Uladzislau Bayouski

Robotics on its own is impressive. Add IoT — and your robot doesn't just move, it thinks, reacts, and communicates with the world around it. These five projects are all buildable right now, with off-the-shelf hardware, open-source firmware, and a weekend of focus. Each one teaches you something real. 🤖 The 5 Projects 1. Smart Surveillance Robot A mobile sentry that roams your home or warehouse, streams live video over Wi-Fi to your phone, and fires motion alerts when something moves where it shouldn't. Ultrasonic sensors handle obstacle avoidance; cloud storage handles the footage. Skills: sensor integration, video streaming, remote control. 📹 2. Voice-Controlled IoT Robot No buttons, no joysticks — just your voice. Your smartphone converts commands to instructions, transmits them via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and the robot obeys. An IoT dashboard displays battery level and command history in real time. Skills: NLP basics, wireless protocols, real-time monitoring. Best applicatio...

You don't need a Philips Hue starter kit, a Google Nest subscription, or a smart home hub that costs more than your rent. You need a $5 ESP8266, a relay, and about an hour. The Short Version The DIY smart home stack — ESPHome, Tasmota, and Home Assistant — has matured to the point where you can build genuinely useful automations with minimal code, minimal cost, and zero vendor lock-in. Your data stays local. Your setup stays yours. Here's what you can actually build this weekend: Motion-triggered hallway light — PIR sensor + ESP8266 + relay. Walks in, light turns on. No app required, no subscription, no cloud round trip ⚡ Bathroom fan automation — DHT22 humidity sensor detects the post-shower spike, fan turns on automatically, turns off when levels drop back down Self-watering plant system — soil moisture sensor wired to a pump relay; set thresholds in YAML, get mobile notifications when soil is dry, override with a tap on your phone 🌱 Fridge temperature monitor — sens...

  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...

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...

🎥 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 ...

  What do you get when a new dad with an engineering obsession builds a baby mobile? 🤖 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. 💡👶 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 📡 Stay Connected with IoT Forge: ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/...