Love tinkering around with a good tech DIY project? Perhaps you want to go above and beyond and try something futuristic? Well, in that case, these nine buzz-worthy futuristic projects will tickle your fancy.
They range from fun projects like the cyberpunk mask to practical ones like the coronavirus detector. So, have fun finding your favorite, or try each one at a time whenever you've got some downtime.
1. Futuristic Clock Back to the Future Style
If you are a die-hard fan of the Back to the Future film but can't seem to find suitable accessories, you can always build yours. This futuristic clock BTTF style is an excellent place to start.
In addition to displaying the exact timeframe the ever-cool Marty took a journey to the past and the future, this retro-style clock also shows you the current time. It requires a bunch of supplies, but they're easy to find, and this Instructable guide elaborates the DIY instructions.
2. Coronavirus Detector
The COVID-19 pandemic rocked the world in 2020, leading to global shutdowns. Although the infectious condition is now well mitigated, new cases are still reported daily, and you'd never know when you'll come across an infected person.
That is why you should consider building this practical but futuristic coronavirus detector. It's based on a digital infrared temperature sensor and looks like a gas mask, but much cooler thanks to the glowing eyes. Check out this Hackster guide for a list of supplies you need to begin and the steps to follow.
3. EGG: The Futuristic Chronometer
Always wanted a good chronometer? They are pricey, but you can skip buying them by building yours by following this Instructable guide. And it's much cooler than the standard chronograph because it's shaped like an egg. Plus, it can double up as a wall safe. Despite being unique, we loved it because it's pretty easy to build, and you can customize it whichever way you want.
4. Retro Futuristic USB Drive
Got a bunch of damaged USB drives you don't want to throw away? You can turn one into this incredibly unique retro USB drive. It resembles the incredibly futuristic-looking electron data crystals in movies like Stranger Things. It even has that special glow and is so cool everyone will want one. Check out this well-elaborated Instructable guide to see the supplies you need and the DIY instructions.
You can get more creative if this particular design isn't your thing. So, here are more awesome DIY USB flash drives you can build.
5. Cyberpunk Mask
Do you hate wearing a regular mask because it makes breathing hard or doesn't entirely protect you from polluted air? This futuristic cyberpunk mask on Hackster.io is just what you need to build. It has breathing vents that open up when the air is clean and suitable for breathing, allowing you a break from being inside the mask the whole time. The breathing vents remain open when the air is slightly polluted and close when the air is not suitable for breathing.
But what makes it even cooler are the three status lights that glow in different colors, including green when the air is suitable or unsuitable for breathing. The best part? It looks so cool that you'll walk around looking like a daft punk member. It's both functional and perfect for flexing, and it can add that awesome pizzazz to your Halloween costume.
6. 10W Retro-Futuristic LED Lamp
Want a cool lighting feature for your office desk or workstation? Check out this retro-futuristic LED lamp. Although the initial building costs are pretty high, it's incredibly economical in the long run because it lowers your utility bill. Additionally, it's more efficient than standard lamps and doesn't require extensive DIY knowledge; but it just calls for this well-detailed Instructable guide to build one. Here are more DIY LED projects you can work on during your free time.
7. Futuristic Milk Pack Solar Toy Car
The beauty of DIY projects, especially tech ones, is that you can turn everyday-use items into cool gadgets. For instance, this futuristic milk pack solar toy car turns a regular milk pack into a solar-powered toy car your DIY-loving nieces or nephews will fawn over.
So, please don't throw away that milk packet once you are through with it. Turn it into a practical, super-cool solar toy car you can gift that mini-me in your life or anyone who loves a good DIY product. Check out this Instructables tutorial to complete the project.
8. Real Flying Back to the Future Delorean
There's no denying the fact that Back to the Future is one of the most futuristic movie series ever to grace our silver screens. Despite being over three decades old, the franchise remains popular among the masses. It had a ton of awesome gadgets and predicted the emergence of techs like tablets and smart glasses. One of the really cool gadgets featured in the film is the flying Delorean, and you can easily build one by following this Instructable guide.
9. OpenVFD: 6 Digit IV-11 VFD Tube Clock
There are plenty of fantastic ways to turn a regular clock into something out of the future, and this OpenVFD: 6 Digit tube clock is an example. It's Arduino-powered to not only display time but also colorfully illuminated and can dance, glow, or turn into a unique rainbow.
It glows in a crisp, teal color thanks to the vacuum fluorescent displays (VFD) you can easily source from consumer electronic devices. If you would love to give it a shot, this well-elaborated Instructable guide is for you. It breaks down the concept of the clock and highlights the supplies and steps you need to follow to build one. Also, check out the video illustration above to see what it looks like and how it works.
Check out these DIY alarm clocks to start a great morning if you need to add an alarm to your futuristic clock.
Build Futuristic Gadgets With Your DIY Skills
You don't need to be part of the team at Tesla to build innovative or futuristic gadgets. You need an excellent tutorial or guide to create something that will knock the pants off of anyone lucky enough to see your projects.
From a cool-looking coronavirus detector gas mask to a cyberpunk mask that'll have you walking around like you are in an alien movie, we've compiled nine buzzworthy futuristic DIY projects to get you started. Try building one, or if you are incredibly into DIYs, try all of them. Consider tweaking them to suit your taste, or you can always make them exactly as highlighted.