Playing laser tag with an ATmega328P

Skirmos is an open source, versatile laser tag system that features an ATmega328P microcontroller (MCU), Arduino bootloader, color LCD screen (acts as a realtime HUD) and an infrared LED.

Additional key specs include:

• RF module
• SD card slot
• 
Sound card (accepts .mp3 and .wav)
• Speakers
• 
RGB LED grids (stretch goal)
• 
Internal LEDs
• Infrared receivers (38khz)
• 
16mhz clock
• Plastic transparent custom shell
• USB port (data from computer to system)

“The hardware will make Skirmos better than airsoft and lasertag combined. It maintains the realism, range and ruggedness to play outdoors like airsoft, while having the accuracy, feedback, and dynamic cheat-proof gametypes of lasertag,” Skirmos rep Allan Ivanov wrote in a recent Kickstarter post.

“This means the final design of the systems will include accurate iron sights and a rail system for attachments for ranges over 500 feet.”

According to Ivanov, Skirmos rifles communicate with one another via radio, with infrared optics facilitating “extreme ranges” for sniping.

On the software side, Skirmos allows players to easily alter fire modes (semi-automatic, three-round burst, automatic, etc), as well as the rate of fire. Plus, each player is assigned a specific ID to avoid friendly fire incidents.

In addition, Skirmos offers a trio of preset gametypes: basic, free-for-all and team slayer. However, the platform is ultimately expected to boast an almost unlimited number of gametypes.

“Because of the open source aspect, you will be able to create your own gametypes. This might be tweaking with the respawn time on Capture the Flag, to creating your own objectives and modes,”
 Ivanov explained.

“So imagine playing custom gametypes that other users have made like Search and Destroy. Rest assured, you won’t need to be a programming master to design your own games. If Skirmos is successful, we will create an auto-builder, a drag-and-drop program to quickly and easily create new gametypes (stretch goal).”

Interested in learning more about Skirmos? You can check out the project’s official Kickstarter page here.

ATmega328P mods this console controller

Marcel Smith has modded and tricked-out a PS3 dualshock controller using an ATmega328P microcontroller (MCU).

Additional key components and features include:

• Supports Arduino bootloader
• 
Programmable via USB
• Dual force feedback
• 2.4GHz 60mW Xbee pro module (optional)
• 2.4GHz Wi-Fi module (optional)
• Low profile pinheader
• Wireless module configuration via USB port
• Open hardware/software
15 digital buttons
• Two analog triggers
, two analog joysticks
• 3.7V Lipo battery
• USB auto battery charge
• Borderline 0uA standby current

The modded device – which recently surfaced on Indiegogo – is aimed at DIY Makers and hobbyists interested in a versatile remote control platform.

“You can use and program the controller for robotics, RC cars, planes, helicopters, drones, boats, hovercrafts and FPV,” Smith explained.

“The controller uses an ATmega328P, the same as on the Arduino Uno. This makes it easy to adapt the Arduino platform on the controller. You can upload your sketches via the USB port. The hardware and software is open for everyone, this makes it possible to program your own functionality into the controller.”

Makers can also directly configure the Xbee/Wi-Fi module via USB using X-CTU by simply setting the UART software switch in the right direction.

“The controller sends serial messages to the USB port, so even without wireless module it is possible to control something like a game on your computer with the controller (force feedback),” Smith added.

Interested in learning more about the Atmel-powered modded controller? You can check out the project’s official Indiegogo page here.

Arduboy is an uber-mini game console

A Maker by the name of Kevin has created an uber-mini handheld game console using Atmel’s ATmega328p microcontroller (MCU).

As HackADay’s Brian Benchoff notes, the Arduboy build utilizes a number of unique design techniques.

“The inspiration for this project began when [Kevin] dropped an SMD resistor into a drill hole on a PCB. This resistor fell right through the hole, giving him the idea creating a PCB with milled cutouts made to fit SMD components,” Benchoff explained.

“With a little experimentation, [Kevin] found he could fit a TQFP32 ATmega328p MCU in the Arduino – in a custom square cutout. [Additional] components – including a CR2016 battery and OLED display- use the same trick. The rest of the design involved taking Adafruit and Sparkfun breakout boards, modifying the individual circuits until something broke.”

Kevin’s unconventional PCB design approach ultimately resulted in a handheld game console that measures only 1.6 millimeters thick – and boasts capacitive touch sensors for controls.

So what’s next for the Arduboy? Well, Kevin says he wants to release the design files and source code under a fully open source license and launch a crowd sourcing campaign.

“I also would like to sell [Arduboy] kits on my site and on Tindie,” Kevin wrote on the project’s page.

“[Plus], I would like to design the board with four layers and place the circuit traces entirely on the board interior. This would allow for test points to be placed in standard ISCP and FTDI configuration, eliminating the need for an otherwise custom bed-of-nails programming interface.”

Interested in learning more about the Arduboy? You can check out the project’s official site here.

ATmega328P + ARM Cortex-A7 = Akarel

Akarel – which recently surfaced on Indiegogo – is a hardware development kilt that integrates Atmel’s ATmega328P microcontroller (MCU) and a 1GHz Allwinner A20 dual-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor (CPU) on a single board with a touch screen.

As Akarel creator Karel Kyovsky notes, the platform is targeted at devs and Makers who require a touch screen interface to implement their respective projects.

The development platform is currently available in two iterations: Akarel 7 (7-inch display) and Akarel22 (22-inch display). The former features an industrial grade projected capacitive multi touch connected via I2C, while the latter is equipped with a USB-linked capacitive single touch.

“Some development kits are missing displays or touch, [while] others use obscure software stacks. Imagine implementing your hack ideas within hours instead of days like you’ve been doing until now,” Kyovsky explained.

“Akarel integrates Android OS running on [the] ARM Cortex A7 via UART, with Arduino software running on [Atmel’s] ATmega328P MCU. Integration and connection of both chips on [a single] PCB [offers a number of] advantages.”

According to Kyovsky, these include:

• 

Graphics and UI capabilities of Google’s flagship Android OS
• Optimized environment for application development
• Seamless network connectivity via WiFi or Ethernet
• Access to extensive Arduino community libraries

Kyovsky says he envisions Akarel being used to develop smart home automation and security systems, kiosks/payment terminals, along with Internet of Things (IoT) devices and appliances.

On the software side, the Akarel kit offers Makers and developers access to a Git repository stocked with Uboot source code, Linux kernel source (3.4.39), fine-tuned Android OS sources (4.2.2), Arduino firmware sources, Arduino tools (i.e. avrdude) and example apps.

“We want you to concentrate on writing an application not on spending time to make the basic things work. We have done it for you already. And if you want to dive deeper and modify the Linux kernel or Android OS…Why not? You have all the sources available for you to change and compile,” Kyovsky added.

“In order to save you from the hell of installing all the toolchain (correct version of gcc, libs, headers, automake, make, java, you name it) we have also prepared a Ubuntu virtual machine for you which may be downloaded and which has [the entire] toolchain preinstalled so that you can start recompiling your complete stack within a few minutes.”

Interested in learning more about the Akarel? You can check out the project’s official Indiegogo page here.

Going 8-bit AVR with the DUO portable computer

Back in 2013, Bits & Pieces got up close and personal with Jack Eisenmann’s multi-core homebrew computer which is built around 16 ATMega328P microcontrollers. However, the talented Eisenmann didn’t stop there, as he subsequently decided to create the DUO tiny, a programmable computer based on Atmel’s ATtiny84.

Earlier this week, Eisenmann debuted the DUO portable, an inexpensive 8-bit computer based on Atmel’s ATMega1284 MCU. The platform is equipped with a black and white LCD output, along with a QWERTY keypad input.

Files are stored in a 64 KB EEPROM chip, with data written and read via a host computer through a serial interface.

All programs on the computer are written in a proprietary language dubbed “DPCL,” an acronym for DUO portable command language. Essentially, 

DPCL consists of plain ASCII commands interpreted by the ATMega1284. The programs are checked for syntax errors during runtime, with 12 KB of RAM allocated for DPCL programs.

Interested in learning more about the 8-bit AVR DUO portable? You can check out the project’s official page here.

Sabertron sword play with an Arduino Fio

Sabertron – which recently surfaced on Kickstarter courtesy of LevelUp – is a wireless multiplayer foam sword fighting game designed to electronically keep score of successful thrusts and other methods of attacks.

More specifically, a sword-to-sword hit is ignored, while a hit anywhere else remove points from an integrated health meter.

Current Sabertron prototypes are built using 3D printing technology, various lightweight plastics, LEDs, a custom PCB and an Atmel-based (ATmega328P) Arduino Fio.

Ultimately, says the LevelUp crew, Sabertron swords will be as light as possible, sturdy, well balanced, with appropriate sci-fi sounds. Indeed, the reward products are slated to be constructed of polycarbonate, impact resistant plastic, rubber handle grips and tough lightweight foam.

For the initial reward product, only two players can play at a time. However, a multiplayer “scoreboard” health meter mounted on the chest and back of each player will be available in the near future, allowing the participation of more than two fencers.

In “Melee Mode,” the scoreboard will support a virtually unlimited number of players, along with a wide range of accessories including active shields, helmets and body armor.

Interested in learning more about Sabertron? You can check out the project’s official Kickstarter page here.

ATmega328p powers this Smart Nixie Tube

The Smart Nixie Tube – which recently surfaced on Kickstarter – is an open source platform powered by Atmel’s versatile ATmega328p microcontroller (MCU).

Designed by Tyler Nehowing, the platform is fully programmable using the unmodified Arduino IDE, as it appears as an Arduino Uno running at 16MHz/5V.

“The Smart Nixie Tube was created to fill the gap that all other Nixie Tube displays create by allowing unlimited digit length – from one digit to as many as your project requires,” Nehowing wrote in a recent Kickstarter post.

“Adding more digits is as easy as connecting headers together. You can chain Smart Nixie Tubes together and control them from anything with a serial port.”

According to Nehowing, the Smart Nixie Tube is equipped with a status LED on pin 13, meaning users can download the ubiquitous ‘blink’ sketch to get started.

“Using the included FTDI programming adapter, you can program the Smart Nixie Tube using the standard Arduino Development Environment,” he explained.

“Use the example code provided or create something brand new, it’s extremely easy to program since you can treat it exactly like an Arduino Uno.”

The Smart Nixie Tube is packaged with headers that can be soldered to the top PCB allowing user to chain multiple Smart Nixie Tubes together. Each Smart Nixie Tube consumes a maximum of 300mA at 9VDC, with the example code treating the data as a First In First Out (FIFO) buffer.

“You just have to connect the FTDI adapter to the leftmost digit. Data is then passed from left to right, from Smart Nixie Tube to Smart Nixie Tube until all digits have data,” Nehowing added.

Interested in learning more about the Atmel-powered Smart Nixie Tube? You can check out the project’s official Kickstarter page here.

ATmega328P powers Project Lucidity

Dinesh Seemakurty has debuted an innovative sleep mask designed to help the wearer achieve a state of lucid dreaming. Aptly named Project Lucidity, the sleep mask is Maker and modder friendly.

“This lucid dreaming mask is built to be messed with. Engineered using Atmel’s ATmega328P MCU on a 8mhz resonator, the mask is fully compatible with the Arduino IDE,” Seemakurty wrote on the project’s official page. “The [platform] is rechargeable and reprogrammable using the [integrated] micro-USB port so you can make it completely your own. Lucidity was built for any alarm app developer or anyone interested in sleep tracking to incorporate this project into [a] new or existing product.”

So, how does Project Lucidity work? Well, the device initially communicates with the user’s smartphone accelerometer – an action triggered only when the user is already asleep.

“During your action packed dreams, your body paralyzes itself to prevent you from acting out those epic kung-fu moves in real life. In those beautiful moments of bliss, Project Lucidity will activate and aid in your metamorphosis from a measly dreamer to the key-bearer of your subconscious, [with] 8 super bright red LEDs rhythmically blasting photons through your eyelids to nudge you towards lucidity,” Seemakurty explained.

“By flashing these unique light patterns only when you are dreaming, the stimulus will show up as anomalies in your dream. Your brain is tricky though, it will incorporate this visual stimulus into your dream. You might start seeing police lights, feel like the sun keeps flickering, or for some reason a firefly wont stop dancing in your face. With practice, you will recognize these anomalies and realize when you are in a dream, allowing you to become lucid and control your dreams.”

As expected, Project Lucidity’s LEDs are completely customizable, with users setting light pattern type, stimulus speed and brightness. Meanwhile, 
a specially designed smartphone app alerts Project Lucidity when the user is naturally waking up from his or her deep sleep cycle – gradually brightening daylight LEDs to simulate a sunrise.

Interested in learning more about the Atmel-powered Project Lucidity? You can check out the project’s official page here.

Video: Building touch-sensitive furniture

A Maker by the name of Tinkering Techie has designed a beautiful touch-sensitive nightstand powered by an Atmel-based Arduino Fio (ATmega328P).

Additional key project specs include a number of LEDs, magnetic reed switch for drawer sensing, a PowerSSR Tail for lamp control and a 1000 mAh Lithium Ion Battery for backup power. The nightstand itself is built out of mahogany, with three Kapton-covered copper clad boards placed along the front and side edges (under the top of the nightstand).

As the HackADay crew notes, the sensing boards are connected to the Arduino Fio which is tasked with turning on a night light (one tap) or lamp (two taps).

“The electronics are powered by a small USB charger with a battery backup all hidden underneath the top of the nightstand,” explained HackADays Brian Benchoff. “Inside the drawer, a magnetic reed switch turns on an RGB LED whenever the drawer is opened.”

Interested in learning more about the Atmel-Arduino powered touch-sensitive nightstand? You can check out the project’s official page here.

8-bit gaming with Atmel’s ATmega328P

A Maker by the name of Petri Häkkinen recently coded an 8-bit game titled Toorum’s Quest II (with visuals by Antti Tiihonen and Juho Salila) – along with an Atmel-powered 8-bit console (ATmega328P MCU) on which to play it.

According to the folks at IndieStatik, the aptly named “Box” console is equipped with 2 kilobytes of RAM, 32 kilobytes of program memory, a resolution of 104×80 and four audio channels. The platform – which is capable of displaying 256 colors along with three sprites per scan line – also supports chiptune music along with the use of NES controllers.

“I am in awe of the ingenuity and drive that it took to create Toorum’s Quest II, as well as the retro micro-console that was made to play it. [The game is a] platformer in which you collect treasures and avoid monsters. The name ‘Toorum’ may be a name familiar to players of Legend of Grimrock,” writes IndieStatik’s Paul Hack.

“You can find notes he left scattered about the dungeon in that game. If you find them all, you get an achievement and unlock the character of Toorum for a subsequent playthrough. Presumably, this is Toorum’s first quest and the reason why the new game is titled Toorum’s Quest II.”

Interested in learning more about the Atmel-powered 8-bit gaming Box? You can check out the project’s official page here.