A Curiously Minty Cyberdeck Exercising Ingenuity 2026-05-09 | Altoids Tins are the perfect container. From survival kits, custom handheld game systems, to sewing, watercolours, and first aid, people have been repurposing the tin of the curiously strong mints for decades. They are very nice little tins. Recently a strong desire came over me to build a tiny cyberdeck inside of one of these tins.Cyberdecks are often built in rugged pelican cases, ammo cans, or other boxy form factors. An altoids tin checks a lot of boxes here: Rugged, boxy, and low-profile. My primary regret with this project is that I am unable to run Linux Mint on a Raspberry Pi Zero.Become a Exercising Ingenuity member! Idea Idlers & the Ingenuity Engine help keep this channel running & help me dedicate more time to sharing cool projects with you all! youtube.com/channel/UCOJV9jf1qKzzrgomdYTr9bg/joinSubscribe for more DIY projects, cyberdecks, & creative contraptions!youtube.com/@ExercisingIngenuity?sub_confirmation=1Watch my in-depth build of the tiny keyboard here:youtu.be/eqOzTvWjd7U?si=e9RLxX_kXdmtjiCzPROJECT RESOURCES:* Full project details and build guide (In progress): hackaday.io/project/205598-altoids-tin-mini-cyberdeck* Full publicly accessible CAD on OnShape: cad.onshape.com/documents/a0eb5a7d6b5af5b43ce2a3df/w/968a66f0bf31952c7b962ea1/e/d9e44ce61aad3f4aaf96b4f3?renderMode=0&uiState=69eebebf36291c1f356370d6* All 3D printed files: printables.com/model/1702476-frame-for-altoids-tin-mini-cyberdeck* Project GitHub: github.com/exercising-ingenuity/altoid-tin-cyberdeckOTHER COOL ALTOIDS RELATED PROJECTS:Altoids Cyberdeck Updatereddit.com/r/cyberDeck/comments/1t0x7ts/altoids_cyberdeck_updateRedditor UmBeloGramadoVerde is working on this wicked e-ink altoid tin cyberdeck. They incorporated a full 18650 LiPo battery using this Geekworm X306 expansion board for the raspberry pi zero! (geekworm.com/products/x306?srsltid=AfmBOorVHbUVtPa070NnTQqFiVmDtiHLVu4CpVsbZFf4zmaV0AYdO49k)🤯ESP32 CYBERDECK PLAYS DOOM!😍 - Altoids Pocket Computeryoutube.com/shorts/Yrv3pZM4ebc?si=UlsNCALOAhc2YWaQThis creator @superradmaker came out with a Altoids Cyberdeck actually just a couple of weeks ago while I was editing this video! Great minds think alike I suppose!How to make a tiny kindle!!youtube.com/shorts/O4odvhCgHxE?si=XOzccza5PEiDi9LfCreator @mewtru made this awesome little eReader inside an even smaller mini Altoid tin!A fresh take?reddit.com/r/cyberDeck/comments/ml7o0t/a_fresh_takeM5 Stack and its keyboard, fit inside an Altoid Tin! This redditor built this sweet cyberdeck 5 years ago in 2021!Pi Tinhackaday.com/2025/03/21/a-cute-handheld-gaming-device-that-you-can-build-in-an-altoids-tinA clamshell handheld for portable fun, inspired by MintyPi.building a keyboard into an Altoids tinyoutu.be/VZ1lAV-ThZo?si=dtE_cR6HA-AhPrbvThis creator @flurples built a portable keyboard (The Mint Board) inside an Altoids Tin!Minty Piyoutu.be/ux9lXBexw0o?si=_Dmej29LMIEx7qGiDeveloped by sudomod, mintyPi runs RetroPie for emulation, featuring a custom PCB, a 2.4-inch screen, and a 3D-printed interior.KiII Mii: Portable Wi in an Altoids Tinyoutu.be/2VOLUOIwbP4?si=UC--3F438m_a0SnOA REAL Wii, not an emulator, in an altoids tin. Wild!
Building a Tiny Mechanical Keyboard Exercising Ingenuity 2026-06-20 | This is the teeny tiny mechanical keyboard I built for my Altoid Cyberdeck project. This build video runs trough step by step how I wired, built, and programmed this keyboard. 0:00 - Intro0:18 - Diode Matrix Keyboards & Wiring Explanation1:35 - Button Wiring for Compact Design2:41 - Gathering Materials & Tools3:55 - Cutting the Protoboard4:22 - Button & Diode Placement & Soldering5:50 - Microcontroller Wiring6:18 - Programming with KMK7:27 - Final TouchesBecome a Exercising Ingenuity member! Idea Idlers & the Ingenuity Engine help keep this channel running & help me dedicate more time to sharing cool projects with you all! youtube.com/channel/UCOJV9jf1qKzzrgomdYTr9bg/joinSubscribe for more DIY projects, cyberdecks, & creative contraptions!youtube.com/@ExercisingIngenuity?sub_confirmation=1Buy the RP2040 from Waveshare (This is an affiliate link, and helps support this channel): waveshare.com/rp2040-zero.htm?&aff_id=158415PROJECT RESOURCES:* Full project details and build guide (In progress): hackaday.io/project/205598-altoids-tin-mini-cyberdeck* Project GitHub: github.com/exercising-ingenuity/altoid-tin-cyberdeck* RP2040-Zero Wiki: waveshare.com/wiki/RP2040-Zero* CircuitPython: circuitpython.org/board/waveshare_rp2040_zero* KMK Github: github.com/KMKfw/kmk_firmware* Hand wire keyboard guide: yarukizerogames.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/handwired-keyboard-guide.pdf* Video on KMK Set-up: RP2040 Based 60% Keyboard - Part 2 - Installing KMK | C!rcu1t t.v youtube.com/watch?v=y2gyThifyFE
I wanted to create a robot for my childhood self Exercising Ingenuity 2026-05-13 | Ever since I was a kid, I've loved robots. Over the last year I have tried to create a robot that lives up to my childhood expectations. Based on Thomas Burns' Alexatron, and using a raspberry pi to add AI interactivity, I set out to build something that feels real with a character all its own.Full vdeo: youtu.be/8bKAo6rMBEoSubscribe for more DIY projects, cyberdecks, & creative contraptions!youtube.com/@ExercisingIngenuity?sub_confirmation=1PROJECT RESOURCES:* Full project details and build guide (In progress): hackaday.io/project/205139-tommy-b-003-a-portable-animatronic-robot* Full publicly accessible CAD on OnShape: cad.onshape.com/documents/53d643e5d1cf26bec16ee597/w/360fdf8faf7a82b20f4cd065/e/6cdc7f3cb94e4f1da9268968?renderMode=0&uiState=69a9bbbcfe39e73929291385* All 3D printed files: printables.com/model/1623576-tommy-b-003-a-portable-animatronic-robot* Project GitHub: github.com/exercising-ingenuity/tommy-b-003*Speech to Speech:*Open AI Realtime API: platform.openai.com/docs/guides/realtime*Facial Recognition:*Person Sensor: digikey.ca/en/products/detail/sparkfun-electronics/SEN-21231/16895653Person Sensor Development Guide: github.com/usefulsensors/person_sensor_docs/blob/main/README.md#connecting*Referenced Links:*Thomas' original Alexatron video: youtu.be/bO-DWWFolPw?si=7fviFDKGZLb1czLKAlexatron Hackster.io Page:hackster.io/tmburns/breathing-life-into-an-amazon-echo-device-ed9ea3Panasonic TR-003-C disassembly: youtu.be/oY3WMHNhBu8?si=n1LbiZGT_DqNMPtW Audio waveform visualizer guide: hackster.io/tmburns/turn-your-crt-television-into-an-audio-waveform-visualizer-8c93a5Will Cogley Realistic Eyes: youtu.be/RqZRKUbA_p0?si=k2L-4Vpzm4KlaZxhWill Cogley advanced eye mechanism: youtu.be/ihXxbQefl1c?si=p-RhOTzvBuZtyfqIRaspberry pi deck build using an old project-or-view:youtu.be/AxM77Y5YhwQ?si=GuP96OaTNXBqbWTj*CRT Safety:*youtu.be/N39PZB8gYhk?si=Q0lMOi1UNdGCnHv4youtube.com/watch?v=0X28FX_XxtU
Have you ever thought an altoids tin looks like a tiny computer? Exercising Ingenuity 2026-05-13 | Altoids Tins are the perfect container. From survival kits, custom handheld game systems, to sewing, watercolours, and first aid, people have been repurposing the tin of the curiously strong mints for decades. They are very nice little tins. Recently a strong desire came over me to build a tiny cyberdeck inside of one of these tins.Check out the full video here:youtu.be/j262kCYZxZI?si=Kk06Inlcg8xwI_gkCyberdecks are often built in rugged pelican cases, ammo cans, or other boxy form factors. An altoids tin checks a lot of boxes here: Rugged, boxy, and low-profile. My primary regret with this project is that I am unable to run Linux Mint on a Raspberry Pi Zero.Become a Exercising Ingenuity member! Idea Idlers & the Ingenuity Engine help keep this channel running & help me dedicate more time to sharing cool projects with you all! / @exercisingingenuity Subscribe for more DIY projects, cyberdecks, & creative contraptions! / @exercisingingenuity PROJECT RESOURCES:Full project details and build guide (In progress): https://hackaday.io/project/205598-al...Full publicly accessible CAD on OnShape: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/a0e...All 3D printed files: https://www.printables.com/model/1702...Project GitHub: https://github.com/exercising-ingenui...OTHER COOL ALTOIDS RELATED PROJECTS:Altoids Cyberdeck Update / altoids_cyberdeck_update Redditor UmBeloGramadoVerde is working on this wicked e-ink altoid tin cyberdeck. They incorporated a full 18650 LiPo battery using this Geekworm X306 expansion board for the raspberry pi zero! (https://geekworm.com/products/x306?sr...)🤯ESP32 CYBERDECK PLAYS DOOM!😍 - Altoids Pocket Computer • 🤯ESP32 CYBERDECK PLAYS DOOM!😍 - Altoids ... This creator @superradmaker came out with a Altoids Cyberdeck actually just a couple of weeks ago while I was editing this video! Great minds think alike I suppose!How to make a tiny kindle!! • How to make a tiny kindle!! Creator @mewtru made this awesome little eReader inside an even smaller mini Altoid tin!A fresh take? / a_fresh_take M5 Stack and its keyboard, fit inside an Altoid Tin! This redditor built this sweet cyberdeck 5 years ago in 2021!Pi Tinhttps://hackaday.com/2025/03/21/a-cut...A clamshell handheld for portable fun, inspired by MintyPi.building a keyboard into an Altoids tin • building a keyboard into an Altoids tin This creator @flurples built a portable keyboard (The Mint Board) inside an Altoids Tin!Minty Pi • mintyPi Build Guide Developed by sudomod, mintyPi runs RetroPie for emulation, featuring a custom PCB, a 2.4-inch screen, and a 3D-printed interior.KiII Mii: Portable Wi in an Altoids Tin • Kill Mii: Portable Wii in an Altoids Tin A REAL Wii, not an emulator, in an altoids tin. Wild!
Creating a robot for my childhood self Exercising Ingenuity 2025-06-06 | Ever since I was a kid, I've loved robots. Over the last year I have tried to create a robot that lives up to my childhood expectations. Based on Thomas Burns' Alexatron, and using a raspberry pi to add AI interactivity, I set out to build something that feels real with a character all its own.Subscribe for more DIY projects, cyberdecks, & creative contraptions!youtube.com/@ExercisingIngenuity?sub_confirmation=1PROJECT RESOURCES:* Full project details and build guide (In progress): hackaday.io/project/205139-tommy-b-003-a-portable-animatronic-robot* Full publicly accessible CAD on OnShape: cad.onshape.com/documents/53d643e5d1cf26bec16ee597/w/360fdf8faf7a82b20f4cd065/e/6cdc7f3cb94e4f1da9268968?renderMode=0&uiState=69a9bbbcfe39e73929291385* All 3D printed files: printables.com/model/1623576-tommy-b-003-a-portable-animatronic-robot* Project GitHub: github.com/exercising-ingenuity/tommy-b-003*Speech to Speech:*Open AI Realtime API: platform.openai.com/docs/guides/realtime*Facial Recognition:*Person Sensor: digikey.ca/en/products/detail/sparkfun-electronics/SEN-21231/16895653Person Sensor Development Guide: github.com/usefulsensors/person_sensor_docs/blob/main/README.md#connecting*Referenced Links:*Thomas' original Alexatron video: youtu.be/bO-DWWFolPw?si=7fviFDKGZLb1czLKAlexatron Hackster.io Page:hackster.io/tmburns/breathing-life-into-an-amazon-echo-device-ed9ea3Panasonic TR-003-C disassembly: youtu.be/oY3WMHNhBu8?si=n1LbiZGT_DqNMPtW Audio waveform visualizer guide: hackster.io/tmburns/turn-your-crt-television-into-an-audio-waveform-visualizer-8c93a5Will Cogley Realistic Eyes: youtu.be/RqZRKUbA_p0?si=k2L-4Vpzm4KlaZxhWill Cogley advanced eye mechanism: youtu.be/ihXxbQefl1c?si=p-RhOTzvBuZtyfqIRaspberry pi deck build using an old project-or-view:youtu.be/AxM77Y5YhwQ?si=GuP96OaTNXBqbWTj*CRT Safety:*youtu.be/N39PZB8gYhk?si=Q0lMOi1UNdGCnHv4youtube.com/watch?v=0X28FX_XxtU
Panasonic TR-003C: One of the smallest CRT televisions ever made Exercising Ingenuity 2024-08-01 | "The Panasonic TR-003C is a 3" Pop-Up TV with Cassette Tap Recorder. It operates on AC or a built in battery. Enjoy TV or record and playback radio on the built-in cassette recorder. Approximately 3 hour operation on a single charge and a 500-hour life span. IC, all solid state, electro-tuning. Complete with battery."This unit is probably over 50 years old. While this one is in fairly rough shape, it is still functional! The CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display is only 3", one of the smallest CRT televisions ever produced. Today we take a look at this old treasure and then we take it apart.Subscribe for more DIY projects, cyberdecks, & creative contraptions!youtube.com/@ExercisingIngenuity?sub_confirmation=1CRT Safety:CRT Safety - The Consumer TV Version - Cathode Ray Tube: youtube.com/watch?v=N39PZB8gYhkTech Support: Safely Discharge CRT Monitor: youtube.com/watch?v=0X28FX_XxtU
DYMO 1570 Label Maker: Full Disassembly and Reassembly - Meditative Maintenance Exercising Ingenuity 2024-07-05 | The DYMO 1570 is a fantastic embossing label maker that was built as early as 1960, and there are a ton of them still out there making great labels to this day.After my previous video there was a lot of interest in a full "uncut" video detailing the disassembly and reassembly of this label maker. So here it is.Come with me on a journey through the disassembly and reassembly of this classic device. Hopefully you will find this process as meditative and therapeutic as I do.I hope the sound quality is better on this one! Any and all feedback is welcome, let me know what you think in the comments!The original video:DYMO 1570: The Cadillac of Label Makersyoutu.be/axkx0cuFn9ASubscribe for more DIY projects, cyberdecks, & creative contraptions!youtube.com/@ExercisingIngenuity?sub_confirmation=1
DYMO 1570: The Cadillac of Label Makers Exercising Ingenuity 2024-05-10 | The DYMO 1570 is a fantastic embossing label maker that was built as early as 1960, and there are a ton of them still out there making great labels to this day.Today I take a look at my newly purchased DYMO 1570, disassemble it, fix some minor issues, and reconstruct it. It was great getting this timeless tool back up and running at full functionality.Hope you enjoy!Subscribe for more DIY projects, cyberdecks, & creative contraptions!youtube.com/@ExercisingIngenuity?sub_confirmation=1Another teardown of the DYMO 1570 that helped me along my way:youtu.be/uqG_mJiZ7Ls?si=rEtMUKM_GS-PyXNF
DIY Fiber Optic Bike Light - On a Key Chain! Exercising Ingenuity 2024-03-29 | For me, the most important quality in a bike light is the ability to always have it with me. That way, even if I am out after dark unexpectedly, I can still feel safe biking in the city.The flashlight featured in this video is the Olight i1R 2 ProCompany Website: www.olightstore.ca/i1r-2-pro-kit-small-keychain-light-1Amazon: https://a.co/d/gDUTbE8Subscribe for more DIY projects, cyberdecks, & creative contraptions!youtube.com/@ExercisingIngenuity?sub_confirmation=1#cycling #diy #bicycle #flashlight
I turned an old futon into a bike rack! #diy #bicycle #cycling #reuse #repurpose Exercising Ingenuity 2024-02-22 | The back yard I share with the rest of my house was always full of bikes, so when I saw this old futon on the side of the road I decided to build a bike rack for everyone to keep their bikes and free up space in the yard.I also used steel brackets, and screws that were in the recycling at work. All I had to buy was some paint and the lag screws.Full build video up on my channel!Subscribe for more DIY projects, cyberdecks, & creative contraptions!youtube.com/@ExercisingIngenuity?sub_confirmation=1
DIY Bike Rack: Repurposing a Futon Exercising Ingenuity 2024-02-13 | Transforming an old futon to create a backyard bike rack and lockup area for myself and the other tenants in my building!Subscribe for more DIY projects, cyberdecks, & creative contraptions!youtube.com/@ExercisingIngenuity?sub_confirmation=1
Building a Retro CyberDeck Inspired by the TVA Exercising Ingenuity 2022-09-29 | This project was built using an old Project-or-View slide viewer that I found at a thrift store. I was inspired by it's resemblance to a tiny computer, and decided to turn it into a small, portable, Raspberry Pi powered computer (Pi Deck).The retro aesthetics of the Project-or-View also reminded me of Marvel's Time Variance Authority and the TV Show Loki. So I ran with that as a theme to further build out the design. I imagined it as a field computer for TVA agents to take with them on their journeys into the various timelines of the multiverse.The project involved a fair amount of modification to the original components, as well as the design and fabrication of a number of custom 3D printed parts. These 3D printed components housed the electronics that would make up the computer and computer interface. Subscribe for more DIY projects, cyberdecks, & creative contraptions!youtube.com/@ExercisingIngenuity?sub_confirmation=1This Retro Raspberry Pi Deck can be powered by a standard AC outlet, or by the onboard 20100 mAh battery pack. It has all the functionality of a regular computer:- 4GB Ram Raspberry Pi 4B- 5" LCD Touchscreen- 7" Standard LCD Display- 1" GPIO Display- SD Card Reader- Micro SD Card Reader- WiFi Connectivity- Ethernet Port- Audio AUX Port- 4 Pin GX12 Aviation Connectors (USB Interface) (3x)- GX12 to USB Hub (4x USB Type A Ports)- Folding Keyboard- TrackpadHackaday Project Page:hackaday.io/project/187556-the-tva-pi-deck-field-computer
Building a LEGO Robot That Can Draw! Exercising Ingenuity 2018-10-24 | Continuing to explore my creativity I challenged myself to break out the old LEGO Mindstorms stuff and make a robot that could draw!It ended up taking the form of a delta bot mounted on its side. It's artistic ability is questionable, but I suppose that I can only blame its creator for that :PI hope you enjoy, give it a thumbs up if yo id :DSubscribe for more DIY projects, cyberdecks, & creative contraptions!youtube.com/@ExercisingIngenuity?sub_confirmation=1
DIY Articulating Arm Mount for a Phone or Camera Exercising Ingenuity 2018-02-12 | Filming and photographing projects is one of the real obstacles to sharing a creation. I've always found tripods and other setups to be cumbersome for filming on a workbench or desk. My solution was the offspring of a work lamp and a selfie stick, and has integrated phone charging with a micro USB cable. Built with minimal tools, this mount is compatible with any 1/4 in UMC attachment will work great with any phone or small camera. It is similar to the big, expensive articulating arms built for DSLR's but it is probably not strong enough to hold up a large camera. However this solution is optimized for a phone, and only costs around $20 to make, depending on where you get your lamp.I built this primarily to film what I am doing on my desk or workbench, but it could also be used to film and photograph in the kitchen, or anywhere else you want to have a flexible phone mounting option. This mount is also great for just watching videos on your phone without having to hold it up. You could even mount it to your bed and use it to hold your phone lying down!If you and up building one let me know, I'd love to hear how it went and any improvements you made. Or if you have an interesting idea about how this mount can be used, go ahead and put it in the comments! Subscribe for more DIY projects, cyberdecks, & creative contraptions!youtube.com/@ExercisingIngenuity?sub_confirmation=1Chapters:0:00 The Intro1:36 The Idea2:46 The Tools and Materials4:36 The Build Begins5:23 The Lamp6:20 The Selfie Stick7:54 The Glue8:19 The USB Cable 10:23 The Wiring & Lamp Reassembly 11:21 The Final Assembly 12:38 The Final Touches13:01 The Demo Materials:-Worklamp-Selfie stick-1m+ Micro USB Cable-SuperglueIKEA TERTIAL Worklamp:http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/20355434Tools:-Leatherman WaveLink to step-by-step instructions on Instructables:instructables.com/id/DIY-Articulating-Arm-Mount-for-Phone-or-Camera
