Tag: Something Cool
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.
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Another late night at the shop.
I have been helping out with a project that will be featured at the Bay Area Maker Faire. This will be my first time there and I am super excited about it, but the deadline is tight. So yesterday I designed the structure for the display, prototyped it in cardbourd, then cut out all of the main supports on the CNC. I was there until 2am, but the parts look amazing and the fit is tight and solid.
The chalenges for this is that it all has to be flat packed for shipping, assembel quickly, and survive many potential shipments. So this is my solution.
Tomorrow I should have the basic structure built and will start installing electronics.
Such a nice day
This is the first day when it has been nice weather and I don’t have loads of work to do. So I thought it would be nice to take a trip to get some plants for the garden.
Along the way I stopped to take some photos of some blown out windows from the coffee house that exploded a few weeks ago.
While all of the shops still have plywood in the windows…
most have gotten artists to paint them with colorful murals. Here are a few from around the neighborhood.
Later I got a bag full of plants.
Then I got the garden all set up.
Lettuce is on the Left, herbs, root veggies, then spinach and other cook-able greens.
How to add Sound Effects to a Costume
From time to time I am asked about adding sound to a prop or costume. Thankfully, Adafruit has made this supper easy for all of us with a line of Audio FX boards that can be triggered without writing a single line of code.
Here are a few kits that I have picked out for anyone looking to add such a device to their outfit or prop. Continue reading How to add Sound Effects to a Costume
My Robot Blimp
The robot blimp is a project that I am currently working on as part of a weekly visit by a Seattle high school. Continue reading My Robot Blimp
Crazy Google door.
The Secret Door is presented by Safestyle UK