An ESP32 can run a LLM?
Amazingly, it is true that an ESP32 can run a LLM although Dave over at https://github.com/DaveBben/esp32-llm 2 years ago did not find it useful. However, supplier Espressif have provided the guideline on the application of its more recent models https://www.espressif.com/en/ecosystem/largelanguagemodel . The ESP32-S31NRV32 with its 32MB of PSRAM should be very capable and this guy ran...Continue reading→
Beyond Arduino – ATmega328 & ATtiny85
Build your own custom designs using the ATmega328 and ATtiny85 microcontrollersContinue reading→
The one-hour clock
I have had this tiny little ESP32 board with a tiny OLED display lying around for a while. So I decided to make a clock for my hobby room. I recruited Claude AI to help me out. It took an hour to simply resolve what the module actually is - an ESP32-C3 that responds to...Continue reading→
I bumped into a design flaw in a cheap ESP32 board that could have crashed my project. With some good luck, and help from Claude AI, I found a good solution. I'm building my grandson Sam a birthday present — a "black hole clock". Sam is into black holes at the moment, and the clock...Continue reading→
Maker creation in the kitchen
A problem to be solved or just finding ways to make life a little better? Topping up the mixing bowl on the KitchenMaid mixer can result in spills and a mess to clean up. Various products are out there for sale but I decided to do a design of my own and 3D print it...Continue reading→
From Breadboards to Super Minis: The Evolution of Hobby Microcontrollers
From Breadboards to Super Minis: The Evolution of Hobby Microcontrollers If you have spent any time at the makerspace over the last decade, you have witnessed a silent revolution. What began as simple LED blinks on a bench has evolved into edge-AI processing and vibrant, pocket-sized displays. The 8-Bit Foundation: Arduino Uno It actually started...Continue reading→
Adventures in Programmable Logic – Atmel
Introduction These devices from Atmel (now part of Microchip) are the functional descendants of the original PAL, PLA, and GAL chips – though they are not necessarily electrically or pin compatible with the earlier devices. These are still highly regarded by the hobbyist community as they are all 5V devices; hence they can be used...Continue reading→
Adventures in Programmable Logic – Introduction
Back in the very early 1980’s, as a young student of Electrical Engineering, I remember a particular Digital Design class where the lecturer described custom logic devices (as they were then known). He described two in particular: ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) – which are silicon chips that have been customised by the end user (usually...Continue reading→
Making our MakerSpace even better
Bigger is better? We will definitely have a better, more flexible MakerSpace when these mods are finished. More room for a new, multi-head 3D printer and laser engraver and more. And it will give us more room for this sort of thing (getting the LED lights ready for Christmas) ...