Top 10 Inspiring DIY Tech Gadgets

There’s nothing wrong with those off-the-shelf gadgets. They’re easy to set up and extremely reliable in operation. You can also build some of them on your own as your DIY tech gadgets project.

As you can see, so many people work on their DIY projects. Of course, making them on your own will be cost-effective and exciting.

So, here is a small list of topmost inspiring DIY tech gadgets to get you started. Even if you aren’t tech-savvy in putting some electronics together, these mini-tech projects will be a walk in the park.

So, let’s dig right in!

Pet Feeder

If you tend to spend a few hours away from home daily, you don’t need to worry about your dog or cat going hungry while you are away. You can use one of the setup kits by Sphero and develop a pet feeding system for your furball.

You can easily monitor this system with photos uploaded to Dropbox and can access them from anywhere. The creators of this setup say it will take just a couple of hours to complete it.

pet feeder

Additionally, you might also need some wires, cards, and paper and an instruction code that will be provided to you by Sphero. With the help of this setup, the system will dispense food pellets based on a timer, and each time a snack is released, the inbuilt camera will take a picture and upload it to Dropbox, where you can access it.

WiFi Antenna

wifi antenna

Another one of these cool DIY electronic gadgets is a WiFi antenna. But here’s a thing! Don’t buy a router for that. You can comfortably build a WiFi antenna as your DIY tech gadgets gig, and there are different ways of doing it. Use anything from a baby bottle or a tin can to make it from scratch.

These antennas can boost your router’s range, and you can pick your wifi up even further. One of the best guides that can sort things out for you in this regard is available on BD Tech Online. This guide has simple instructions, and the antenna you will build from it will be weatherproof.

Smartphone Projector

Smartphone Projector

Thinking about embarking on making cool electronic gadgets, a smartphone projector is another idea for you. Several smartphone manufacturers have tried hard but failed to make phones with inbuilt projectors.

So, it’s time to take matters into your own hands and make one yourself. DIY Perks has a guide to follow and achieve this feat successfully. The video contains a step-by-step procedure and fun with your games and watching movies on a blank wall in a bigger size.

You will be using a magnifying glass lens to make the image produced by your phone larger. But there are few tweaks along the way you will have to manage to ensure the picture isn’t flipped and suitably focused and bright.

You will need some dowels, a mirror, and cardboard. Of course, you will need the lens and your phone as well. But don’t expect the results to be anything close to what you can get from a quality projector. It’s a perfect project you can deal with along with your friends and family right before movie time.

Retro Games Console

diy Retro Game console

These retro games have become a big business in recent times. You can also make your Game Boy-type device using the Raspberry Pi module. This device will run titles from NES, Game Boy, Game Gear, and Sega.

Again, you’ll need to do some soldering to joining the components, so the Pi functions well. However, if you are looking to be more creative in the design department, you can do that. No matter what you are looking to achieve, a basic setup will not cost you a lot.

Wearable Computer

If you’re still moaning about Google Glass, then don’t! You can still look like a mad scientist walking around the streets. Of course, it’s not going to be something like what Google managed to achieve back in the day, particularly in terms of appearance, but it will undoubtedly get the job done.

PiGlass is a cool educational DIY tech gadget project that you can handle on your own. This entire setup is based on Zero W Raspberry Pi, and to set it up. You will require the Spy Cam Pi Zero along with a Bluetooth dongle.

Moreover, you will need a battery and some other extras as well as the spectacles. This project requires some detailed assembly of electronics, and you will have to do some soldering as well.

However, if you strictly follow the instructions, you will comfortably manage it. PiGlass will allow you to stream videos or direct music to your spectacles. It will also let you take photos and make videos from your wearable and smartphone.

Password-Enabled Door Lock

diy password enabled door lock

Lock keys are quite old-fashioned, and misplacing them is a common issue. Why not upgrade and use a password-enabled door lock with an Arduino Board. Of course, it will work fine for your study room or basement.

However, creating this lock is an advanced procedure. Therefore, it’s not a beginner’s project. To begin with, you’ll need a 3D printer to get all the components together. If you have some DIY experience under your belt, this process might not be a thing.

There is some necessary coding required here, and you can control the lock with your android phone using Bluetooth. All the instructions are provided here. This is one of those DIY cool spy gadgets you have always wanted.

Smart Speaker

If you have a smartphone that features a Smart Assistant like Alexa or Siri and comes with Bluetooth capability, making a smart speaker isn’t that tough. The best part is, you can pick how good the sound needs to be and which smart assistant you want to control it with.

Here’s a complete guide on how to make your smart speaker. What’s essential here is, you must find a device that you can dedicate to this project. It means you will need an old phone and turn it on to always listening. You will then connect it to a speaker with a wired/wireless connection.

It is going to need power all the time. It’s better to start working right near a power outlet and keep everything plugged in. You will have a device that might not look like Amazon Echo, but it will undoubtedly sound just the way you want it.

Night Light

Here’s another one that comes from Sphero to help you relax your kids in the evening. You can use your gadget-developing skills to get through this project with success.

Plus, you will use a variety of Sphero sensors and a cardboard template included in the kit. You can also make this template on your own. The device is controlled by sound to make their bedroom just a little bit less intimidating.

These Sphero modules come with push&click simplicity, and you won’t be tackling any codes here. Therefore, you won’t have to spend hours making this useful DIY tech gadget. You can involve your kids as well.

VR Headset

diy VR headset

If you are looking for the best VR experience, you need to get a proper VR headset. It’s going to be a lot more fun and rewarding. But these VR sets don’t come cheap, so why not go for a DIY VR headset!

You’ll save a lot, but you’ll also need a 3D printer for making the headset frame if you don’t want to get overly creative with stiff cardboard. The inventors have open-sourced the code, but it’s a detailed project. However, you will learn a lot about how virtual reality works, and the results will be quite rewarding.

Moreover, you will also have to research and look out for similar systems and make the assembly process easier. This is because the instructions come with some information gaps.

Audiobook Player

Yet another cool DIY tech gadgets idea for you is an audiobook player. If you have audiobooks in your collection and have your phone clogged with them, you can build a player for them as your DIY project. You will need a Raspberry Pi-based module, and everything will be a tap away.

This player is originally for older users who are not tech-savvy. The player can run with a USB drive, and there is just one button on top of it. You can find details on this right here, and there are various readily available codes to run it.

You can design the device according to your preferences, and controls can vary too. Moreover, you will connect your device with external speakers or even Bluetooth or put everything inside your device. The possibilities are endless here.

Final Thoughts

Off-the-shelf devices and gadgets are significant in terms of performance and reliability. But they cost a lot. And if you don’t have that kind of money for working around with electronics, then DIY tech gadgets will give you the best of both worlds.

You can give them away as DIY tech gifts to your loved ones too. Plus, you can always go on this adventure on your own or involve your family and friends. But in the end, you will get the results that will be oddly satisfying.

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