Week 6 – Anna Garbier | Computational Craft

Part 1: Control an LED using a soft sensor and Arduino.

Part 2: Build a circuit with one constructed sensor (variable resistor), your Arduino, and 3 (or more) LEDs or an RGB LED.

Watch in action here; still images below.

(the setup)

(full glass on sensor triggers all three LEDs)

(playing with light, water, and glass)

Summary: Arduino reads the analog input from a constructed pressure sensor, controlled for example by pouring water into a jar over the sensor pad. Based on the input, the Arduino controls three LEDs: the more pressure, the more lights turn on.

Pressure sensor materials: Velostat, conductive tape, cork, LEDs.

Code: https://github.com/annagarbier/annagarbier.github.io/blob/master/work/courses/2018/fall/computational_craft/resources/code/assignment_6.ino

Code snippet:

```
// This function determines the LED pins' output (HIGH or LOW)
// based on the sensor pin's input (held in the variable "average").
void displayLights() {
if (average > 200) {
digitalWrite(ledA, HIGH);
digitalWrite(ledB, HIGH);
digitalWrite(ledC, HIGH);
} else if (average > 150) {
digitalWrite(ledA, HIGH);
digitalWrite(ledB, HIGH);
digitalWrite(ledC, LOW);
} else if (average > 100) {
digitalWrite(ledA, HIGH);
digitalWrite(ledB, LOW);
digitalWrite(ledC, LOW);
} else {
digitalWrite(ledA, LOW);
digitalWrite(ledB, LOW);
digitalWrite(ledC, LOW);
}
}
```

Part 3: Document midterm ideas.

I’d like to create transparent modular blocks, each containing a piece of a circuit: e.g. one might contain a 3v battery, another a resistor, another an LED, and others just connecting components. A user would be able to play with the blocks by connecting them in 3d space; complete a circuit with the blocks, and the blocks with the LED shines.

The intention is to build something simple, playful, and educational.

(early ideation on paper)