Grand Idea Studio » Portfolio

Thinking Differently

Admin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:04:56 +0000

Hackers think differently. They create new, innovative, and novel solutions to technical problems that are often deemed too difficult to solve. From Thomas Edison to Steve Wozniak to Richard Stallman, hackers have helped shape the world we live in. Corporations, on the other hand, are generally more rigid in their approaches to problem solving and are constrained by internal policies. [ continue ]

Laser Range Finder

Admin — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:49:21 +0000

The Laser Range Finder (LRF) module is a low-cost distance measuring instrument that uses laser technology to calculate the distance to a targeted object up to 8 feet away. [ continue ]

Countdown Pedestrian Signal

Admin — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:11:56 +0000

The Countdown Pedestrian Signal is created from a Dialight 430-6479-001F Countdown Pedestrian Signal Controller, Parallax BASIC Stamp 2, and EFX-TEK RC-4 Relay Control Board. [ continue ]

Hardware Hacking for Kids

Admin — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 17:39:49 +0000

This presentation introduces kids to the process and fun of hardware hacking. [ continue ]

A Five-Year History of DEFCON’s Electronic Badges

Admin — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:24:19 +0000

From 2006 to 2010, Joe Grand had the honor of designing the conference badge for DEFCON, the largest and oldest continuously running hacker and computer security convention in the world. The badges, which sparked a trend within the technology community, featured active electronics mounted on artistically designed printed circuit boards. [ continue ]

Hardware Hacking Training

AdminII — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 00:55:47 +0000

Grand Idea Studio’s Hardware Hacking Training, taught exclusively by Joe Grand, focuses on hardware hacking and reverse engineering techniques commonly used against hardware products. It is a combination of lecture and hands-on exercises, culminating with students attempting to defeat the security of a custom-designed circuit board. [ continue ]

RID Goggles

Admin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:26:10 +0000

Grand Idea Studio’s Reflective Image Display (RID) technology is a low-cost, simple, and effective method of heads-up display for use on goggles or other protective eyewear. RID creates a visual display utilizing the reflective quality of the eyewear lens, producing an image which appears to float a few inches in front of the wearer’s eyes. [ continue ]

Field Monitor Pro / Monitor2Go

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

The Field Monitor Pro and Monitor2Go are the world’s first clamshell portable monitors. They use 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. [ 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. [ 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.
[ continue ]

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 ]