Technology

Beyond the Shortcut: How Generative AI is Reshaping Engineering Education

At the Maker Faire Bay Area last September, a crucial conversation took place, the Role of Generative AI in Engineering Education; Microchip’s Senior Engineer, Ross Satchell dove into the double-edged sword that is artificial intelligence. We’ve all seen the headlines: AI coding assistants like GitHub Copilot can write code in seconds, and ChatGPT can explain complex concepts like a personal tutor. Satchell’s talk acknowledged this incredible potential, highlighting how generative AI can accelerate learning and boost productivity like never before....

March 9, 2026Uncategorized, , , , , 0 Comments
Read more +

Generating 3D Model Figures with AI

It’s starting to feel like you can’t avoid AI these days. AI even took my order in the drive thru the other day, but it failed, and a staff member had to step in to fix it. The most common one most people have heard of is ChatGPT, but it’s only one of many out there. Many AI models are very specialized and can only do one thing, but not always well. The latest thing I keep hearing about in...

March 6, 2026Uncategorized, , , 0 Comments
Read more +

Review: M5Stack Cardputer Adv Version (ESP32-S3)

Manufacturer: M5Stack Price: $30 Link: https://shop.m5stack.com/products/m5stack-cardputer-adv-version-esp32-s3 I have adored the M5Stack Cardputer since its first incarnation (see “Board Hoard,” Make: Volume 91), through v1.1 (“Word Is Board,” Make: Volume 95), and was completely overjoyed when I was handed the latest Adv model at Maker Faire Shenzhen in November. The Adv retains the credit-card-sized form factor of the original, though it trades the light-grey colorway for a brilliant white front and dark grey back. The latter is adorned with...

February 19, 2026Uncategorized, , , , , , 0 Comments
Read more +

Review: eufyMake E1 UV Printer

Manufacturer: eufyMake Price: $2,499 Link: eufymake.com/products/eufymake-e1 Every so often, something comes along that revolutionizes an entire tech sector, or opens it up to a new group. The Commodore 64 and IBM PC clones brought home computing to the masses. RepRap and MakerBot introduced personal 3D printing to a hungry maker audience. I’d argue that Nestworks (see sidebar TK) are doing similar for CNC. And with a record-setting Kickstarter campaign at $46,762,258, Anker’s eufyMake brand is transforming the...

February 17, 2026Uncategorized, , , , , 0 Comments
Read more +

Review: Framework Laptop 13

Manufacturer: Framework Price: $849–$3,545 ($1,582 as tested) Link: https://frame.work/laptop13 I’m writing this review on a Framework 13, the coolest-looking computer I’ve used. It’s a comfortable size, with a sleek aluminum exterior and generously sized trackpad. It easily handled CAD modeling, CAM calculating, and slicing for various digi-fab machines during testing. And none of that is the point. Probably the first thing spectators will notice is the translucent bezel around the 3:2 screen. That’s closer to the point, but...

February 13, 2026Uncategorized, , , , , , , 0 Comments
Read more +

Particle, Digi, and the XBee That Started It All   

On Tuesday, Particle announced its acquisition by Digi — the very creators of the XBee — representing a full circle moment for its founder Zach Supalla. “One of my core beliefs when I started Particle,” said Zach, “was that the maker movement and professional engineering are part of the same continuum, and that we could build a business serving both by making tools that are easy to use for rapid prototyping and hardened for industrial-grade products. We’ve proven that...

January 31, 2026Uncategorized, , 0 Comments
Read more +

Best Dev Boards for Music

Making something then using it to play beautiful music or find peculiar sounds is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. We have been creating music and sound for at least 40,000 years, and makers today have access to all sorts of fun tools that we can use in our quest for cool sounds. I’ve seen countless awesome audio projects from makers in every corner of the world, from vintage analog bleeps and bloops to futuristic gestural controllers. There are many different...

January 30, 2026Uncategorized, , , , , , , 0 Comments
Read more +

Best Dev Boards for Edge AI Projects

Raspberry Pi 5 and the new Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Super top our picks for the best dev board for your edge AI projects. But they aren’t your only options. If you’re looking for something smaller, lower cost, something with vision built-in, or even a microcontroller, these are our favorites in 2026.

Raspberry Pi 5

Raspberry Pi 5 Released in 2023, Raspberry Pi’s flagship single-board computer (SBC) is still capable of crunching the numbers required for many AI applications,...

January 23, 2026Uncategorized, , , , , , , 0 Comments
Read more +

CES 2026: Maker Highlights from the Biggest Tech Show on Earth

CES has always carried the maker spirit, but this year it felt more baked than ever. We didn’t see rows of 3D printers running as in the recent past. Instead, we saw their output (printed parts, custom enclosures, snapped-together modules) embedded in products. Same with Raspberry Pis and dev boards. They’re not being demoed. They’re doing the work. Looking back in the eighteen years I’ve attended the show, CES didn’t turn into a maker show so much as it absorbed...

January 13, 2026Uncategorized, , , , 0 Comments
Read more +

Open Source Hardware Certifications for December 2025

The Open Source Hardware Association (OSHWA) runs a free program that allows creators to certify that their hardware complies with the community definition of open source hardware.  Whenever you see the certification logo, you know that the certified hardware meets this standard.

OpenCPC

IUD US002791 Photo by OpenAeros Continuing the trend around Healthware projects joining the certification database in various forms, the OpenCPC is a scientific instrument for measuring air...

January 5, 2026Uncategorized, , , , , 0 Comments
Read more +
Select your currency
AUDAustralian dollar
USD United States (US) dollar
EUR Euro
GBP Pound sterling
CAD Canadian dollar
NZD New Zealand dollar