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DIY Guided Missle Technology

March 27, 2008

Did you know that by using readily available  consumer technology you can build the guidance-control group for a guided missle?  Here is your part list:

  • GPS - Boost Mobile Phone
  • Accelerometer - Wii or iPhone
  • Linux Server - Picotux

Using your iPhone or Wii remote you have access to data from advanced 3-axis accelerometers included in both devices.  If wireless access to your accelerometer is important the Wii remote might be your best bet, but only for weapons of mass destruction as it rounds the g-force readings down to two decimal points.  If you need greater granularity, necessary for targeting specific targets, I would go with the iPhone and its highly accurate accelerometer, but I recommend using a USB interface for your connection to the iPhone instead of relying on the built-in bluetooth connection.  Next you will need to pick up a cheap pre-paid Boost mobile phone and download a simple Java application and you have your GPS (reporting position data via serial cable or via phone).  Finally, connect all this to a tiny Linux server like the Picotux and do a little hacking and you can have a crude, but effective guidance-control system for your home brew missle.The guys over at Aerotech can sell you the rocket (try out the Mojave Green), but of course you will need to modify the rocket to accept your guidance package.  What will they think of next?

Written by Alexander Muse · Filed Under Blog, Personal 

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