Maker.io main logo
VIDEO

Donald Bell Maker Update: Dial M for Maker

By Maker.io Staff

This week on Maker Update: dialing a tune the hard way, a gutter punk ocarina, a solarpunk cyberdeck, and a proper guide to designing for heat set inserts.

TUTORIAL

Getting to grips with the Kitronik Klaw, BBC micro:bit, and MakeCode!

By Kitronik Maker

For the budding Roboteer, learning how to add and control actuators is a key skill. In this guide, we are going to take a look at our servo driven Klaw actuator,* and show you how to control it via code.

Bradley Doran

Skills:

Interests:

MAKER
TUTORIAL

Intro to Embedded Rust Part 11: defmt and Step-through Debugging

By ShawnHymel

In this tutorial, we’ll explore how to use the Raspberry Pi Debug Probe to perform step-through debugging in Rust.

PROJECT

How to Make DIY Music Reactive RGB LED Ring (WS2812B) Using Visuino

By Ron Cutts

Learn how to build a sound‑responsive LED ring using Visuino, Arduino Nano ESP32, WS2812B LEDs, and a mic module. Step‑by‑step guide for beginners.

Frank

Skills:

Interests:

MAKER
BLOG

Measuring the Speed of Sound Using an Ultrasonic Sensor and Oscilloscope

By Shruti Garg

In this blog, I will walk through a simple experiment that uses an ultrasonic sensor and oscilloscope to measure how fast sound travels through the air.

PROJECT

L293D Motor Driver Shield and Arduino

By Rachana Jain

In this guide, we will first understand how the L293D shield works and then implement a practical servo motor control setup using Arduino UNO.

PROJECT

Make a Phone Call Using the SIM900 GSM Shield & Arduino - Visuino Tutori

By Ron Cutts

Step-by-step guide to set up a SIM900 GSM shield on an Arduino, program it in Visuino, and use two pushbuttons to initiate and terminate phone calls.

PROJECT

How to Use PCF8574 GPIO Extender With Arduino or ESP32

By Ron Cutts

How to Use PCF8574 GPIO Extender With Arduino or ESP32: If you require more pins for your project to connect more buttons, sensors or LEDs, GPIO expanders can h

PROJECT
23

Color Sensing Music Player

By Adafruit Industries

Make colored bricks play music.

TUTORIAL

How to make Professional Enclosures for your Electronic Projects

By Mirko Pavleski

Very often, I receive a request from my viewers to explain the method of making the cases for my electronic projects. First of all, let me tell you that the cases are not made with 3D Printing, but from a special PVC material.

BLOG
10

Power Distribution Boards: Smart Alternative to Relays

By Antonio Velasco

This blog will talk about the core concepts and the theory behind the circuit schematic and how it was approached.

PROJECT
15

Arduino New Year's Eve Fireworks

By Ron Cutts

Arduino New Year's Eve Fireworks: Make a New Year's Eve Fireworks using Arduino and the ST7735 lcd.Watch the Video! Project file can be downloaded below.

Thomas Ely

Skills:

Interests:

MAKER

Giovanni Primerano

Skills:

Interests:

MAKER
PROJECT
29

NeoPixel Light Slate

By Adafruit Industries

Color your world and make it glow.

PROJECT
22

Arduino LASER Brightness Pulse Width Modulation PWM

By Ron Cutts

Arduino LASER Brightness Pulse Width Modulation PWM: In this tutorial we will use a LASER Module connected to Arduino UNO and Visuino to make it change it's bri

VIDEO
15

Donald Bell Maker Update: Pick-Me-Up

By Maker.io Staff

This week on Maker Update: getting a grip on your laundry, an all-natural disco lamp, an all-seeing Coglet, and tiny servos for a tiny crawler.

TUTORIAL
18

Intro to Embedded Rust Part 10: Interrupts

By ShawnHymel

In this tutorial, we'll explore how to configure and handle timer interrupts on the Raspberry Pi Pico 2, creating a blinking LED program where the processor spends most of its time sleeping while hardware interrupts handle all the timing.

PROJECT
24

Value Acrylic Vanity Mirror with LED lighting

By Kitronik Maker

This vanity mirror incorporates some easy soldering and uses some of our special finish Value Acrylics. Once plugged into a USB wall plug, the LEDs inside will light up the viewer for optimal makeup application, beard trimming and silly-face-making. Read on to find out how you can make it!

PROJECT
16

SteamPunk Goggles - Simple DIY Tutorial Part 2

By Ron Cutts

SteamPunk Goggles - Simple DIY Tutorial Part 2: In this Tutorial we will learn how to make the Legendary SteamPunk Goggles that change colors. If you haven't ye

TUTORIAL
13

Don’t Fear Ubuntu: How to Install It Successfully on Your First Try

By Hector Eduardo Tovar Mendoza

My first introduction to robotics was with ROS2, but for this framework, I needed a Linux distribution. I was recommended to install Ubuntu, and wow, it has a lot of features, especially for robotics!

PROJECT
31

Control Powerful Electric Skateboard E-Bike 350W DC Motor Using Arduino

By Ron Cutts

Control Powerful Electric Skateboard E-Bike 350W DC Motor Using Arduino and BTS7960b: In this tutorial we are going to learn how to control a DC motor using Ard

PROJECT
38

LED Gumball Machine

By SparkFun Electronics

Do you need an LED? The answer is always yes. But what if you need one right now? Build yourself an LED gumball machine and never run out again!

PROJECT
18

VISUINO Rolling Dice Using 0.96 Inch 4 Pin OLED Module

By Ron Cutts

Learn how to build a rolling dice project with Visuino, Arduino UNO, and a 4‑pin OLED display. Step‑by‑step guide with circuit diagram and code snippets.

BLOG
198

Solder Smarter Using DigiKey Standard Helping Hands

By ARollens

Explore DigiKey Helping Hands features including magnetic PCB pillars, flexible arms, LED magnifier, and a heavy steel base for stable soldering.

PROJECT
29

HOW TO USE a VIBRATION SENSOR- VISUINO TUTORIAL WITH ARDUINO

By Ron Cutts

Learn how to wire a vibration sensor, LED, and buzzer to an Arduino Uno using Visuino. Get instant alerts when motion is detected.

PROJECT
74

Retro Analog VU Meter on Round displays (ESP32 and GC9A01)

By Mirko Pavleski

Using the LVGL library and SquareLine Studio, I created a visualization that is not only functional, but also aesthetically enriches any audio system.

PROJECT
100

Novelty Synth from Recycled Vape

By bekathwia

Today, we’re turning one of the most cursed objects of contemporary e-waste, a disposable vape, into a musical instrument. It’s like an ocarina, using your breath to activate and your fingers to control the pitch.

Randall Stivers

Skills:

Interests:

MAKER
PROJECT
49

Wireless Gesture Controlled Robot

By SparkFun Electronics

Control the RedBot wirelessly based on the movement of your hand using an accelerometer and XBees!

BLOG
71

Pushing the Limits: A 6km LoRa Range Test with the PTSolns SX1276 Shield

By PTSolns

In this blog, we’ll explore the hardware that’s being used, the science behind the transmission, and just how impressive a feat it is to achieve a 6km range.

VIDEO
21

Donald Bell Maker Update: Do a Kickflip

By Maker.io Staff

This week on Maker Update: gleaming the cube on a cushion of air, a fruit bowl that’s just the right size, a 3D printed Japanese lantern, and how to copy any 3D part.

TUTORIAL
49

Intro to Embedded Rust Part 9: Test-Driven Development

By ShawnHymel

In this tutorial, we'll explore how to apply TDD principles to embedded Rust by writing unit tests for our TMP102 driver library.

PROJECT
22

Laser-Cut Birdhouse from Poplar Plywood

By Kitronik Maker

This project is a brilliant base for further customisation. Change the designs on the walls, scale it, make a bracket to affix it to a wall, or a loop to hang it from a tree.

Patrick Uecke Jr

Skills:

Interests:

MAKER
BLOG
72

How Hardware Gets Hacked (Part 2): On-boarding

By Nathan Jones

Explore a hardware security workflow using firmware builds, simulation tools, serial commands, and automated tests for microcontroller systems.

TUTORIAL
458

Arduino OTA Updates Without an Arduino Cloud Account

By Maker.io Staff

Design reliable Arduino OTA update systems without relying on Arduino Cloud, balancing security, convenience, battery life, and recovery planning.

PROJECT
144

Desktop Pet

By Odd_Jayy (Jorvon Moss)

Learn how to build a desktop pet app in Godot 4 with animations, transparent windows, edge crawling behavior, and exports for Windows and Linux.

PROJECT
669

Local Models for Translation, Speech, & Wardrobe on Pi 5

By Adafruit Industries

Practice reading or listening to other languages with this multi-lingual speaking weather & wardrobe assistant on the Raspberry Pi 5.

TUTORIAL
232

A Beginner-Friendly Teensy 4.1 Getting Started Guide

By Maker.io Staff

Get familiar with the Teensy 4.1’s performance, I/O, memory, and Arduino IDE workflow for advanced DIY electronics.

TUTORIAL
53

CircuitPython Web Workflow Code Editor Quick Start

By Adafruit Industries

Edit your CircuitPython Code over WiFi from a Browser.

Khushi Patel

Skills: CAD

Interests: Robotics

MAKER
VIDEO
29

Donald Bell Maker Update: Plowing Ahead

By Maker.io Staff

This week on Maker Update: remote control snow patrol, cleaning up after Wall-E, fighting plastic with plastic, and a boogie-down Bottango bot.

TUTORIAL
53

Intro to Embedded Rust Part 8: Lifetimes and Lifetime Annotations

By ShawnHymel

In this tutorial, we’ll discuss the concept of lifetimes and demonstrate a few ways in which you can help the compiler (and borrow checker) understand your intentions with references by using lifetime annotations.

PROJECT
49

BBC micro:bit Pedestrian Crossing Project

By Kitronik Maker

This Pedestrian Crossing project was submitted to us by Thomas Stratford. Thomas started this project to try out the pre-written code that came with the IET Pedestrian Crossing resource. The aim is to use the BBC micro:bit to develop a prototype for a pedestrian crossing for a local secondary school.

TUTORIAL
58

How To Reset an Arduino MCU from Code

By Maker.io Staff

Explore software-based Arduino reset techniques, including NVIC_SystemReset, ESP.restart, watchdog timers, and hardware-triggered resets.

BLOG
64

XRP CoreXY Chessboard Reimagined

By Don Johanneck

Discover how the XRP CoreXY chessboard prototype evolved with improved durability, lighting effects, and a compact transportable design.

TUTORIAL
108

Mastering Oscilloscope Triggers and Capture

By Zach Hipps

Learn how to use oscilloscope triggering, single capture, and protocol decode to debug analog and digital signals with confidence.

PROJECT
37

Integrating BleuIO with Teensy 4.1 – Showing real-time air quality data

By Sheikh Shuhad

Integrating BleuIO with Teensy 4.1 – Showing real-time air quality data

Joshua Reeder

Skills:

Interests:

MAKER
BLOG
105

Electronics Teardowns and Recycling

By bekathwia

A beginner-friendly guide to disassembling electronics, salvaging parts, and disposing of e-waste responsibly.

PROJECT
36

Building a Vintage Tube-Style Internet Radio with Raspberry Pi & Rotary

By Mirko Pavleski

This project successfully merges the nostalgic charm of a vintage tube radio with the power of modern internet streaming using the Crowpanel 7-inch Pi Terminal.

PROJECT
193

DIY IP Camera with the Seeed XIAO ESP32 Sense, ESPHome, & Home Assistant

By Nate_Larson

Turn an ESP32-S3 board into a low-cost IP camera with ESPHome and connect it to Home Assistant dashboards with real-time video.

PROJECT
86

Keyboard Shortcut, Qwiic Keypad

By SparkFun Electronics

In this guide, we will cover how to utilize the RedBoard Turbo to emulate an HID keyboard that responds to inputs from the Qwiic Keypad to create your own custom shortcut keypad.

BLOG
400

Getting Started with the Microchip VeryVerilog Kit

By Travis Foss

Follow the setup and programming process for the VeryVerilog kit, including firmware loading and exploring built-in logic demos.

TUTORIAL
32

The Basics of REST APIs for Makers

By Maker.io Staff

Learn how REST APIs use HTTP, URIs, and JSON to let IoT devices exchange data securely using stateless, resource-based requests for connected projects.

Jim Pruitt

Skills:

Interests:

MAKER

ChiselsBreve

Skills:

Interests:

MAKER
TUTORIAL
32

SAMD51 Thing Plus Hookup Guide

By SparkFun Electronics

This tutorial aims to familiarize you with the new SAMD51 Thing Plus and help you get started using it.

BLOG
133

I’m Reviving the Openwheel Project!

By Zach Hipps

Follow the revival of an open-source self-balancing skateboard with upgraded motor, VESC controller, and improved design.

Jay Vos

Skills: C++ Python

Interests: FPGA

MAKER

Soufiane Soufi

Skills:

Interests:

MAKER

Jesús Manuel Germade Castiñeir

Skills:

Interests:

MAKER
VIDEO
22

Donald Bell Maker Update: Spool Speed Ahead

By Maker.io Staff

This week on Maker Update, taking your filament for a spin, a solderless USB port, adapting your eBike to the EV grid, and getting your coffee under control.

TUTORIAL
62

Intro to Embedded Rust Part 7: Creating a TMP102 Driver Library and Crat

By ShawnHymel

In this tutorial, we'll learn how to create a reusable library (crate) in Rust by extracting our TMP102 sensor code into a separate package that can be shared across multiple projects.

PROJECT
32

How to Make a Simple Air Freshener Enclosure

By Kitronik Maker

Our Air Freshener Kit is one of the most featured kits in our Student Gallery, and for good reason! It requires a good amount of design thinking, but the enclosure itself can be quite abstract or take on a great number of forms.

BLOG
89

What You Must Know About Common 3D Model File Types

By Maker.io Staff

Learn how STEP, STL, OBJ, and 3MF file types store 3D models, differ in accuracy, compression, and metadata, and impact DIY workflows.

TUTORIAL
19

Thread-safe printf Debugging - Part 2

By Nathan Jones

Learn how to make printf and snprintf safe for ISRs and RTOS threads by preventing race conditions using interrupts, mutexes, and atomics.

PROJECT
70

Bluefruit Luminary Lanterns with Capacitive Touch

By Adafruit Industries

Fill Your Home with Magically Controlled Lights.

Paulo Silva

Skills:

Interests:

MAKER
TUTORIAL
36

Thread-safe printf Debugging - Part 1

By Nathan Jones

Learn methods to strengthen embedded debug workflows with atomic checks, mutex tools, and race-free UART handling.

PROJECT
48

DIY Smart Code Lock with CrowPanel 1.28 ESP32 Rotary Display

By Mirko Pavleski

In this video, I demonstrate the simplest way to build an advanced, keyless security device using the CrowPanel 1.28-inch-HMI ESP32 Rotary Display. This module is a game-changer for DIY electronics because it integrates a touch screen, a physical button, and a rotary encoder into one sleek unit.

Pankaj Barnwal

Skills:

Interests:

MAKER
PROJECT
47

Affordable Iontophoresis Device (Part 2)

By Luke Sbityakov

An affordable, Iontophoresis Machine designed to treat hyperhidrosis for a fraction of the retail price.

PROJECT
56

Wireless Control Button for WLED Projects

By Adafruit Industries

Control all your lights with a programmable Big Red Button.

VIDEO
33

Donald Bell Maker Update: Back On Track

By Maker.io Staff

This week on Maker Update: a camper bike for abandoned railways, the Furbys take Eurovision, keeping a cool head, and getting rid of old tools you don’t use.

TUTORIAL
66

Intro to Embedded Rust Part 6: Generics and Traits

By ShawnHymel

Generics and traits are two of Rust's most powerful features for writing flexible, reusable code without sacrificing type safety or performance. We’ll examine both generics and traits in this tutorial.

PROJECT
47

Laser-Cut Cathedral Radio Style Mono Amp Kit Enclosure

By Kitronik Maker

Based loosely on the appearance of a 1930s Cathedral Radio, this make utilises the Mono Amplifier Kit that comes with a status LED and switch and swaps out the surface mounted switch for a round rocker switch that can be mounted to the outside for easier access.

Reuben

Skills:

Interests:

MAKER
TUTORIAL
107

How To Write Modular Code and Why You Should

By Maker.io Staff

Discover modular coding methods that enhance maintainability, reduce errors, and streamline development through reusable functions and structured design.

TUTORIAL
61

What's the Difference Between the ZED-F9P and the ZED-X20P?

By SparkFun Electronics

Here, we outline the key differences between our ZED-F9P and ZED-X20P breakout boards so you know exactly how to upgrade your projects to the newest technology.

TUTORIAL
55

How To Use SMART Monitoring in Linux NAS Drives

By Maker.io Staff

Protect NAS storage by enabling SMART monitoring, viewing attributes, and automating warnings for potential Linux drive failures.

PROJECT
85

SDR Panadapter for Vintage Tube Radios – Step-by-Step Tutorial

By Mirko Pavleski

By combining a vintage radio's sensitive front-end with modern SDR technology, I created a powerful hybrid receiver that offers both the nostalgic feel of classic hardware and the precision of modern software.

Blake EASTMAN

Skills: Rust

Interests:

MAKER
TUTORIAL
1 186

TPL5110 Nano Power Timer Hookup Guide

By SparkFun Electronics

In this tutorial, we'll discuss how the time is set with the on board six DIP switch and use a microcontroller to turn it off when a task is finished.

VIDEO
21

Donald Bell Maker Update: In My Lane, Flourishing

By Maker.io Staff

This week on Maker Update: bowling 300 in your kitchen, knights of the Canadian tuxedo, a dimpled display, and a control board for tiny bots.

TUTORIAL
125

Intro to Embedded Rust Part 5: Reading from an I2C Temperature Sensor

By ShawnHymel

In this tutorial, we'll explore how to communicate with external digital devices using Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C), one of the most popular communication protocols in embedded systems.

PROJECT
22

Value Acrylic Custom Phone Holder

By Kitronik Maker

This is a nice easy project for a class just learning how to laser cut and heat bend acrylic.

TUTORIAL
179

How To Create a Wireless Access Point on Raspberry Pi

By Maker.io Staff

Learn how to set up a Raspberry Pi as a wireless access point, share Ethernet or Wi-Fi, and manage connections easily using the NetworkManager tools.

PROJECT
73

Laser-Cut Layered LED Art Panel (Wood + Acrylic) with WLED

By Adafruit Industries

Give your artwork a deep, dimensional glow.

TUTORIAL
212

What is SSH?

By Maker.io Staff

Learn how SSH enables secure remote access to devices like Raspberry Pi, protecting your projects with encrypted connections.