An LED dress that is a tribute to the Hunger Games

Leslie Birch of Adafruit was recently nominated for “Geek of the Year” in Philadelphia and figured she needed an outfit to woo the tech-savvy crowd at the event. So what immediately came to mind? Recreating the show-stopping flaming dress from The Hunger Games, of course.

Just like Katniss Everdeen, Birch’s goal was to wow her fellow geeks at the gala. She got her hands on a used wedding dress and a petticoat and got to work. With 7-meters of NeoPixel 30 strips at her disposal, the Maker fashionista “removed the weatherproof casing and then soldered the strips together with tiny pieces of Adafruit’s new silicone wire.”

In her post, Birch notes that she slid the NeoPixel strips into the long casing on the petticoat, which not only allowed for illumination, but also created the modern day ‘hoop’ feeling which is perfect for a ball gown. Leslie knew that she wanted her dress to be motion-activated just as the one in the film. In order for the dress to react to a spin, the Maker needed a gyrosensor. After soldering up the wires and attaching it to the back of the ATmega32u4 based FLORA with foam adhesive tape.

To complete the outfit, she cut out a set of wings from craft foam and then covered them in a series of glue, chrome acrylic, and poly. They were not as stiff as she desired, but would be fully functional for her fiery outfit. Imagine combining this dress with the Luciferin necklace from last week? Whoever donned these creations would undoubtedly be mistaken for an extra from the next Hunger Games sequel!

Unfortunately, Leslie didn’t win “Geek of the Year,” but this design is still award winning in our minds!

Luciferin: A wearable plucked out of the Elizabethan Era

Our friends over at Adafruit have brought to our attention this mesmerizing piece created by lighting student Laura Jade. The Maker has a passion for history, design and technology, and this project is a superb hybrid of all three.

When developing this wearable, Jade looked to everything from the term ‘enlightenment’ to biological organisms that produce their own light. The name Luciferin is actually that of a molecule, which produces bioluminescent light in nature.

The sparkling LEDs across the piece are powered by the ATmega32u4 based FLORA platform. The project also includes an accelerometer that communicates with the microcontroller to direct the lighting to fit the wearer’s movements. The plastics adorning the front are laser cut and accented by EL wire.

It would be easy enough to believe that the Luciferin would be included in the next Hunger Games movie, or was a relic from an era long past. The antique design partnered with the high-tech functionality truly makes this necklace one of a kind. To check out more of Laura’s illuminating designs, we encourage you to browse her Tumblr page here.

3D printing your own virtual reality headset

It is without question that Oculus Rift has become the gold standard of the VR headset market; however, for those where a Rift headset is a bit out of reach, you can always devise your own in true Maker fashion. Noa Ruiz over at Adafruit has published a complete tutorial detailing how to do just that — create your own virtual reality headset with the help of some 3D printing and old-fashioned ingenuity.

To complement an instructional video, Ruiz’s comprehensive guide features a full materials list as well as an extensive breakdown of each step throughout the development process. “In this project we’re building a wearable HD monitor. This is great for anyone looking to make their own a personal display,” the Maker wrote in his introduction.

The design of the DIY VR headset is similar to that of the VR2GO mobile viewer, including a 5.6″ display. The main components of the headset consist of a four-piece design that “keeps secured with machine screws.” The Arduino Micro (ATmega32u4) and 9 DOF are mounted to the back frame with four screws, while a pair of aspheric lenses are mounted inside the frame panel. When mounting the monitor to the Arduino board, Noa compels fellow Makers to, “remember you can choose which way the (HDMI + Power) wires will connect into the monitor, either from the top or from the bottom.”

As for the 3D printing portion of the project, Ruiz has made the STLs readily available for download so that you can quickly load them up into the printer and be on your way.

Writing for Hackaday, Matt Terndrup notes that “it would be interesting to see if this design in the future can eliminate the wires and make this into a portable unit. Regardless of which, this project does a fantastic job at showing what it takes to create a homemade virtual reality device. And as you can see from the product list after the break, the price of the project fits under the $350 DK2 amount, helping to save some money while still providing a fun and educational experience.”

If you are interested in following Noa’s guide and creating your own VR headset, you can see the full guide over at Adafruit. For more innovative 3D printed designs, take a look at our archives here at Bits & Pieces.

Beach Buddy is a 3-in-1 necessity for a day in the sun

Planning and packing for a day at the beach isn’t easy. At times, it can seem that amount of supplies needed for just a few hours of fun almost takes away from the enjoyment. A Maker by the name of Starwisher has attempted to solve this issue by creating the 3-in-1-phone charger, boom box, and sunburn timer, appropriately dubbed the “Beach Buddy.”

The Beach Buddy started out as a final project for the Maker, where she set out to develop a device that “harnesses the power of Arduino, a UV sensor, and simple mathematics to make one nifty gadget sure to boost your outdoor summer fun!

The first function to be developed was the phone charger. Starwisher adapted the Solar Charger tutorial from Adafruit to fit her design. She then proceeded to follow the Beach Bag Boombox design, also from our friends at Adafruit, to further elaborate her creation. Though, the Maker did depart from the original guide to some extent by noting, “Instead of soldering a simple SPST slide switch into the wire, we’re going to solder in one of our SPST panel mount rocker switches.”

Within the code of her device, Starwisher included a simple formula to calculate how long you can stay in the sun with sunscreen on before a burn will develop. She had the idea for this option after getting a nasty sunburn at the beach, even after applying sunscreen.

By providing the Beach Buddy with some simple information via an LCD input, the gadget used this simple code: (Skin type time to burn ÷ UV Index) x SPF rating = time before reapplication of sunscreen) to alert the user to possible sunburn.

In all, Starwisher’s design is much more than a school project. In fact, it may very well become a summer necessity for anyone looking to spend day in the sun! The Beach Buddy can consolidate a multitude of devices that a common beach goer desperately requires, all with sun safety in mind!

To read the incredibly informative tutorial for the Beach Buddy, head over to Starwisher’s Instructables post here.

Close encounters of a wearable kind

Leslie Birch over at Adafruit has put together a tutorial for all of the believers out there. This stylish hat utilizes an Adafruit GEMMA Sensor pack and a basic bucket hat to mimic the sounds of otherworldly beings from the classic film, Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

The lid is features an onboard photocell that can sense when it is dark, once in the right environment, the hat can recite the digital sounds and colors made famous by the film. With NeoPixels sewn into the brim, the hat is equipped with the tiny GEMMA platform attached behind the seam of the lining. To make the spacey digital sounds, a piezo buzzer is onboard to recreate the tones of the classic flick. Also, a battery pack is sewn within the lining to assure that the hat can entertain at any given moment.

The ATtiny85-powered GEMMA platform allows the photocell to spark the hat to life whenever darkness falls. Though, if you’re impatient, you can simply cover the sensor with your hand and the hat’s musical notes will soon follow.

For those looking “surprise their friends with a mother ship on your head, Spielberg style,” you will need the following materials:

• GEMMA main board
• NeoPixels (Total of 10)
• Photo Cell
• Piezo Buzzer
• 500mAh LiPoly Battery and Charger
• Conductive Thread
• Alligator clips
• Soldering iron and Solder
• Heat Shrink Tubing
• Wire strippers, and Flush Diagonal Cutters
• Third Hand Tool (optional but very helpful)
• One stainless steel snap
• Sewing needle and Thread
• Scissors
• Adhesive Velcro
• Bucket Hat (recommend getting one size up to save room for the battery)

For those seeking to create this space-age cap themselves, follow along with the full tutorial at Adafruit. For more wearable designs, feel free to browse the Bits & Pieces archive.

Light up your day with this Trinket bracelet

Maker Marcus Olsson has designed ED bracelets before. Marcus’ last project featured an accelerometer so that the LEDs would react to the wearer’s movement. Now, his newest iteration sports a microphone that allows the illumination to react to the sounds that surround it.

The Maker’s friends began to pester him for a creation that interacted with the soundscapes in their environment, so he quickly got to work on this device. Powered by an uber-mini Trinket MCU (ATtiny85), the bracelet allows a microphone to communicate with a Neopixel strip affixed within the casing.

After an initial test, Marcus needed to make some adjustments to the 3D-printed shell of his bracelet to better incorporate the microphone. After some slight tinkering, foam tape enabled the microphone to be secured.

If you want to rock Marcus’ bracelet design at your next dance party, head over to his blog for a full tutorial on how to put the gadget together. For more stylish wearable designs, you always check out the Bits & Pieces archive.

Building a 16-button MIDI controller with Arduino

Whether you’re interested in music, video or just flat out fun, this easy-to-build full USB MIDI controller is the open-source tool of your dreams. The minds over at Adafruit conceived this 16-button device based upon their Trellis button platform and an Atmel-based Arduino Leonardo (ATmega32u4).

The Mini OONTZ is a 16-button version of the much larger original OONTZ design. The miniscule controller features LED backlit buttons, a slick 3D-printed case, and even the ability to be connected to an iOS device for mobile play. If you’re looking for a place to start, Adafruit has a guide to building your own MIDI controller using an Arduino. The full tutorial, which can be found over on Adafruit, list of each the materials you will need in order to build your own Mini OONTZ MIDI controller:

• 1 4×4 Adafruit Trellis Monochrome Driver
• 1 Silicone Elastomer 4×4 button keypad
• 1 Arduino Leonardo
• 4 10k Potentiometers

As Adafruit notes, the potentiometer knobs can either be 3D-printed or purchased online.

With the ability to work with any MIDI software and hardware, the full-USB Mini OONTZ truly has unlimited potential because of its inherent hackability. Through the Arduino Leonardo, the device can be wired to power MIDI notes, LEDs and the potentiometers can control even aspects such as modulation. The group designed this kit for ease-of-use and ultimate flexibility, and it is hard to argue against those claims when looking at this highly accessible platform.

If you’re looking to build your own OONTZ or simply want to learn more about the DIY musical gizmo, feel free to browse the original post over at Adafruit.

Send smells to your friends with Senti8

Have you ever been taking a walk on a perfect summer evening and wanted to scent the smell of fresh flowers to your loved one on the other side of the planet? Or, maybe you wanted to share the smell of a 4th of July barbecue with a friend to spark up nostalgia? Well, that dream is now a reality all thanks to Senti8.

The Senti8 team recently won the 2014 NYC NASA Space Apps challenge with their 3D-printed, Arduino-powered smell-sender. The ingenious wearable contraption started out as a hacked e-cigarette vaporizer and has evolved into what you see above.

Taking a trip into space can be an experience of a lifetime for many astronauts, yet giving up the comforts and familiarity of home can be even tougher than dealing with zero gravity  or confined spaces. In comes Senti8. The idea of the project stemmed from a conversation with an astronaut who remarked the thing he missed most about taking up residency in space was his sense of smell. Thanks to the smell-sending bracelet, these astronauts would now be able to bring along their favorite, nostalgic scents to help reminisce the things they miss the most.

By sending a message through an accompanying smartphone application, one Senti8 wearer can send a series of selected smells to another user. The wrist-mounted device utilizes Adafruit’s FLORA (ATmega32U4) to illuminate a series of NeoPixel LEDs that signify each corresponding smell.

Below you can view an interview with Senti8 team member, where she breaks down the specifics of the device.

If you’re heading into space anytime soon or simply interested in learning more, you’ll want to check out the Senti8’s official page here.

 

Top this Lady Gaga! A NeoPixel dress made with FLORA

A Maker by the name of Nikko Mamallo recently introduced a NeoPixel dress that will surely stand out at your next social gathering.

Though the dress may have shined in its original form, the Maker thought he’d add a bit more pizazz by including 46 NeoPixels and an ATmega32u4-based FLORA. What’s a party without some tunes? That’s exactly why he decided to incorporate a mic as well, giving the outfit the ability to react to music. The outfit can do 12 different light sequences, with some using random colors to move to sound.

In order to complete the wearable project, the Maker turned to Adafruit’s NeoPixel library, which used some code from their Ampli-tie project. To top it off, what would proper party attire be without some glittery shoes and a disco-ball purse to match? Both powered by Gemma (ATtiny85), the 20 LED sequins embedded into both accessories have the ability to blink and fade. In case you were counting, that’s 66 LEDs in total of fierce!

Nikko described his creation as a “definite show stopper and crowd pleaser,” when it made its public debut at a friend’s 21^st birthday party. Thinking you may want to light up your next social function? Learn more about Nikko’s design by checking it out at over at Adafruit.

Pac-Man inspired suspenders brighten your outfit

Known as “FLORA,” Adafruit’s wearable electronics platform is built around Atmel’s Atmega32u4 MCU. The microcontroller boasts built-in USB support, eliminating the need for pesky special cables and extra parts.

Today on Bits & Pieces, we’re covering a vintage arcade game-inspired design by Becky Stern of Adafruit. No stranger to some sweet DIY wearable gadgetry, Becky’s Pac Man Pixel Suspenders will certainly add some pizazz to the way you hold your pants up.

This set of “blinken-braces” boasts 30 NeoPixels, each of which are sewn to these suspenders and powered by a FLORA main board running a dazzling Pac Man-inspired animation, Stern wrote in the project tutorial’s introduction.

Early in the tutorial, Becky breaks down the list of the materials needed for the project:

• 30 FLORA NeoPixel RGB LEDs
• FLORA main board
• 3-ply conductive thread
• 3 x AAA battery holder with JST connector
• 1 pair suspenders
• Sewing needle
• Sewing machine and thread to match suspenders
• Sharp scissors
• Measuring tape or ruler
• Taiilor’s chalk

If you were thinking about embarking on this project yourself, don’t let the sewing intimidate you. Becky knowledgably describes the stitching process, “Use a sewing machine set to a zigzag stitch to affix three strands of conductive thread to the suspenders along one side.”

So your sewing is complete, what’s the next move? Becky recommends that you begin to make all of the required data connections prior to putting away the sewing machine. She states, “When your thread gets short, just interleave it with the threads under the zigzags and cut off the tail.”

Moving forward, once data connections have been checked for shorts, the suspenders must be programmed. Prior to programming, Becky warns that, “If any of your connections are flaky, reinforce them with conductive thread.” After the proper code has been uploaded, you’re ready to wear your work!

Now that you know how to make a pair of your own, the question is, are you bold enough to rock these with your next outfit? We know someone who is…

Interested in checking out some other slick FLORA projects? Search through our entire Adafruit archive here.