I threw together a sensor node to collect some more detailed soil moisture data in my planter boxes. This is using an ESP32 with 3 capacitive soil moisture sensors. I connected that to Adafruit IO to collect and graph the data.
Tag: Adafruit
CircuitPython Connected Weather Cloud Lamp
This tutorial was created for Adafruit’s Learning Guide system. Click the link below to see the guide.
Function for rotating the TouchScreen matrix to match Display orientation.
Ok, so I ran into an issue when I rotated Display that repositioned the Button images but not the touchscreen coordinates. So the button hotspots did not remap. Thankfully I fingered out a way to recalculate the screen touch coordinates so that they line up with the Display orientation.
Continue reading Function for rotating the TouchScreen matrix to match Display orientation.PyPortal MQTT controller
This tutorial was created for Adafruit’s Learning Guide system. Click the link below to see the guide.
Bluetooth Circuit Playground What!
So anyone who has worked with me knows that I am a huge fan of Adafruit’s Circuit Playground development boards. It has been a huge help in getting people started with programming hardware because you can do so much with it before you even start plugging in other things.
I was so excited when they came out with the CP Express because now I could use Blockly to help even younger hardware developers on their way to making cool things. However, the MicroBit did offer a few more tantalizing options that made me choose it over the CP Express. Now it is hard to compare the two platforms because they both have a lot of value in different ways, but the one thing that stood out about MicroBit was Bluetooth Low Energy. The CP Express has IR communication and that is nice, but it is only line of site and that makes it hard to do projects that would involve networking. So the MicroBit typically would win out with projects that needed wireless communication.
Now with the introduction of CP Bluefruit this issue is solved an so many ways. I could see this coming based on some posts and a demo a few weeks ago on Ask an Engineer, but I was not sure if there would be a price increase with the new BLE support. Well it looks like not only is there no change in price, but the jump from and M0 to M4 Cortex processor makes this thing even more powerful as well.
I am supper excited about the idea of doing IOT workshops where the students get to program the devices that get networked. Basically this makes every CP Bluefruit into a smart light with a host of sensors on them. This could help students design and code puzzles for an escape room project… so many cool things that this can do now that is has BLE.
For now this is an Alpha version of the CP Bluefruit and that means that some hardware may change, but it is working for Arduino IDE and Circuit Python. Hopefully they will have a Blockly option soon as well. Not really time to start getting these for schools yet, but worth testing out as an early adopter and to keep an eye on for the near future.
More Info:
New RetroPi controller
So this is happening tonight…
It is using an Adafruit 32u4 Feather microcontroller with a program that sends keyboard commands over USB. It works quite well and I have plenty of pins left for more stuff.
IOT Holiday Lights
This tutorial will walk you through setting up a string of colorful holiday lights that connect to the internet. The lights can display many types of animations and colors based on information sent to it using Adafruit’s IO service. Once connected and programmed, IFTTT can be used to set date triggers as well as change animations based on your GPS location, the weather report for the day, and even when you are getting a call from your mother.
The hard stuff is already done and with just a bit of soldering and a few code edits, you will be deep into the beast known as the Internet of Things. Continue reading IOT Holiday Lights
The Techno Cyber Monk rides again.
I am on my way to the MakerSpace to finish up a few last minute things, then it is off to #ECCC. I installed a few dreads and have my Adafruit powered War Hammer.
A friend once said that I looked like some sort of Techno Cyber Monk walking down the street.