Arduino starter projects with a twist

[Matthew DeBlock]

Ayo,

I need to build a small creative technologist portfolio for some freelancing so I decided to do a bunch of arduino projects. I only have a month to build it so they all have to be relatively simple and cheap, but with the rule "must try to add something new to the idea". Here are the first three, prototypes turned out pretty good for low budget rush I think.

1.LED Music/Motion Staff

Overview of tech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYYf4gASHvg

some vids of testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYb9OaOKM7w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYORZksvQC0

-Arduino Nano X2
-Acrylic Tube
-LED strip (can be anything, but here custom made)
-Electret microphone X2
-Battery power supply X2

I know there are tons of LED staffs that can even draw persistence of vision graphics. This one does not use an accelerometer(yet), just electret microphones.

It can be done using a purchased led strip, but depending on dimensions custom might be better. For this one I tapered led density, low in middle high in ends, because the ends move faster so this helps it the light fill more evenly when spinning fast.

Electret microphone picks up sound and motion(well it picks up the "whoosh" sound of the motion anyway)

GREAT project for getting practice with sensor signal processing

(can easily be reduced to everything inside tube but for prototype testing and r&d I highly recommend an arduino on the outside at first ;) )

2.Laser Cocktails

Several designs running (hard to film laser effects, contrast is more than camera can handle)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEPBKDRgkvI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is1Mqfr-o0o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlvnS_Yzb7o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmWvgyK8kd4

-Arduino
-wine glass
-cheap led lasers
-agitator (motor, pump, speaker, etc..)
-electret microphone (or audio signal direct input to arduino)

Some very simple designs that use wine glasses and a teapot. this is more optics and visual design than anything. There are 2 levels to the design

A.Hardware - this is the agitator controlled by arduino system with electret microphone and the software that runs it. So many designs, and so many things that can be used. crystal wine glass, teapot, water glass, or any transparent vessel that can hold liquid.

B.Cocktail - The mix of liquid. So far the easy Water + oil is my fav. but you can add anything to change the physical/optical properties... glitter, gelatine powder, soap, etc..

Good for ambient music reactive decoration.

**TIP** take the lens off the led laser, it will give it a nice 90 degree or so beam, perfect for laser microscope effect at a short distance.

3.LED "finger dance bracelet"

-Arduino (nano best.. or any mcu that works)
-LED strip
-Sensor (accelerometer, magnetometer, etc..)
-Batter Power supply

Tech overview + short demo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IJ2xJ_HJys

a wearable led bracelet with an attached sensor that is placed on the index finger.

It allows the bracelet to not only react to the dancers/performers arm motions, but they can also micro-control it with the finger even when not moving the bracelet around in space.

Fun and easy, can be miniaturized into a commercial quality design, and is a great DIY project for learning arduino.



Thats all for now, First week has been fun, gotta keep going. If the next few turn out as well will post later.

also... (shameless self promotion ahead).
Going job hunt/freelance in a month. Just setting up home lab and portfolio then its off to the races.

Always interested in referrals ;)

Best,
Matt