy 3.2 uses the resultant vertex data to drive the drawing arms via pulleyed stepper motors, as well as controlling a servo-actuated spring-loaded pen. The resulting drawing is an event to behold in itself, beyond serving as a keepsake. Learn more, and see example artwork at the project’s website.

We’ve seen some curious audio interfaces, but this one is particularly fascinating: mrezanvari has created PendulumSynth, which translates the swinging of a pendulum into USB MIDI or CV for use in any synthesizer or DAW!

The pendulum itself consists of a 10-inch plastic ball with an IMU that wirelessly transmits its data to the Teensy 4.0-powered host. A slip ring and 4-pin GX16 connector allow the pendulum to move freely. mrezanvari hopes to create an nRF24L01-based network of pendulum nodes for even more eccentric performance capabilities. Schematics, BOM, and source code can all be found in the project’s GitHub repo.

ARTI is an audio recorder and terminal interface created by StanoCPW. It is designed to record both the audio and signaling from a radio terminal.

While implementing audio capture was relatively straightforward, the data had to be intercepted over I2C between the radio terminal’s transmitter and operation console, in order to obtain meta information about the transmission. ARTI records audio and data to a microSD card, and can connect to a PC over USB for data management, or will automatically delete old records after a year or when the card is full.

We saw the first version of Peter Wiessenthaner’s Electronic String Instrument back in 2020, but Peter and his collaborators are back with a new version 2.0.

Improvements include 189 RGB LEDs to provide feedback to the user, as well as new tuning systems which are represented by distinct LED colors. A Kinect V2 camera provides gesture control. The Teensy 3.6 takes the camera input data from a laptop and controls five motors and the LEDs. New programs allow traditional playing of the instrument or guided playing by following the LEDs, as demonstrated in concert performances and public exhibitions throughout Europe and the US.

Who doesn’t love the scale realism and joy of driving model trains? But like the real thing, complicated networks can present all manner of issues, resulting in miniature delays, damaged tiny cargo, and … well, not having fun! That’s why Chuck Davis created the Simple Signal System (S3).

More than just a model railroad control system, the project can actually be used for lighting or almost any kind of control project.

The S3 features eight inputs and 16 powered outputs, with two network connections that enable the addition of up to 50 expansion boards. RS485 multipoint and simple modular cables connect the expansions using a simple communications protocol. Custom PC software allows point-and-click configuration with no programming or special knowledge required, resulting in the generation of custom firmware to be deployed to the Teensy 4.0 that provides the main board’s brains. A larger Teensy 4.1-based version, with 16 inputs and 32 outputs, is also available. Find out more at railroadcontrolsystems.com.

Everyone loves a crowdfunding campaign that delivers what it promised, and surely the only thing better is a campaign that delivers using Teensy!  Conductive Labs MIDI Router Control Center (MRCC) did for more than 240 backers. But what does MRCC do? Let’s dive in!

Zenbob describes it as “super deluxe high performance MIDI router,” featuring both traditional 5-pin DIN MIDI and modern 3.5mm input and output jacks, as well as 4 USB host ports for USB MIDI devices (or even a keyboard!). A USB client interface provides 12 virtual USB MIDI ports to your PC or tablet device. And if that’s not, an RJ45 port allows the addition of even more MIDI ports, anywhere you can reach an Ethernet cable. An OLED display and encoder, plus a button and RGB LED for each input and output mean you can do all of your MIDI routing without having to touch a PC! Find out more and order yours at the Conductive Labs web site!

Every project is sexy in its own way, but we have to admit that LED projects possess a certain overt sexiness.  Luca Paolini is putting everything on full display with what he describes as “sexy, audio-responsive effects on LED strips” aka the Striptease library.

Luca has also developed custom hardware around our Audio Adapter Board, with PCBs available for Teensy 4.0 and 4.1 to house the 74HCT245 level shifter required for 5V WS2812Bs, as well as connectors and an IR receiver. His implementation features professional Neutrik speakON connectors for enhanced durability and current handling. Functionality is abstracted across several classes in a well-documented API, which can be found along with schematics and source on GitHub. Enjoy the combination of hardware and software in all of its sexy glory in the video below!

Line-Following Robots are a fun way to get started with robotics, as well as to compete with others to see how your skills stack up. Midhun has created a unique, well-documented LFR.

An array of IR LED/phototransistor pairs in the form of Pololu’s QTRX line sensors give the bot eyes, while perfboard is used not only to connect its various breakout boards, but also to form its chassis. Dual 6V 1580 RPM high-power 15:1 gear motors power the unit, with encoders for position and distance estimation and the 10DOF motion sensors from our own Prop Shield providing heading and position. A  SparkFun TeensyView displays telemetry, calibration and other functions. An overview of the LFR can be seen in the video below, with complete, detailed build instructions on Instructables.

We see a lot of Data Acquisition (DAQ) projects on the Teensy forum, but this offering from experienced engineer DrM really caught our eye.

This USB DAQ model has been specifically designed around the characteristics of Teensy 3.2’s ADCs and DAC, and when paired with a precision current amplifier can provide measurement into the pA and pF ranges.

Custom Python control software provides a cross-platform GUI and CLI, and can be automated by piping data in a column-formatted ASCII file. Typically this kind of functionality would require hardware in the range of $100s if not $1000s, and that’s before the frequently even more expensive software and seat licenses. While the board is currently just a prototype, DrM is interested in producing more if there is interest — so be sure to let them know in the forums if you’d like to get your hands on one!