Gallery: Projectors, Pandora and Pyrotechnics — 10 Pimped-Out Projects for Raspberry Pi
01timelapse-dolly
2013 will be an exciting year in the world of gadgets — new [game consoles](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/gamelife/2012/11/wii-u-unboxing/) are launching, gadgets to [automate homes](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/10/hue-led-mood-lighting-lights-up-your-life/) and [improve health](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2012/10/fitbit-zip/) are popping up regularly, and this could finally be the year the mythical [Apple TV](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/12/apple-tv-rumor-designs/) ships. While these are all undeniably cool, the gadgets that will really transform the future are being prototyped in hackerspaces and garages all over the world. Increasingly, the Raspberry Pi is the platform of choice for these forward-thinking gadgeteers. Makers are using the tiny $35 platform to help the blind, manage their e-mail, play games — even put on pyrotechnic stage shows that would make the most hardened hair band weep with joy. These 10 projects show the enormous potential of this tiny board and should keep your weekend full of prototyping fun. __Above:__ Time-Lapse Dolly ---------------- Moving time-lapse videos are a sweet art form, but kind of tricky to pull off. Professional-grade rigs cost over a [thousand dollars](http://dynamicperception.com/products/stage-zero-ultimate-bundle) and while there are some [sweet](http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/207087339/radian-a-motion-time-lapse-device-for-everyone?ref=search) [models](http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1530895202/astro-time-lapse-motion-control?ref=search) on Kickstarter, they aren't exactly known for timely delivery. Rick Adam developed a [home brew alternative](https://sites.google.com/site/raspilapse/home) that can be built with the Raspberry Pi and a couple hundred dollars in motors, aluminum framing, and battery packs. He does warn that he is not an expert in electronics, Python, or Metal work — essentially 99 percent of the project — But his videos prove the product works as intended. http://www.youtube.com/embed/75oYC2bKOEE Want to go a step further and create HDR time-lapse videos? [Khürt Williams](http://islandinthenet.com/2012/08/23/hdr-photography-with-raspberry-pi-and-gphoto2/) developed auto-bracketing software for the Pi that can help craft the ultimate hipster masterpiece. *Photo: [RasPiLapse](https://sites.google.com/site/raspilapse/)*
02talking-book-case
Audiobooks for the Blind ------------------------ Over 20 million people in the U.S. deal with some level of [blindness](http://www.afb.org/section.aspx?SectionID=15) and many lack the financial resources or technical know how to use traditional assistive technologies, or the usability settings of an iPhone. Maker Michael Clemens had a 90-year-old grandmother fitting that description so he got busy building a dead simple, one-button alternative. Audio books are loaded via SD card, pressing the button starts the book, pressing it again pauses it, and holding it for four seconds skips back one track. Clemens also graciously shared the code needed to bring [Harry Potter to the Raspberry Pi](http://blogs.fsfe.org/clemens/2012/10/30/the-one-button-audiobook-player/) on his blog. *Photo: [Fellowship of FSFE](http://blogs.fsfe.org/clemens/2012/10/30/the-one-button-audiobook-player/)*
03rpirotechnics
RPirotechnics ------------- The Raspberry Pi exploded onto the scene in 2012 and the creators of [FireHero 3](http://www.chrismarion.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=170:firehero-3&catid=43:pyrotechnics&Itemid=226), a RPi controlled pyrotechics setup, want to keep the fire burning in 2013. This invention gives any band the chance to put on a show that would make Iron Maiden envious. Their rig features two free-standing flame cannons, each capable of sending fire 100 feet into the air, four more with a 40-foot range, and six mini-cannons, just for good measure. All told, their fiery framework pumps out more than 1,000,000 BTUs an hour — along with some righteous tunes. http://www.youtube.com/embed/05zCLWFPDZw It goes without saying that this is a seriously risky project where debugging could cost makers their eyebrows or lives. The tutorial on their site is detailed, but pressurized liquified propane, skull jewelry, and Tawny Kitaen are not included. *Photo: [Chris Marion](http://www.chrismarion.net/)* HT [Hack A Day](http://hackaday.com/2012/12/22/firehero-raspberry-pi-controlled-pyrotechnics/)
Image: Amy Lobben04doorbell
The Doorbell of Doom -------------------- Why settle for a humdrum "ding-dong" when a little Raspberry Pi hacking can turn a doorbell into so much more? Conor O'Neill, maker of RPi and [cheese-powered race cars](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/design/2013/01/rc-car-raspberry-pi-cheese/), modified his [doorbell with an RPi](http://conoroneill.net/the-raspberrypi-doorbell-of-dooooooooommmmmmmm/) to play sound clips from *The Simpsons* (Mr. Burn's telling Smithers to "Release the hounds") and *Home Alone* ("Keep the change, you filthy animal!") among others. For those who prefer pure functionality over frivolity, there are also RPi-based [doorbell hacks](http://tech.xtremelabs.com/an-xtreme-doorbell/) that will turn each push into a text message or e-mail. *Photo: [Conor O'Neill](http://conoroneill.net/)*
05pandora-airplay
Pandora + Airplay + RPi ----------------------- Pandora, the internet radio service, has an app for almost every smartphone and tablet platform that exists, but this project turns the service into a [single-use app-liance](http://www.instructables.com/id/Pandoras-Box-An-Internet-Radio-player-made-with/?ALLSTEPS). The Raspberry Pi connects to Pandora and lets users control the basic functions, like changing a station or skipping a track, with arcade-style buttons. Maker [Shaun Gehrig](http://www.shaungehring.com/2013/01/03/raspberry-pi-project-1-pandora-streamer/) tweaked the code to add the ability to turn the device into an Airplay receiver for Apple devices as well. For all its fun technical hacks, the most fun part of this toy is the ironic CD spindle housing for a device that streams music files from the cloud. *Photo: [Shaun Gehring](http://www.shaungehring.com/)*
06gmail-notifier
Inbox Zero Taunting Device -------------------------- Why settle for the constant, soul-crushing guilt that you're behind on e-mail when you could have a [Raspberry Pi-controlled LED light](http://mitchtech.net/raspberry-pi-physical-gmail-notifier/) make your shame visible for all to see? This infernal contraption glows when unread e-mail fills your inbox and requires just 10 lines of code to perpetually remind you of hundreds, or even thousands, of items that need attention before you can reach inbox zero and turn off the damn light. Real gluttons for punishment can swap in a red LED to give the entire mechanism a HAL 9000 feel. *Photo: [Mitch Tech](http://mitchtech.net/)*
07blinking-bulb
Tweet Powered Lighting ---------------------- There is no greater testament to the power of the Raspberry Pi than its ability to make Twitter hashtags relevant. This project used the RPi to [control a Christmas tree](http://maker.ajfisher.me/2012/12/twitter-christmas-baubles/) by measuring the amount of tweets featuring holiday specific tags, like #Xmas or #Santa, and lighting corresponding ornaments. While the holiday season might be past us, it will only take a little creativity for makers to find alternative uses for this [code](https://gist.github.com/4335388). http://www.youtube.com/embed/1nhagF-bjNk *Photo: [A.J. Fisher](http://maker.ajfisher.me)*
08super-nintendo
Super Nintendo Computer ----------------------- There have been plenty of [Raspberry Pi arcade cabinets](http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pimoroni/picade-the-arcade-cabinet-kit-for-your-raspberry-p) based on MAME emulators, but few that work like old-school consoles, with simple plug-and-play cartridges. The software for this [project](http://familab.org/blog/2012/12/snes-super-nintendo-emulated-system/) will let gamers skip the tedious prompts from a Windows interface to launch their games and was designed to avoid any hacky, Dremeled, modifications to the case. Players can download ROMs for all their favorite games, but if they happen to have a classic Super Nintendo cartridge handy, that will work too. When a player is done with an epic *StarFox* run this mod also functions as a general-use computer capable of running spreadsheets instead of sprites. *Photo: [FamiLab](http://familab.org)*
09raspberry-pi-cell-base-station-wired-design
Pocket-Sized Cellphone Base Station ----------------------------------- Cellphone base stations are massive structures, but with a little hacking the [Raspberry Pi](http://www.phonearena.com/news/DIY-enthusiasts-make-their-own-cell-phone-tower-using-a-Raspberry-Pi_id37976) will work in a pinch. It's an impressive technical process, but there are some limitations — Specialized radio equipment and a lot of hand coding are required. Also important to note, the modified RPi can only be used in a specially shielded room; otherwise federal regulators and wireless companies might come calling. http://www.youtube.com/embed/GCcKgrzbix4 *Photo: [Phone Arena](http://www.phonearena.com/)*
10projector
Raspberry Pi Projector ---------------------- This project won't have the resolution of a 4K TV, but Reddit user [Ha1o2surfer](http://www.reddit.com/r/raspberry_pi/comments/15h6f8/perfect_pi_projector/) figured out how to put the "Pi" in "Pico Projector" by hooking his Raspberry Pi up to a [pocket-sized projector](http://www.brookstone.com/hdmi-pocket-projector). There are no special hacks and any number of projectors could work, but any candidate projector will need to output 5 volts/700mA to power the Pi. Sure, a maker could use a flashing LED, pixelated LCD, or even a touchscreen, but why settle for such a small screen when the Raspberry Pi creates such big opportunities? This might not be the most technically taxing project, but loading media-center software like [Raspbmc](http://www.raspbmc.com/) to a Pi hooked up to this projector will give makers a huge picture for a small price. *Photo: [Imgur](http://imgur.com/)*
