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RubyConf AU 2015: http://www.rubyconf.org.au In the 1980's, Nintendo had plans for making a knitting add-on to the NES, with an interface that resembled Mariopaint, but with patterned mittens, sweaters, and scarves as output. Sadly, this product never saw the light of day. Devastated upon hearing this and dreaming about what could have been, a group of engineers (who knew nothing about machine knitting) set out to hack a knitting machine from the 1980's to be computer-controlled, using a tutorial from adafruit as a starting point.
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In her talk at RubyConf AU 2015, Amy Wibowo, a software engineer at Airbnb, explores the intersection of technology and knitting, inspired by a long-forgotten Nintendo knitting add-on. The presentation emphasizes the themes of problem-solving, hardware hacking, and creativity in engineering. Key points and takeaways from her journey include: - **Inspiration**: Wibowo's interest was sparked by an article about unproduced Nintendo peripherals, particularly a knitting add-on that could transform computer designs into real knitted garments. - **Acquisition of Technology**: After researching, she obtained a 1980s electronic knitting machine, which was complex and missing parts, embodying the challenge of retro technology. - **Hacking the Machine**: With help from her enthusiastic team at Airbnb, they approached the project as a hackathon goal, learning about the intricacies of the knitting machine, which felt similar to operating a complex device like a ‘control station of a Starship’. - **Engineering Challenges**: They encountered and solved multiple problems—including preparing the yarn correctly for the machine—using inventive solutions such as constructing a yarn spooling device from a coffee cup. - **Programming Integration**: A crucial step was developing software to convert images into a format readable by the knitting machine, including the creation of a web interface to make it user-friendly for anyone wanting to knit custom patterns. - **Team Dynamics**: The project highlighted the value of collaborative problem-solving and the absence of ego, which allowed the team to push through challenges with enthusiasm. - **Personal Growth**: Wibowo reflects on how the experience deepened her respect for knitters and emphasized the fun and humility in learning something new as a team. - **Future Possibilities**: She speculates on further advancements in knitting machine technology, such as automating the knitting process with robotics and integrating software with hardware for enhanced control. In conclusion, Wibowo's journey illustrates not just a unique intersection of knitting and technology, but also underscores the importance of collaboration, creativity, and adaptability in engineering. She encourages the audience to explore and combine their hobbies with technical skills, resulting in exciting projects and personal development.
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