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Showing posts from June, 2025

IoT Forge | Unboxed Intelligence: Future of Robotics, AI & Tools That Think Outside the Chip

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  In this episode of Bots, Boards & Brainstorms, we dive into the latest breakthroughs from Google I/O 2025 — including Aloha 2, the open-source robot powered by Gemini AI, and the surprisingly powerful MuJoCo simulator (yes, you can control Spot from your laptop). We break down what it really takes for robots to “see” and “act,” with new research on smarter vision sensors and motion planning using diffusion models. Plus, an autonomous drone that learns in-flight and a shoutout to some wild PCB designs — like a DIY cat feeder and a wearable GPS badge. Whether you're an AI enthusiast, hardware tinkerer, or just want to know how robots are getting smarter (and cooler), this episode delivers sharp insights with zero fluff. Aloha 2 – Stanford's Dual-Arm Robot Platform MuJoCo – Physics Engine for Robotics Simulation “Just Give Me the Outline” – AI Planning for Robot Manipulation (MIT) MIT: Robots Solve Manipulation Tasks in Seconds MIT: AI Control System Stabilizes Drones in Un...

“When the Plants Text You Back” — Building Smarter Greenhouses

Please find my new article on Medium - “When the Plants Text You Back” — Building Smarter Greenhouses .

Battle of the Boards: ESP32 vs. Raspberry Pi Pico W

Please find my new article on Medium - Battle of the Boards: ESP32 vs. Raspberry Pi Pico W .

“It Blinked. Now What?” — Understanding the First Steps in IoT Debugging

Please find my new article on Medium - “It Blinked. Now What?” — Understanding the First Steps in IoT Debugging .

IoT Forge | Packet Transport, Fire Bots, LoRa Farms & Smarter Homes: Edge IoT in Action | Podcast@IoTForge

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In this episode, we explore projects and products that move intelligence closer to the action—from backyard greenhouses to wildfire zones. In this episode: - ESPHome 2025.5.0 introduces Packet Transport for UART/UDP device-to-device comms—perfect for farm-scale automation with no Wi-Fi stress. https://esphome.io/changelog/2025.5.0.html - A LoRa-based soil monitoring project using Raspberry Pi Pico, solar power, and Home Assistant. https://www.briandorey.com/post/pi-pico-lora-remote-soil-monitor - How a DIY Everything Remote simplified an overcomplicated projector setup—made with ESP32, ESPHome, and a 3D-printed case. https://www.thestockpot.net/videos/theeverythingremote - Meet The Guardian, a fire-seeking robot with YOLO-based flame detection, built to help battle wildfires autonomously. https://blog.adafruit.com/2025/05/25/the-guardian-presenting-a-robot-for-wildland-firefighting/ - New launches: Homey Pro mini and SmartThings developer tools aimed at simplifying smart home integrat...

Your Coffee Machine’s Got a Secret: Everyday Devices That Talk Behind Your Back

Please find my new article on Medium - Your Coffee Machine’s Got a Secret: Everyday Devices That Talk Behind Your Back .

IoT Forge | What’s Inside Tokyo’s Hidden Advanced Tech Lab? | TEPIA Gallery Tour

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πŸŽ₯ Exploring Japan’s Advanced Tech Playground – Inside the TEPIA Advanced Technology Gallery In this immersive walkthrough, we visit the TEPIA Advanced Technology Gallery in Tokyo, a hidden gem where science, engineering, and creativity converge. From personal flying machines and 3D printing to robotic assistants and hands-on tech workshops, this experience captures Japan’s cutting-edge innovation—up close and interactive. 🧠 What’s Inside: A sneak peek at futuristic prototypes like SkyDrive and assistive robots Medical tech, expression cameras, and energy-harvesting systems AI-enabled robots with modular designs and 360° maneuvering capabilities Smart traffic systems with person recognition and adaptive lighting Interactive learning stations for kids and families Real-time laser cutting, soldering, 3D printing demos, and hands-on build spaces ✨ Highlights: Creative Lab (2nd Floor): Fully equipped for DIY robotics, IoT, and coding Student-led innovations in robotics, automation, and ...

“Smart? Maybe. Secure? Nope.” — The Dark Side of Cheap IoT Devices

Please find my new article on Medium - “Smart? Maybe. Secure? Nope.” — The Dark Side of Cheap IoT Devices .

IoT Forge | Making of the Official IoTuesday Brown Bag

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πŸš€ Exciting news! We've just published a new blog post that dives deep into the wildly entertaining creation of the Official IoTuesday Brown Bag! πŸŽ‰ In this unique and fun journey, one enthusiastic individual takes the "Brown Bag Session" concept to a whole new level—crafting a custom wooden form and bringing the IoTuesday logo to life with skillful craftsmanship.  It's a delightful blend of creativity, passion, and just a hint of madness! Is it a bit over the top? Maybe. Is it incredibly awesome? Absolutely! Check out this epic blend of IoT love and artisanal flair that shows what happens when no one steps in to say, "Maybe just print a sticker." Don't miss the chance to witness this masterpiece in action! When you love IoT just a little too much… Watch as one brave soul takes “Brown Bag Session” a bit too literally — firing up a lathe, carving a custom wooden form like a caffeinated carpenter, and spraying paint like he's tagging the side of the M...

How to Overengineer a Crib Mobile for a Newborn… and It Spins Like a CNC! πŸ‘Ά⚙️

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  What do you get when a new dad with an engineering obsession builds a baby mobile? πŸ€– A stepper-motor-powered, Arduino-controlled, 3D-printed masterpiece that could probably launch satellites. Okay, maybe not — but it does rock the crib. In this project, Pavel Korshunov shows how he brought together a NEMA17 stepper motor, Arduino Nano, Fusion 360, carbon fiber rods, and pure dad energy to create the ultimate crib mobile. Is it overkill? Absolutely. Is it awesome? You bet. Perfect mix of DIY, IoT, and dad jokes. πŸ’‘πŸ‘Ά Tools & Materials: NEMA17 steeper motor TMC2209 Stepper motor driver Noctua Premium Quiet Fan to keep driver cool Arduino (Elegoo) UNO board during prototyping Arduino NANO in a final product Step-down DC/DC voltage converter to use 12 volt for motor and 5v for logic board 608zz bearings 8 mm Carbon Fiber tubes 5/16" OD Vinyl-Flex PVC tubing Creality Ender 3 3D printer πŸ“‘ Stay Connected with IoT Forge: ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/...

Full-Stack IoT, Roomba, Open-Source Bots & Smarter Surveillance

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  In this episode of IoT Forge Unplugged, we dive into the dynamic world of connected robotics and embedded innovation. From the quirky struggles of humanoid robots at the Beijing half-marathon to the exciting future of bio-based PCBs and cloud-connected devices, this session explores how the Internet of Things is transforming motion, automation, and intelligence. We cover the major stories shaping the IoT and robotics landscape, including: A full-stack Golioth cloud demo and its real-world industrial implications Reolink’s integration with Home Assistant for smarter surveillance Arduino’s bold step toward eco-friendly, bio-based PCB manufacturing Hugging Face’s acquisition of Pollen Robotics and its vision for open-source AI robots Surprising ways Roombas are being reprogrammed to tackle household tasks Stumbling and Overheating, Most Humanoid Robots Fail to Finish Half-Marathon in Beijing Repurposed Roombas: Scientists program domestic robots for additional household tasks ...

Google I/O 2025 Recap: AI Is a New Normal

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Inside Google I/O 2025’s AI Sandbox: Gemini Robots, Smart Glasses & AI Video Magic Step into the AI future with us at Google I/O 2025 as we explore the AI Sandbox experience — a hands-on playground where cutting-edge AI meets the real world. In this video, you'll see: πŸ€– Gemini for Robotics in action: giving verbal instructions to a robot that responds (and sometimes gets confused). πŸ€ AI Basketball Coach: a system analyzing your throw mechanics and giving real-time tips on improving your shot. 🎬 Google Flow: next-gen AI video generation with creative storytelling tools and synchronized motion — think “Doctor Strange” meets generative media. 🍏 Gemini Smart Glasses: AI-powered wearables that recognize objects and help with tasks using on-device inference. πŸ” Search Playground: experimenting with new AI-powered search capabilities and multimodal intent detection. ✍️ Gemini Canvas for Developers: see how code, queries, and research come together into editable blog posts, busine...

Did Google Just Soft-Launch the Future? (I Saw It at Google I/O 2025)

Please find my new article on Medium - Did Google Just Soft-Launch the Future? (I Saw It at Google I/O 2025) .