This page contains an overview of all the projects I wish I had more time to spend on. Most of them started as a "wouldn't it be cool if ..." conversation, and once they work they will be pretty cool. Unfortunately there's no way to tell when that might be. If you have ideas about any of these, let me know. I am definitely interested in partners in crime to get some of them off the ground..
Learning to Scull
After years of sweep rowing, I'm finally learning to scull. There are still a few things that feel wrong coming from sweep, but I'm definitely making progress. I also have not fallen into the river yet. (more ...)
Current status: active
Roomba Hacking
I have a blue Roomba Discovery Scheduler with serial command interface. I also have a small embedded computer with wireless ethernet to control the Roomba anywhere within coverage of my home network. Additional sensors will follow to turn the robot into an autonomous find-my-stuff device. Currently I am stuck on a potentially faulty serial interface cable that may have borken the Roomba's serial port. It smells somewhat funny. (more ...)
Current status: on hold
In-Car Computer
With Google maps getting better and better, and with mobile internet access being more and more available, my plan is to install a small computer (maybe a Mac Mini .. get it?) in my car to act as navigation- music-phone-status interface device ... ideally fully voice-controlled with a display projected into the windshield. (more ...)
Current status: idea
Visual References
I have not yet found a good way of keeping track of the trail of references (and their references etc.) involved in doing research. In particular, I would like a way to easily access information obout papers cited by or citing the paper I'm currently reading. With this project, my goal is to create a visual graph that connects referenced papers to show cross-overs between different fields and to allow me to easily follow the history of a particular idea of technique. (more ...)
Current status: on hold