Randonaut Device Tells You Where To Be And When

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Randonauting is the pastime of using random numbers to generate a destination to visit, in the pursuit of adventure. Of course, anything that can be done on a website with a script is even cooler with custom hardware, so [Decker] built a rig for the job. 

The device uses a USB hardware random number generator to produce truly random numbers through quantum effects; at least, according to our best theories of the universe. These numbers are then used to pick a random set of GPS coordinates and a time in which to be there, a fun twist on traditional Randonauting of [Decker]ā€™s own creation.

At its heart, itā€™s a random number generator pumped through some Python scripts. Where this build elevates itself is not in the mechanics, but the presentation. The rig runs on a Raspberry Pi, inside a bell jar, with a vacuum fluorsecent display, fairy lights and plumbing components. It plays on the cyberpunk aesthetic, and itā€™s so much harder to ignore oneā€™s mission when the time and place are given in glowing numerals by an enigmatic, mysterious machine.

It looks like great fun, though beware the dangers of randonauting ā€“ some participants have found more then they bargained for. Itā€™s not dissimilar to the old geohashing craze. Video after the break.

 



from Blog ā€“ Hackaday https://ift.tt/2M77XFU

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