A fascinating new project showcased on Hackaday.io, led by the talented maker Michael Gardi, reveals a remarkable build titled Trekulator Where No Maker Has Gone Before. This project not only pays homage to classic technology but also highlights the innovative spirit of modern makers.

Beginning in September 2024, Michael embarked on an ambitious journey to recreate a device reminiscent of the original Trekulator, a gadget that many tech enthusiasts fondly remember from the past. His meticulous approach involved logging each step of his progress using the Hackaday.io platform, which serves as a vibrant community for makers and engineers to share their innovations and insights.

The project saw Michael first model the case of the device, ensuring that it not only looked the part but also functioned effectively. He successfully revived the original hardware, getting the 7-segment display operational and even enhancing it with sound support to bring the device to life. The addition of the keypad was a crucial step, as it allowed for user interaction, which was then followed by the mounting of a TFT display, offering a modern twist compared to the original's simpler interface.

Moreover, Michael meticulously wired up the breadboard implementation, which serves as the backbone of the device, before designing and implementing custom PCBs (printed circuit boards) that allowed for more efficient and reliable operation. As the project developed, he added several finishing touches, including upgraded keys for improved usability and a power socket to ensure the device could be easily powered.

Interestingly, where the original Trekulator relied on four red LEDs for display purposes, Michael opted for a vibrant TFT display, a choice that would have been considered extravagant in the technological landscape of 1977. This leap into modernity not only enhances the visual experience but also allows for more complex interactions.

On the software side, Michael faced the challenge of programming the ESP32 microcontroller to manage a variety of functions. The software had to accommodate audio output, graphics rendering, animations, keyboard input, and calculations displayed on the 7-segment display. This was no small feat, as the calculations were executed using double-precision floating-point values, introducing the possibility of peculiar behaviors in edge cases. For example, if the device is prompted to calculate the sum of two large eight-digit numbers, 90,000,000 and 80,000,000, the expected sum of 170,000,000 may not appear correctly on the display. Instead, users might see unexpected figures like 17,000,000 or 70,000,000, raising questions about the precision of floating-point arithmetic in this context.

This project is a testament to the creativity and ingenuity that thrives within the maker community. It encourages others to experiment and share their findings, prompting the question: can you build your own Trekulator and uncover any potential floating-point precision bugs? A big thank you to Michael for documenting this exciting project and sharing it with the Hackaday community!