How do you find inspiration for new electronics projects? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: wobbly
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 05:17:43 pm
content: I've been stuck for a while. I'm desperate for ideas for new electronics projects to embark upon but I'm really struggling for inspiration.My last trivial project was a few weeks ago (making a vintage "E&V Megger" unit into a Fallout 4 geiger counter film prop).My most recentsignificantproject was over a year ago! That was an inverted pendulum balancer which turned out great. I loved that project, it took me about 8 weeks and I learned a lot about robotics and PID controllers.So I'm in a real funk and I can't seem to drag myself out of it. I've got a small but modest electronics lab at home with a scope, sig-gen, frequency counter, PSUs, spectrum analyser, DMMs aplenty etc.Every time I sit down at my bench I'm confident that inspiration is about to strike at any moment and I'll be embarking on something fun within a few minutes. Hours later - disappointment.I've tried asking friends and family if they have anything that needs fixing, or something automating perhaps. Again nothing. Everything that WAS broken, I've fixed ages ago!What do you guys do when you can't think of something to build? Does that ever even happen to you?How do you get inspiration for a new project?

author: Postal2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 06:21:04 pm
content: Good question. Make your own video codec or your own processor using FPGA. Make a small artificial intelligence on CUDA to restore various firmware.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 06:23:58 pm
content: If you have to force yourself to come up with ideas, find something else to do.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 06:26:58 pm
content: Quote from: wobbly on July 31, 2024, 05:17:43 pmComing up with ideas that I want to pursue has not been a problem. It's tying to pursue them with a very limited budget.My focus hasn't been to invent anything novel at home, but rather just learning about what has been done. Recently I have been going down a waveguide rabbit hole after reading a book about the history behind them. This led to constructing a few, which led to reading about some basic concepts of quantum physics and constructing a homemade EPR spectrometer. There was a lot of other projects that went along with this as well. Something that was done in the 40s but I find it very interesting and so I dig in.With electronics, physics, chemistry being such a broad subject, I will die with really knowing very little about any of it. One thing I won't do is run out of things to experiment with.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 06:31:46 pm
content: Sounds like you don't really care what you work on if you are learning something.One source of ideas would be old electronics magazines. Not to duplicate the projects, but to find problems that they thought were worth solving and then figure out how to solve them better using the tools and components available today.This forum is a rich source of ideas. Look for threads asking for help doing something. Possibly the best ones will be ones where people have said it is too hard or too silly to implement. There is your opportunity.You could also look into what it really takes to be a volt nut or time nut.Does nothing in your life irritate you because it requires you to do something regularly that you don't particularly like doing? Again a rich source of opportunities. In some cases your solution could make you rich.

author: Postal2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 06:33:26 pm
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on July 31, 2024, 06:23:58 pmI disagree. Perhaps the author of the question simply does not have enough knowledge to cover the options. Just give him an idea.

author: Buriedcode
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 07:49:03 pm
content: Having other hobbies that require gadgets or custom options really helps. A lot of electornics guys make RC models, or bits of kit for their car/boat/bike.Mine is guitars - there are thousands of guitar pedals in a range of complexities, from simple one transistor boost/fuzz, to FPGA/SDRAM driven loopers, to full on DSP reverbs.My other (sad) hobby, is doing science experiments, often the stuff I build for those are one-time use and either get "recycled" into other projects, or thrown (or in two instances, donated to labs).As I've mentioned in other threads about electornics as a hobby - we really are in the golden age - the internet to share schems, firmware, projects and ideas, the cheapest parts ever only a few clicks away, and ever more complicated processors/modules that to someone from the 70's work like magic.The downside of that is often people end up withideas looking for applications, and whilst it used to be there was only really one way to solve a problem with electronics, we now have many. Raspberry pi's, arduinos, endless modules, kits - the number one thing that stalls one of my projects is indecision in the face of far too many options.Technology can't solve everything, and far too many believe it can - but as a hobby, it can be fun to grossly over engineer things - purely because you can! Case in point - weather station, or temperature sensors in every room that goes into far too much detail than is required.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 07:53:02 pm
content: Find a technical topic outside your comfort zone. Determine what theory you will need to know before you understand the topic properly. Create something that demonstrates your understandingandlack of understanding.Build something from scratch, without relying on pre-defined hardware/software modules.Do something astounding without modern technology.Off the top ofmyhead...Bandpass filter with Q>1000, skirts >100dB/decade, using 10% resistors and capacitors.4GHz oscilloscope/TDR using 2N3904 class transistors in the signal path.Any hard real-time hardware/software where the performance must be guaranteed by design, not measurement. Include non-realtime functions (e.g. ethernet/USB comms) that conflict with the real-time functions.

author: Xena E
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 08:55:16 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on July 31, 2024, 07:53:02 pmOooh... that'd be some weird messed up distributed amplifier ...Where's me bag of BC 107'sE

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 09:01:05 pm
content: Ahh, INSPIRATION, is an elusive parameter.I'm a self-proclaimed Inventor, and so a crucial component is always the putting aside the multitude of day to day worries; groceries, friends and family, errant pets and annoying neighbors.Firstly, don't drink (alcohol); it's a 'depressant'.Then there is distractions. Barking dogs, if extended in time, can be problem.Nearby park often has nighttime concerts, (I pity the home dwellers next to local community park!).It always helps to be continuously studying, and having skill to find the best sources.A magazine, in the U.K. was very helpful, or at least entertaining. It was called 'Everyday Electronics', or similar.Being able to sit, with a good large desk surface, with that magazine to ponder was nice.Oh, and don't drink...that's important.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 09:25:40 pm
content: Quote from: Xena E on July 31, 2024, 08:55:16 pmNot as interesting as that; far more prosaicYes, BC107/177 are fineIt is permissible to have fast transistors in a trigger circuit, but TDR doesn't need that.

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 09:53:30 pm
content: If your diodes are plentiful, this electronic pitch pipe project from Elektor might be a starter.Though my ideas are seldom finished - this looked a roundabout enough way to add reassuring weight.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 10:17:51 pm
content: I have the opposite problem, too many projects piling up.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 10:37:26 pm
content: Quote from: SiliconWizard on July 31, 2024, 10:17:51 pm... and too little remaining life for all the interesting ratholes

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 11:03:14 pm
content: Local library had only opened back up, recently, (post COVID).I'm polishing a method of 'walking the stacks' where I've got the subject area. Chemistry, Math, Minerals, etc. all new in the sense that it's a specified Library stack format...this one puts books according to subject.First, I noticed that I'd grab too many book subjects, that were not useful at home.You can also access the US PATENT office, prior art, and do specific searches like;Cat toy Laser Pointerand, maybe,...:'Fart Noise joke Cushion'. But I haven't searched that prior art, as it's called.Same idea, for trademarks. You might see a trademark filing that suggests some function you haven't thought of:Doggy Doorbell (tm). (Not a tm).Dreams, they say, can suggest things, but, like most folks, mine aren't clear enough.Numerous Pet Toys are yet to be imagined / built.Keeping a clear table top, and office often takes some barriers to creativity away.Some biographies make for fascinating reading, including;Thomas Edison.Jimi Hendrix, a great story of an American who rode the big wave, of so-called 'British Invasion's bands, in late 1960's.Ask around local University, or Technical College.Keep a list.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 11:14:01 pm
content: It's quite systematic. This shows a common method with 2 letters and a decimal. I lived in the QD section (i.e., science + chemistry).https://howardcc.libguides.com/c.php?g=10536&p=2137881

author: EPAIII
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 12:41:25 am
content: Inspiration for projects? I read. I watch YouTube. I look at catalogs. I read magazines (you know: paper, ink, bound together and sold at book stores). I find myself wanting something for life. I listen to requests from others. I am watching YouTube DIY videos as I type this and they aren't all about electronics. But many of the non-electronic ones could benefit from some added, electronic bells and whistles.Sometimes I am laying in bed, trying to sleep and an idea just pops up. Other times I have looked around the room I'm in and think, "Boy, I sure would love to have a remote control for the blinds and draperies." "And it should be voice controlled."So many project ideas. So little time. I have at least a dozen projects waiting for my attention; probably more like 20 or even more. My problem isn't ideas for projects, it's time for the ones I already started.I am 80 yo and mybucket listjust keeps getting longer and longer.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 04:07:29 am
content: This is a little off the wall, but I also recommend the TRIZ methodology for coming up with new solutions to problems. It has been made unpopular by the patent trolls who use it to expand their claims, and it certainly isn't a magic wand to solve problems, but it has helped me get the creative juices flowing in a useful direction. A little googling will get you enough to get the core benefits.

author: pcprogrammer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 05:35:40 am
content: Quote from: SiliconWizard on July 31, 2024, 10:17:51 pmVery recognizable. Things that happen here are, something breaks and needs to be fixed. Oh there are liion batteries involved, so a new field of technology needs to be investigated.A way back bought FNIRSI 1013D scope arrives with a defective touch screen and needs to be reverse engineered. Took quite some time but was very interesting. Did put every other project on hold and also brought on ideas for new ones.An old fischertecnik 27MHz remote control does not work properly anymore. Ah well lets make a more modern version with a microcontroller and a nrf905 transceiver.A last year acquired Lenovo tablet now has touch screen problems after update to Android 13 and needs to be investigated. Tried to restore an older version of Android, and only got errors and looked like the tablet was kind of bricked, so opened it up and disconnected the battery as per advice from the flashing tool. Low and behold it came back to live, still on Android 13, but it looks like the touch screen problem is over.Then there are the other ideas that keep popping up and hardly get worked on or actually started but never finished.Sometimes very frustrating.

author: Messtechniker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 06:13:14 am
content: My electronics projects (hardware/software) as well asequipment purchases depend on what I need for repairs,my recording studio and gadgets for use in and around the house.Its as simple as that.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 06:34:03 am
content: See if you are interested in any project ideas from this threadhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/say-a-weekend-project-idea-something-nice-to-build/?all, or search for "EDN Design Ideas", or browsejournals/magazines collections.

author: perdrix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 08:22:11 am
content: Quote from: Xena E on July 31, 2024, 08:55:16 pmSurely you need to use OC44s???

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 09:25:47 am
content: Ideas are not difficult. Nowadays I look at something with electronics in it ,and my first thought is either:- Hey I can design that myself- I wonder how much time and effort if would be to design that myselfIt's actually self-control which is difficult. Right now, I'm working on a power rail probe for oscilloscopes, an ultrasonic anemometer, a DCC controlled model train turnout decoder for servos, a low cost bandpass filter which can be controlled by an Arduino. And a PCB for an oven controlled crystal oscillator. And I have a Rogovski coil PCB that I need more testing of. And a DCC model train engine decoder.Plus there are the projects at work.

author: Phil1977
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 09:42:48 am
content: Finding projects is easy if you are curious.Just go through your old projects and look for anything that you don't understand. Look for any weird behaviour that´s not in line with the datasheet or schoolbook.Don't blame it only on the parts, blame it on you. Make more experiments, read about it, ask questions at places like here. From the beginner to the lifetime specialist, we all have things we don't understand. But we can try to find an answer, even if it mostly means finding more questions.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 11:41:48 am
content: Ham Radio, Vintage radiosIn UKRSGBhttps://rsgb.org/main/get-started-in-amateur-radio/or BVWS.https://www.bvws.org.uk/j

author: Xena E
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 01:08:10 pm
content: Quote from: perdrix on August 01, 2024, 08:22:11 amThanks!Possibly cutting edge tech in 1957, but now sadly unavailable, and I don't have any

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 01:23:58 pm
content: Quote from: wobbly on July 31, 2024, 05:17:43 pmFor me, project ideas typically are not generated at the bench, but come from outside, often "out of left field" -- either from other areas of my own interest, or from talking to others who point out an interesting topic or an unmet need they have.E.g. something around the house ("I really want a remote sensor for that drainage shaft"), some technical oddity someone explained to me ("Did you know that there were computers which used acoustic delay lines as their main memory?"), a device someone wish they had ("A desktop display which shows my aging relative the events and appointments for today, which I can update remotely").

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 01:53:23 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on July 31, 2024, 09:25:40 pmBC107 is an impressive date code to find on a transistor.

author: wobbly
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 06:11:37 pm
content: Thank you to everyone who has responded to my topic so far, I really appreciate your time and advice. I've started looking through some EE magazine archives (going back to before I was born!) and I've already earmarked some projects of interest.Quote from: ebastler on August 01, 2024, 01:23:58 pmFunny you should mention delay lines!A few weeks ago I came up with an idea for a novelty project just for fun - a kinetic sculpture perhaps... A delay line memory of sorts but with a delay in the region ofseconds, rather than milliseconds. And with rather low total storage volume; perhaps 64 bits to start with.My idea was to construct a simple disc out of plywood, perhaps 12" in diameter. The disc can be driven by something like a stepper motor via a belt-drive or a cog on the edge of the disc.Near the edge of the disc, 64 evenly spaced holes are drilled of about 6mm each. Into each hole is pressed a single glow-in-the-dark plastic BB-gun ball.The idea being that each BB pellet would act as a single bit of memory - if it was glowing bright then that represents a 1-bit, if it was dark then a 0-bit.The disc would spin continually and a REFRESH head would read the state of each passing BB and reinforce it's state by shining a bright UV LED on it (or not). I was hoping the BBs would glow well for at least a few seconds before needing refreshing.I got really excited by this idea and got as far as buying a few different varieties of BBs. To my disappointment, I wasn't able to contrive a detector that was able to discriminate between a bright and a dark BB. Even in a dark room. Sounded simple, turned out to be really hard for me at my knowledge level - which isn't all that high, turns out.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2024, 08:26:22 am
content: Quote from: wobbly on August 01, 2024, 06:11:37 pmThat is a really neat idea. I have been toying with the idea to build a series of demonstrators for various old memory technologies. (Already have a project name, "Memory Lane") Thought about waves on ropes or "slinky" spirals to visualize acoustice delay lines, for example.It should be possible to get the glow-in-the-dark bits to work. Probably needs some careful tweaking of wavelength, exposure time and intensity -- maybe a flash lamp or LED flash? I'll give that some though, thank you for the idea!

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2024, 10:01:00 am
content: @wobblyI wonder whether those BB's would decay fast enough to get the effect you want. Fluorescence, of course, decays much faster, but probably way too fast. Lifetimes are usually in the ns range or shorted; although, some compounds in the milliseconds range have been developed (first set of references).Phosphorescence is often too long, but there is a lot of work on shorter lifetimes (second set of references). I agree that phosphorescence is a more likely way to get your project to work. Neither reference for phosphorescence is particularly relevant, but they may give you some ideas of where to look.Long fluorescence:https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/cbmi.3c00091https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acscentsci.5b00327Fast phosphorescence:https://www.picoquant.com/applications/category/life-science/phosphorescence-lifetime-imaging-plimhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00214-023-03020-w@ebastlerUnfortunately, I am old enough to remember the first memory calculator a professor in our physical chemistry section at university had (Dean Robinson). It was acoustic based. I suspect working examples of those machines might be expensive today (http://www.vintagecalculators.com/html/calculator_memory_technologies.html).

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2024, 10:51:43 am
content: If you are a natural curious person don't limit yourself just to electronics.If I may suggest have a peek at mechanics as well, actuators, transducers, linear and steppermotors, servo's, robotarms, sensors, vaj settings, it will open a new world and it is called electromechanical engineering aka mechatronics. Then it also allows you to come up with many new projects.For my self, I get the most interesting new ideas when I am on a holiday outside of the country, no access to the lab. The moment I get bored , the magic inside my brains start to happen.

author: nali
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2024, 12:58:52 pm
content: I like the thinking about the disc - not sure how well it'd work in practice though as the dots would pretty much blur together with the rotation. It's similar to a science project for kids I'm involved in where one of the displays is a wall of luminous materiel and kids can "write" on it using a LED keyring torch.If you're thinking along those lines meybe try one of those "propeller displays" i.e. a single string of LEDs rotated and modulated to show the time / some text / a picture. Yes you can buy them for peanuts but it's a nice mix of electrical & mechanical design to get into.Otherwise, I'd go for something you'll use later, like a nice bench power supply for example? Make it with modularity in mind so you can add external CC/CV control, power logging etc.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2024, 01:31:06 pm
content: I think jpanhalt has identified your core problem with the memory project. But maybe it is just a chance to turn a liability into an asset. Make this a very slow, but high capacity memory. Putting the BBs on a very large disk (or belt) that moves slowly enough that dynamics aren't an issue.You might aid your detection problems with a differential observation technique. Mount the beads in pairs, keep one in the dark and measure the brightness difference. Ambient light will always be a killer.

author: wobbly
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2024, 02:51:50 pm
content: I'm glad my "Optical RAM" idea has captured so much positive attention, thanks all!I will start a new thread in the "Projects" forum about it so people can chime in. I'm going to revisit this project and use a different detection method... I have some "TSL235R" Light-to-Frequency Converter devices, which appear to be extremely sensitive and very fast to react.Quote from: CatalinaWOW on August 02, 2024, 01:31:06 pmGood idea, to have one "control" bead perhaps in the centre of the disk, where it's likely to receive the average amount of ambient light. Perhaps even use the bead itself as a kind of lens that the sensor looksthrough, then the sensor won't be seeing the ambient light directly, but only as influenced by the beads!I'm thinking that I'll inevitably have to run this machine in a fairly dark room, which will make it easier to shoot a video of it running. Ok, I'm off to start the new thread in the Projects forum!

author: wobbly
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2024, 02:54:02 pm
content: Quote from: nali on August 02, 2024, 12:58:52 pmThanks. That's the other benefit of using a stepper motor to drive the disk - I can start and stop the motion quickly and with a lot of precision. Timing is definitely going to be a critical part of this build!

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2024, 11:57:04 pm
content: Most obvious ideas are already available as ready-made products and well-documented.I feel attracted to secret or sometimes "illegal" things, because you really have to reverse-engineer them, and it's an intellectual challenge every time. Note that this is only for my own satisfaction, not for profit.My first bigger hobby project of this kind was breaking the Macrovision VHS copy protection (the boxes you could buy back then only did a partial reconstruction). Old stuff now, and no longer interesting.Right now I'm playing with the "Keyless-Go" systems for cars. A nice demonstration/prank would be reparking your friends' cars. My target is to get the cost under $50 for a system, which is actually turning unambitious.It'll be a one-off fun project just for myself, I'm not a car thief.Is this odd? Perhaps, but I enjoy that kind of thing.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2024, 12:03:28 am
content: Sorry, but... thread hijacking your own thread?@wobbly, you've already got a thread running on your hobby horse:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/optical-delay-dynamic-ram-(oddram!)/Why force it into this one?If someone's interested in your optical disk, there are now two threads to follow.

author: Kim Christensen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2024, 12:27:19 am
content: Replace the lunchroom clock at work with a modified movement. Make it so that time slows down during break times and catches back up during working hours.Or if you're the boss, you could do the opposite.

author: Postal2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2024, 12:36:22 am
content: Quote from: Benta on August 02, 2024, 11:57:04 pmOh, I did that with a GRUNDIG VCR (VS200?). There was a signal somewhere in there that was turned on during fast forward. The signal had to be on all the time - and the VCR synthesized the synchronization very well.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2024, 12:53:06 am
content: Quote from: Benta on August 02, 2024, 11:57:04 pmThere are some things best not done. Some cars are worse than others:https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/03/11/kia-and-hyundai-owners-continue-to-report-car-theft-after-free-security-upgrades.

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2024, 01:00:05 am
content: My projects usually fall into a few flavors- Making something because the price of a new one is out of skew- I want to learn something- It seems fun (Usually helping power level someone elses project)I fully get Benta's thought processThere was a good year where I was treating automotive software like suduko, cracking CRC, encryption and mappings, not for an end goal, but just as something fun to work on.

author: pcprogrammer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2024, 05:22:17 am
content: Quote from: Benta on August 03, 2024, 12:03:28 amIf you had read this thread properly from the start you would know that the idea for the optical memory disc started here and that wobbly started a new thread to explore it further, so no hijacking done here.

author: wobbly
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2024, 12:51:29 pm
content: Quote from: Kim Christensen on August 03, 2024, 12:27:19 amThat's a fun one! Reminds me of "Vetinari's Clock" from the Discworld books. Many people have made them and this page has a good description of it:https://github.com/akafugu/vetinari_clock

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2024, 01:22:15 pm
content: Quote from: wobbly on August 03, 2024, 12:51:29 pmHere's another, retrofitted to an early '70s 50Hz digital clock.https://entertaininghacks.wordpress.com/2015/02/23/vetinari-digital-clock/Half a century, and still working

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2024, 05:29:36 pm
content: Like some other posts here I often put a money saving angle, into the equation.So here I'm posting a scetch, of a little solar powered 'shopping bike'. But also, I had proactively bought a used SCOOTER, as a kind of 'back-up' so that any inspirational feelings would have encouragement, (and some reminder).For typical weekly shopping, I would need more capacity, than my backpack, and better weight capacity. Thus you can see, in my picture, shopping could utilize a rather large bin, with 2 wheels, in the back.Once the concept was established, I could explore various battery and controls, which are the heart of the electronic designs and inspiration.Security always a concern, I had a paradox, in that making the CART too good would invite theft. Plans were to use a typical bike lock chain.Even better, were plans for a Self-Driving cart, that could follow along behind, as I walked to supermarket!So you see, I tried to consciously create an environment, where more direct inspiration could happen, with less barriers.Generating money, or at least saving some costs are inspiring too.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2024, 06:26:31 pm
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on August 03, 2024, 12:53:06 amWhat you link to is a completely different issue.I'm playing with Keyless-Go systems, which is a basically flawed concept in itself. Believe me, no car having this feature is safe. I do not need physical access to the car or any part of it at all.I'm just demonstrating the stupidity of car marketers (and to a certain extent NXP's), offering needless and dangerous "comfort systems", nothing else.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2024, 07:31:27 pm
content: @Benta,I am equally concerned about all the keyless features on new cars. My 2024's electronic "features" bother the heck out of me. It's as bad as a Bill Gates OS, "We know what you want to do better than you do." I hate it when settingsrevert back to some default on every restart.Keyless start is at the top of my list. My point was not whether they are crummy designs but whether anyone would want to move someone else's car as a "joke." Imagine the shock of not finding your car? What if someone knew you were not the owner and saw you get in it? In America, a lot of people are armed. At the very least, it is like using an electric shock on a friend as a joke or some of the TikTok silly challenges that end in death. I am not a stick in the mud so far as humor. I just don't find anything potentially dangerous to another person as funny. My example of the Kia/Hyundai was not meant as an exact example, but rather as an example of a really poor manufacturer's implementation. It was one factor in why I got a Mazda instead of the Kia/Hyundai brand.

author: Kim Christensen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2024, 07:42:13 pm
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on August 03, 2024, 07:31:27 pmMy coworker has one of those cars. He and his wife carry their fobs in their pockets. One day, my coworker dropped off the wife and continued onwards to another destination. He didn't know that his fob was still at home and that the car had been started via his wife's fob. His car continued to run without a fob until he got to his destination and shut off the car.Then he was stuck.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2024, 08:00:04 pm
content: Exactly. I learned of that "feature" at the Kia dealer. 1) The car should stop when the fob is out of range; and 2) There needs to be a manual override with a real key should the RF communication get disrupted. My Mazda fob has a manual key hidden in it. I don't know whether that key is somewhat unique.EDIT: I can't imagine the logic behind remote start. What if you could do that to an airplane? That's why it is at the top of my most hated list. And, I have survived 17 Minnesota Winters getting into a very cold car.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2024, 08:30:35 pm
content: If there's interest, I'll start a new thread on this (RKE). I don't want to hijack this one for detailed discussion. Not sure about right section, though.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2024, 09:31:11 pm
content: Quote from: Benta on August 03, 2024, 08:30:35 pmI'd love to see that thread. I can't contribute, but I will learn from it. John

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2024, 06:57:09 pm
content: (Don't mean to be too personal, with my story...I'm no hero.)Inspiration related, is a little recounting, of what I was involved in, as funding became available, after a 'dry spell':A friend of mine had established a small business, with retail location, and I got some exposure to the dynamics, which, in his case was heavily involved with Real Estate rentals, landlords, and local city regulators.That included an assessment of building security and local Police dept.So, when my own funding came available I had already seen some of the business dynamics, although not directly (yet).I needed a private office or shop setting, for developing various technology, and a setting for creating PATENT materials.Surprising how much I had learned by observing that other person, in the 5 years prior to obtaining the business licence, myself, for the computer hardware teaching items, that had not yet been brought to any market.So, I hope this relates, at least a little, to the topic question; maybe a little bit of detail, on what happens AFTER the inspiration phase, of a large project. Things kind of feed themselves, after you have started in...seeing the idea fleshed out, in model forms, and then in more developed forms, which, I had no idea what things would look like.I had approximately $ 30 k to start, and got a good deal on the office rental, plus there was shop space, for the 'grunt' work. It turned out to be about 50/50 model building and documentation.I was already positioned, to start-up, when the cash arrived, so many of the office and shop duties were already known. It certainly was an INSPIRATION, to get the funding, similar to when a person wins a legal case, and delayed payoff materializes.That's an important part of inspiration, besides in the moment, as I was prepared for events, going forward. I've heard others mention that aspect, of having things 'ready' for making your own bit of progress, whether it's a project small or large!