Are you fond of do-it-yourself (DIY) gadget projects? Are you looking to challenge your skills? The great thing about gadget projects is that they’re both fun and useful. You can learn and challenge yourself even as you are creating something that you will be able to use in your day-to-day life. You can learn how to take many small components—from compression springs to network cards to encoders and power supply transmitters—and turn them into a tangible piece of technology.
With this in mind, here are six DIY gadget tech projects to challenge your skills and provide you with some useful tech once you’re done. Have fun with these.
Contents
1). Personal Computer
Beyond a doubt, building your own personal computer (PC) is one of the most incredible DIY gadget projects out there. You can go to online parts retailers like Octopart to get parts like bipolar junction transistors, BJTS.You may also be able to get some parts from gadgets available on eBay.
Why build your own computer? Simple: it offers you a way to grow and challenge your skills while creating a machine that will be to your own specifications. This means you can customize it any way you want.
If you have specialized tech needs of any kind, this is a particularly good idea. Building your own PC is only logical if you’re a DIY tech and gadget enthusiast who is also a gamer, a YouTuber, an audio enthusiast, or a video producer.
2). Wearable Computer
In keeping with the theme of the last entry, why not build your own wearable computer? You can make a wearable computer from a $10 Raspberry Pi Zero W, with the addition of a Pi Zero Spy Cam, Bluetooth dongle, battery pack, and a few other things. You’ll need to do some soldering, and the electronics assembly is detailed, but the result is a very usable and useful wearable computer.
3). VR Headset
Virtual reality is becoming one of the new frontiers in technology, so why not make your own VR headset? You can make your own using an Arduino board. You’ll also need a SparkFun Triple Axis Accelerometer and Gyro Breakout. The total cost comes to less than $100 worth of parts if you have access to a 3D printer to make the headset. Incidentally, the code for the 3D-printed headset is open-source. The result is your very own Oculus.
4). Audiobook Player
Audiobooks are big business these days, what with Audible (now owned by Amazon). For many people on the go, audiobooks are a great way to experience books while keeping their hands free. While many people put audiobooks on their phones, you may not want to clog up your phone with an app and more downloads.
If that’s the case, why not build your own audiobook player from a Raspberry Pi? You can load it up with a USB drive, and operate it with a single button on top of the device. Happy listening!
5). Password-protected Door Lock
Are you still opening your door using a literal metal key, inserted into an actual physical lock? Would you like something that wouldn’t be easy for a thief to pick?If you’re looking for better door security, why not create your own password-protected door lock based on an Arduino board? You’ll need a Bluetooth module and a Servos (Tower Pro MG996R), and access to a 3D printer.
You’ll also need to do a little basic coding. Once you put it all together, you’ll have a device that can lock and unlock your door with a password from your smartphone.
6). Smart Speaker
If you enjoy music – or audiobooks – why not get a Bluetooth speaker and create your own smart speaker? This is basically a DIY alternative to the Amazon Echo, Google Home, or Apple HomePod. You’ll need a device you’re willing to dedicate to this project, such as an old phone or tablet.
Any old Android or iOS device will do. Activate the always listen function on the device, and hook it up to a speaker either by wire or wireless. The end result may not be quite as elegant as the Amazon Echo, but it will be useful, portable, and convenient. You can even use it to switch between smart assistants.
Conclusion
The great thing about tech projects is that they give you the ability to use your skills while creating tech to your own specifications. It’s an engagement with technology that goes well beyond what most people experience. Most people simply buy the gadgets they’re interested in. Their relationship with technology is that of consumers.
By making the items discussed here, you can go above and beyond what most people are capable of by becoming a true technology creator. Have fun, and enjoy your new gadgets!
