Maker Faire Yearbook 2025

Projects

Found 274 Results

Older posts

Page 1 of 12

SpaceframeSCAD: Large-scale light-up sculptures, 3D printed, portable in a ziploc bag

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: Ken Wronkiewicz

Home: California

I wanted to make illuminated sculptures, but I only have so much room to work with. Thus, I asked myself "How would I make something that looks neat but fits into a ziploc bag?” Around the same time, I'd been browsing through the NASA Tech Report Server to look at the wealth of papers from the 1980s. I realized that the classic concept art renditions of Space Station Freedom was only really scratching the surface of NASA's ambitions to build giant structures in orbit, all in trusses and with great consideration to the size and weight of the structure. These helped me make SpaceframeSCAD, a tool to build parametrically defined pieces to build a variety of structures that can be assembled into site-specific illuminated sculptures. Surprisingly, my tool extended beyond light-up sculptures and artwork the node system lets build tomato cages that can transform into a greenhouse when spring arrives, making my garden look more like out of the set of Star Trek.

Shenzhen Galaxy Robotics INC

Faire: Bay Area

Nestworks presents Shenzhen Galaxy Robotics Inc., showcasing innovative robotics designed to push the boundaries of creativity, education, and technology.

The fascinating felt creatures & wildlife art of Catskills Design

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: Christie Langley

Home: California

Enjoy artist Christie Anne Langley's whimsical and detailed wildlife inspired artwork. From large needle felted sculptures of flora and fauna to ocean inspired acrylic paintings and hand drawn illustrations of animals, CatSkills Design captures the fantastical side of nature and translates it into unique art and artifacts for your home.

Feltthink, Felt everything!

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: sabri tunca

Home: California

At Feltthink, fiber artist Sabri Tunca transforms soft merino wool into extraordinary felt hats that are fun and colorful. Each hat is handmade using traditional wet and needle felting techniques and shaped into unusual sculptural forms.

Shiny the Robot

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: Russell Wilcox

Home: California, United States of America

Shiny the Robot wanders around the Faire, mixing with humans, because this is the future and robots live among us. He likes to talk to people, especially children because they are about as tall as he is. He gestures with his head and arms and glows with light. As far as robots are concerned, Shiny is a puppet because he is radio controlled and voiced by humans. Even so, how many famous puppets have made people happy?

OMTech Laser

Faire: Bay Area

Home: United States

OMTech is the leading destination for reliable, accessible laser machines built for makers. From CO₂ engravers to fiber markers and beyond, we empower crafters, artists, and small business owners to create without limits. Founded in Anaheim, California, by a team with over a decade of laser engraving experience, OMTech launched its first CO₂ laser in 2014. Today, we are the largest online seller of laser engravers in the U.S.—trusted by over 183,100 creators worldwide. Our mission remains simple: to provide high-quality, accessible tools that power the next generation of creatives.

Go-Carts from Field Middle

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: 8th graders Field Middle

Home: California

Built by our 8th graders at the end of the 2024-2025 school year, these go-karts are a Field Middle favorite. Students designed, measured, cut, and assembled these sturdy, playful vehicles while honing their engineering, problem-solving, and craftsmanship skills. At Maker Faire, our students love giving visitors rides in these colorful carts—come by and let them push you around!

Snail & Rabbit’s Workshop

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: Snail & Rabbit's Workshop

Home: California

At Snail & Rabbit's Workshop, we're on a mission to create weird little wonders that spark joy, curiosity, and a touch of magic. As two witchy weirdos with a 3D printer farm and a dream, we craft poseable companions and spellbound décor from our Northern California workshop. Whether you're a collector, fidgeter, or lover of the unusual—we invite you into our world of tinkering, laughter, and handcrafted charm.

Bottango

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: Bottango LLC

Home: Washington

Bottango's free animatronic control software, intuitive hardware, and easy DIY animatronic kits make creative expression through robotics and animatronics accessible to everyone. Come try hands on animating of animatronics! We're excited to be at the Bay Area Maker Faire for our third year in a row!

Gyges Labs DigiWindow Invisible Display

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: Gyges Labs

Home: California, United States

Based on the team's unique accumulation in the field of micro and nano optics, Gyges Labs has developed the world's smallest micro near-eye display system. Ultimately solving all the challenges of simplifying and returning smart glasses to their essence. The Six breakthroughs: 1. Safer: No rainbow patterns and no obstruction to the main feld of view. 2. More Compact: Free from the constraints of traditional lenses, with such a tiny size, the glasses can achieve a diverse and compact appearance. 3. Lower Usage Cost: Fully compatible with both near and far-sighted vision correction. No need for custom lenses, making prescription adjustments as easy as with regular glasses. 4. Lower Power Consumption: Capable of significantly reducing power consumption. 5. More Natural: Compared to existing optical solutions on the market, the Digi-Window technology is lens-free, meaning there's no light leakage, eliminating any concerns about exposure causing embarrassment. 6. Lighter: These smart glasses complete

FIRST Robotics

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: Northern California FIRST Robotics Teams

Home: California, United States of America

Teams of middle school and high school robotics teams will present their robots and interact with visitors. The FIRST LEGO League Challenge program is designed for middle school aged teams, FIRST Tech Challenge program is for junior high and high school aged teams and FIRST Robotics Competition is a high school team competition. Teams will show off their student-built robots!

Woolbuddy Needle Felting Workshop: Make Your Own Character

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: Jackie Huang

Home: California

Discover the magic of needle felting with Woolbuddy! Watch wool transform into adorable felt creatures, explore our handmade collection, and join a fun hands-on workshop to make your own woolly friend—no experience needed!

Artineering

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: Brian Calaway

Home: Arizona, United States

Making straws camshafts drive shafts and more

Micro-marvelous

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: San Francisco Microscopical Society

Home: California

An interactive microscopy exhibit, delve into the intricate details of everyday objects using a variety of microscopes. Explore microscopic plant structures, silicon microchips, and the fascinating world hidden in pond water. A large screen showcasing a live microscopy demonstration. Accept our invitation to discover the unseen and be inspired by the microscopic universe.

United States Space Force

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: United States Space Force

Home: United States

The U.S. Space Force was established on Dec. 20, 2019, creating the first new branch of the armed services since 1947. The establishment of the USSF resulted from widespread recognition that space is a national security imperative. When combined with the growing threat posed by strategic competitors in space, it became clear that there was a need for a military service focused solely on pursuing superiority in the space domain. Space Force defends and expands our reach in space—protecting satellites, ensuring safe access to orbit, and fueling innovation that lets engineers and students alike turn curiosity into real-world possibilities. They also run programs like STEMtoSpace, connecting Guardians with K-12 classrooms to share how science, space tech, and national security intersect.

Light Work

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: Kevin Combs

Home: California, United States of America

What is life without light? The Sun brings warmth and the gift of sight, yet also casts our shadows. This is my attempt at changing the way we perceive light. Using a variety of liquids, oils and dyes, I attempt to bend light into different shapes and forms. These images were taken by me in my home in an attempt to preserve a moment. Use this time to appreciate your light and make friends with your shadow.

Steam Powered Tesla Coils

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: Kinetic Steam Works

Home: California, United States

Never publicly been seen before is this truly novel modulation scheme to get full range audio out of a Solid State Tesla Coil arc. This is not your standard "singing" or "MIDI" style coil! The A/D and math is done by a lowly ESP32 and the power provided by our 75 horsepower, 26,000 pound steam traction engine from 1917 and a vintage, belt-driven 37.5KVA 3-phase generator head. We also have our steam powered letterpress printing commemorative prints and several tabletop presses that you can try your hand at making your own multi-color coaster print!

XTool

Faire: Bay Area

Home: United States

Empowering makers of all skill levels, XTool delivers intuitive laser engravers, cutters, and multi-mode craft machines designed to make creation easier, more precise, and a lot more fun. Whether you’re just getting started or running a side business, their tools help you do more than scissors or knives ever could.

Peninsula Precious Plastics

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: Peninsula Precious Plastics

Home: California

Peninsula Precious Plastics is a non-profit located in San Carlos, California, working with students, artist, entrepreneurs and community members to support projects focused on sustainability by up cycling plastic waste in to long life objects. At Maker Faire Bay Area 2025, participants can learn about the global Precious Plastic community, the open source tools it provides and how they can get involved in both up cycling plastic waste and learn how to live with less plastic!

Homebrew Robotics Club

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: Homebrew Robotics Club

Home: California

HBRC is a club of robotics enthusiasts from families with middle school kids to retirees who like to experiment with all different kinds of robots. From small table top based robots to full-size humanoids, from rovers to robotic arms. We have some members who work for robotics companies but we see it as a hobby and a way to learn and educate each other. Some members have fun at competitions like RoboGames or the club also has a couple of exhibition meetings every year, where members can present their robots. HBRC is participating in the BA Maker Faire for many years (and different members in other Maker Faires as well).

Architect’s of Air Luminarium

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: Architect's of Air

Home: United Kingdom

From the Guggenheim in Spain to the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the monumental and interactive walk-in sculptures of Architects of Air and designed by Alan Parkinson, have astounded audiences across the globe. Architects of Air has toured the luminaria since 1992 and visited 43 countries. The luminarium offers a dazzling maze of winding paths and soaring domes where Islamic architecture, Archimedean solids and Gothic cathedrals meld into an inspiring monument to the beauty of light and colour, and where visitors can happily loose themselves. The installation awakens all the senses, creating a sense of wonder and enchantment for all ages. Visitors are transported and immersed into an amazing world of light and subtle and saturated hues, for a unique sensory experience, and brings visual art in places where you wouldn't expect it. It is a paradox that such a stimulating environment can simultaneously be so calming and comforting. Many people find a luminarium a place for rest or meditation.

AI Mirror

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: Aditu Arts

Home: Lagos, Nigeria

AI-generated art has become a huge phenomenon over the past couple of years. Very recently, AI-generated Ghibli-style versions of pictures have sparked a prominent conversation on social media about AI and its artistic capabilities. Aditu intends to bring this conversation to the Maker Faire. The AI Mirror brings AI-styled art to a real-time "Mirror" interface: Participants stand in front of the Mirror and see an AI-modified reflection of themselves. People will see themselves being reflected in Ghibli, Anime, cultural, etc styles. The reflection mimics their movements and gestures (like looking in a normal mirror), but its visually modified by AI in ways that spark curiosity and conversation.

R.O.B.

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: OrbitusRobotics

Home: California, United States

ROB is the first droid with all Mac hardware. Using only Apple sdk's and api's I am able to create magic between components. Thanks to the new networking.framework, I am able to auto connect with bonjour services between my droid, the controllers, and even other bots. I wanted to make the simplest and most affordable Droid, I wanted to bring all of our imaginations to life and I wanted to push the boundaries of technology just a bit further and beyond reach. ROB is a Droid with toddler level neural network intelligence. His chat server was built with a python CakeChat neural emotion engine which gives him lots of interesting things to say! R.O.B. runs on OSX and has LiFePO4 80 Ah batteries for hours mobility with the finest BLDC motors that Shenzhen, China has to offer.

Giant Derby Skates!

Faire: Bay Area

Maker: Carquinez Quad Squad Roller Derby

Home: California

Built on 2 motorized wheelchairs are 2 giant roller skates ready for Roller Derby! The skates were built as a collaboration with team members from the Carquinez Quad Squad Roller Derby Team, based in Vallejo! Come and learn about both roller derby and the art cars!

Older posts

Page 1 of 12