Grand Idea Studio » Portfolio

Field Monitor Pro

Admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:44:25 +0000

The Field Monitor Pro is the world’s first clamshell portable monitor. It uses DisplayLink’s USB graphics technology to give a laptop, work computer, or home computer an immediate secondary display through a simple USB connection. [ continue ]

Laser Position Sensor

Admin — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:07:06 +0000

The Laser Position Sensor (LPS) module is an optical sensor that measures and provides the two-dimensional coordinates of visible red laser light (630-694nm) shined onto its surface. The LPS has a resolution of 0.0001″, an accuracy of 0.001″, and a measurement range of +/-0.2″ (+/-5mm). Applications include positioning and alignment, long-range beam-break/security trip wires, remote device control, data communications, and high-speed photography. [ continue ]

DEFCON 18 Badge

Admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:50:37 +0000

The DEFCON 18 Badge was created for the 2010 edition of DEFCON, the largest and oldest continuously running hacker and computer security convention in the world. The badge features active electronics mounted on an artistically designed, aluminum substrate printed circuit board. [ continue ]

RFID Read/Write Module

Admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:24:19 +0000

The Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Read/Write Module provides a low-cost solution to read and write passive RFID transponder tags up to 3 inches away. The module can be used in a wide variety of hobbyist and commercial applications, including access control, user identification, robotics navigation, inventory tracking, payment systems, car immobilization, and manufacturing automation. [ continue ]

Perspectives from the L0pht

Admin — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:01:41 +0000

For nearly a decade, Joe Grand of Grand Idea Studio was a member of the infamous hacker collective known as L0pht Heavy Industries in Boston, Massachusetts. Starting in the early 1990s as a clubhouse for local hackers to store computer equipment, tinker with projects, and just hang out, the L0pht (spelled ell-zero-ph-t) ended up as seven close-knit friends changing the face of computer security vulnerability research and disclosure. [ continue ]

Hacks and Attacks: Examples of Electronic Device Compromise

Admin — Thu, 20 May 2010 00:35:06 +0000

As engineers, we have a responsibility to learn from problems of the past in order to better equip ourselves for designs of the future. This session presents the typical hardware hacking process and some high-profile attacks against electronic devices such as microprocessors, smartcards, and parking meters. [ continue ]

AVRSimon

Admin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:05:33 +0000

AVRSimon is a re-creation of the addictive, flying-saucer-shaped memory game of Simon launched in 1978 by Milton Bradley. The premise of the game is simple: Repeat the sequence of lights and tones. [ continue ]

Hardware is the New Software

Admin — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:11:39 +0000

Society thrives on an ever increasing use of technology. Electronics are embedded into nearly everything we touch. Hardware products are being relied on for security-related applications and are inherently trusted, though many are completely susceptible to compromise with simple classes of attacks that have been known for decades. [ continue ]

DEFCON 17 Badge

Admin — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:06:54 +0000

The DEFCON 17 Badge was created for the 2009 edition of DEFCON, the largest and oldest continuously running hacker and computer security convention in the world. The badge uses active electronics, features an artistic circuit board, and provides an open design to allow attendees to experiment with and modify the badge to their liking. The goal of this year’s design was to be elegant and stark, yet powerful. [ continue ]

Smart Parking Meters

Admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:45:36 +0000

Throughout the United States, cities are deploying “smart” electronic fare collection infrastructures. In 2003, San Francisco launched a $35 million pilot program to replace approximately 23,000 mechanical parking meters with electronic units that boasted tamper resistance, payment via smart card, auditing capabilities, and an estimated $30 million annually in fare collection revenue. Other major cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, and San Diego, have made similar moves. [ continue ]

Circuit Board Artwork

Admin — Thu, 14 May 2009 03:56:08 +0000

The Circuit Board Artwork pieces were created during a series of experiments in precision circuit board fabrication using a T-Tech Quick Circuit 5000 Prototyping System. The original drawings were processed and routed onto single- or double-sided copper clad 0.062 inch FR4 with milling bits ranging in width from 0.010-inch to 0.031-inch. Sizes of the pieces vary from 1 inch by 4 inches up to 5 1/2 by 7 1/2 inches. Rights to all artwork are controlled by their respective owners. [ continue ]

Stealing the Network: The Complete Series (Collector’s Edition)

Admin — Fri, 01 May 2009 23:54:37 +0000

Now you can get all of the best selling books in the Stealing the Network series in one comprehensive bible of computer security fiction. This edition contains the four complete works, How to Own the Box, How to Own a Continent, How to Own an Identity, and How to Own a Shadow, along with the much-anticipated final chapter and DVD containing behind-the-scenes interviews with the authors. [ continue ]

Prototype This Extras

Admin — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:39:29 +0000

Other Prototype This information that doesn’t fit anywhere else. [ continue ]

Episode 13: Robo Dog Sitter

Admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:18:15 +0000

The team of inventors attempts to engineer the world’s first robotic dog sitter, a system designed to allow an owner to remotely interact, play, and communicate with his dog. [ continue ]

Episode 12: Gecko Superhero Suit

Admin — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:33:31 +0000

It’s time for some superhero adventure with San Francisco’s own “Fantastic Four.” Inspired by the superhuman abilities of the gecko and cutting edge research at Stanford University, the team attempts to create a real-life superhero: Geckoman. [ continue ]

Episode 11: Flying Lifeguard

Admin — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:23:18 +0000

The team attempts to prototype two different flying lifeguard systems to save swimmers in danger on unguarded beaches.
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Episode 10: Virtual Sea Adventure

Admin — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:37:27 +0000

The team of engineers attempts to invent the future of deep sea diving with a virtual sea adventure that will allow you to SCUBA any reef in the world from your local swimming pool. [ continue ]

Episode 9: Wearable Airbag

Admin — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 04:28:33 +0000

The engineers attempt to invent an airbag designed to protect workers from falls greater than thirty feet. This wearable airbag must sense freefall and deploy within a second, but can the team make it work in only two weeks?
[ continue ]

Episode 8: Automated Pizza Delivery

Admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:19:42 +0000

The team of engineers attempts to bring pizza delivery into the 21st century via an assortment of robots, blimps and a self-driving car that must cross the Bay Bridge. [ continue ]

Episode 7: Get Up and Go

Admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:54:43 +0000

The team of engineers attempts to invent a space-age sleeping pod that gets you up, fed, showered, groomed, dressed, informed and out the door in a matter of minutes. [ continue ]

Episode 6: Robotic Firefighter Assistant

Admin — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:34:24 +0000

The team attempts to build a hi-tech PyroPack to help firemen see in burning buildings and a robotic fireman to carry gear up flights of stairs and a victim back down. [ continue ]

Episode 5: Backyard Waterslide Simulator

Admin — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:54:43 +0000

The team of inventors takes on the future of thrill rides. Can they engineer a waterslide simulator that replicates the water park experience from the comfort of home? [ continue ]

Episode 4: Six-Legged All Terrain Vehicle

Admin — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:54:45 +0000

Inspired by the “legs” of an innovative robot called RHex, the prototypers decide to use this basic design with its synchronized alternating tripod gait and build it BIG! What first appears as a simple upscaling project becomes a real challenge when the team discovers that size can change everything. [ continue ]

Episode 3: Traffic Busting Truck

Admin — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:53:41 +0000

The boys take on the challenge of building a car that will beat traffic by rising up — and driving over it. And as an added bonus, the lift allows the vehicle to find parking like nothing else on wheels. The key to this build is a set of amazing wheels that can move in all directions without actually turning. [ continue ]

Episode 2: Boxing Robots

Admin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:00:02 +0000

The prototype team looks into the future of gaming — and giant, boxing robots are what they see. Joe and Zoz utilize a technology called optical glyph tracking to allow the robots to register and mimic their human counterparts’ boxing movements while Mike is charged with dressing the metallic skeletons and Terry with building the metal beasts themselves. And then it’s into the boxing ring for a metallic monster slugfest! [ continue ]

Episode 1: Mind Controlled Car

Admin — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Our team of inventors attempts to prototype a car that utilizes biofeedback sensors to restrict a cars performance as its driver’s agitation level increases. Joe and Zoz will use cutting edge biofeedback and mind control technologies as the brains of the prototypes while Terry and Mike retrofit the test cars for an extreme test to prove the concept: a demolition derby where road rage is inevitable. [ continue ]

BSODomizer

AdminII — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 01:55:33 +0000

BSODomizer is a small, battery-powered, mischievous electronic gadget that interfaces between a laptop or desktop and VGA monitor and flashes a fake BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) onto the monitor at random time intervals or when triggered by an infrared remote control. This will cause the user to become confused and turn off or reset his or her machine. The BSODomizer will automatically detect when this event occurs and will revert to the harmless video pass-through mode, leaving the user unaware of any wrongdoing. [ continue ]

DEFCON 16 Badge

AdminII — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:08:15 +0000

The DEFCON 16 Badge was created for the 2008 edition of DEFCON, the largest and oldest continuously running hacker and computer security convention in the world. The badge uses active electronics, an artistically-designed circuit board, and provides intentionally “open” circuitry to allow attendees to experiment with and modify the badge to their liking. [ continue ]

Perseus Athletics Posture-Tek

AdminII — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:31:32 +0000

The Posture-Tek product line is designed to ensure proper, user-defined posture during exercise or everyday activities. By maintaining the appropriate posture, back injuries and chronic back pain are prevented. Utilizing a unique mechanism to accurately detect position changes, the system silently alerts the user when poor posture occurs. [ continue ]

MAKE Magazine

AdminII — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 02:38:29 +0000

MAKE, a full-color hybrid magazine/book, comes quarterly from O’Reilly Media, the Publisher of Record for geeks and technology enthusiasts everywhere. [ continue ]