“Working” Portal Gravity Gun – Floating Companion Cube!

I’ve never been a fan of so-called puzzle games. I’m not sure why, but they just never held my attention. Portal, though? Portal is a very interesting exception. It’s a puzzle platformer, and I think it’s the first person view that really drew me in… the incredible movement through 3D space, and the novel concept behind the game. Apparently I’m not alone here; someone with a lot more creativity and engineering ability created something extremely cool based on the franchise.

Remember the gravity gun? The cannon-like device you use to create portals from place to place? Well, a fellow named Caleb Kraft from Hack a Day decided it would be fun to create his very own gravity gun, and not just any portal gun. No, this one actually levitates a companion cube, just like in the game!

“Working” Portal Gravity Gun

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So, does it really work? Well, no… it doesn’t, but it’s still pretty damn cool. I’m not really one for trinkets or rubbish collectibles that simply collect dust sitting on the shelves of my apartment, but I think I would make an exception for this. It’s not often that we see a levitating object, and the surprise of my guests would make it worth the occasional need to dust the portal gun off.

I find it inspiring that people still take the time to create the odd contraption that’s really quite pointless, but that requires a lot of tinkering and experimentation. Projects like this portal gun force a person to use their brain in a creative way, and even if the end result isn’t particularly “useful”, the exercise itself most definitely was. In a world where so many of us simply consume, I’m happy to see us actually create every once in a while too.

portal gravity gun
Work in progress, and already looking pretty awesome.

Further Information

If you’re interested in learning more about Caleb’s awesome Portal inspired gravity gun, and finding even more awesome projects, then head over to Hack a Day and have a look around. Caleb talks about the creation of the gun in detail, and once you’re finished with that, you can check out other awesome projects these guys have done, like this finger input device. You’ll see… I swear it makes sense.

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Chad

Chad is the co-founder of Unfinished Man, a leading men's lifestyle site. He provides straightforward advice on fashion, tech, and relationships based on his own experiences and product tests. Chad's relaxed flair makes him the site's accessible expert for savvy young professionals seeking trustworthy recommendations on living well.

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