The Most Useless Machine EVER!??!!!
Why Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange recommends it
Electronics Stack Exchange askers link it as the reference example of a self-switching-off mechanism when asking about motorized switches, self-powering-off circuits, or building the device themselves.
Recommended by 0 people across 0 different months, 2013 to 2022.
What it is
A 19-second clip of the classic "useless machine": a box with a switch that, when flipped on, makes a mechanical arm pop out and flip it back off. Posted by Frivolous Engineering and inspired by the Minsky and Shannon "Ultimate Machine".
What people said
Cites user33154 · 2013-11 · Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange · on “Useless Machine geared motor”
I am attempting to build a “Useless Machine” from scratch. Here is a video of the device: [this video] . Also [if you want to], Google "The Most Useless Machine EVER! instructables" and click the first link for instructions on how to build it (I would link it directly but I am only allowed to post two links) Now onto the question: I need a geared motor (or continuous rotation servo) with enough torque to rotate a 5cm arm that will lift an approx. 60 gram wooden lid and flick a switch. I was wondering if this geared motor will suffice: [LINK] . Also, as I am powering it with 4 AA batteries, would you know how I would be able to lower the RPM of the motor from 100RPM to 50-30RPM while not sacrifici
Cites Mark · 2014-03 · Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange · on “Is there such a thing as a switch that can be actuated automatically?”
I'm interested in a toggle switch that can be toggled without user input. That is, the physical state can be toggled electrically. It would need to incorporate some sort of motor or magnetic actuator. My google-fu is weak in this area, and I haven't been able to come up with the correct combination of search terms. Note that I'm not talking about a relay; I'm talking about a normal toggle switch: Except that it can be toggled without user input. As in, the lever physically moves. Like a "useless machine" [this video] except that the mechanism is internal to the switch.
Cites awiebe · 2022-06 · Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange · on “Can I digitally open a circuit?”
As a basis for a low power project, I want to render the useless machine not useless [this video] A useless machine is a simple mechanism that powers up when a switch is closed, and then a mechanical arm moves to switch it back off. I want to apply this principle to my device waking up to do useful work only when a user interacts momentarily, and then completely shutting itself back off at a software determined time. In principle I understand I can do this with a relay, and a momentary switch, the momentary switch would energize the circuit closing the relay, which would then connect the source to the remainder of the circuit until another action opened the relay. I think that a similar sort of t