INTRODUCTION TO HARDWARE HACKINGSudar Muthu

Research Engineer

Yahoo! Labs

@sudarmuthu

http://sudarmuthu.com

AGENDA

• Why hardware for a software hacker?

• Isn’t it tough?

• Anatomy of a hardware hack

• Arduino

• Demo #1

• Talking to internet using YQL

• Demo #2

• Talking to mobile (Android ADK)

• Demo #3

• Some hack ideas

WHY HARDWARE FOR A SOFTWARE HACKER

• Ability to interact with the physical world.

• Removes the different layers of abstraction.

• It’s very satisfying to see objects obeying your command.

• Open lot of possibilities, especially in mobile space.

• It’s Fun!

ISN’T IT TOUGH?

NO!

ISN’T IT TOUGH?

NO!

And I will show you how

MotorsSensors

Processor

ANATOMY OF A HARDWARE HACK

MOTORS

SENSORS

PROCESSOR

ARDUINO

• Visual Basic for hardware

• Includes both Hardware and software

Photo credit Arduino team

DEMO

Let there be LIGHT

HARDWARE SETUP

CODE

TALKING TO INTERNET

What you need?

An Ethernet Shield or A Wifi Shield

TALKING TO INTERNET

You can also use YQL

Both JSON and XML parsers are also available

DEMO

Real time stock Quote indicator

TALKING TO MOBILE (ANDROID)

What you need?

ADK board or

Arduino and USB Host Shield

DEMO

Control LED’s Using Android phone

HACK IDEAS

• Get whether data and show it creatively

• Control a bot using Yahoo Messenger

• A creative way to show Messenger buzz

• Share business cards using NFC

• Snail mail alert

• A plant that pings you in Messenger when it needs water

• Get a ping in Messenger when your pet/child goes out of the door

Most importantly have fun

THANK YOU

Sudar Muthu

@sudarmuthu

http://sudarmuthu.com

http://github.com/sudar