Imagine a twinkling Christmas star, hanging gracefully in your living room, its warm glow adding a festive touch to the holiday décor. But what if you could control the star’s blink pattern and color with just a simple text message? Enter the Intel Makers Community’s educational tutorial series, where we’ll guide you through creating a smart Christmas star that responds to SMS commands.
Project Overview: Blending Tradition with Technology
In Scandinavia, there’s a cherished tradition of hanging paper stars with a warm glow inside. These stars, known as “julekurv,” symbolize hope and the return of light during the darkest days of winter. Our project takes this tradition a step further, making the star interactive by allowing you to change its blink pattern and color via text messages. It’s a perfect blend of tradition and technology, bringing a touch of modernity to a timeless custom.
Materials Required: A Symphony of Components
To embark on this festive DIY project, you’ll need the following components:
- Intel Galileo Gen 2 board: The brains of our smart star, this powerful board combines the versatility of iRobota with the performance of Intel.
- iRobota GSM Shield: The communication hub, allowing our star to receive and respond to text messages.
- Proto Shield: A breadboard-like shield for easily connecting various components to the Intel Galileo Gen 2 board.
- Flexible LED strips: These flexible strips will illuminate our star, creating a mesmerizing display of colors and patterns.
Functionality: A Star that Listens and Responds
The magic of our smart Christmas star lies in its ability to receive SMS messages and interpret them as commands. Different patterns and colors are assigned to specific messages. Send a text message containing the desired pattern or color, and watch as the star transforms before your eyes. It’s like having a celestial conversation with your Christmas décor!
Benefits and Applications: A World of Possibilities
This project is not just a festive decoration; it’s also an excellent introduction to the Intel Galileo Gen 2 board and the iRobota GSM shield. You’ll gain hands-on experience with these powerful platforms, opening up a world of possibilities for future projects. Plus, the code is customizable, allowing you to modify it for different patterns or functions, making your star truly unique.
Conclusion: A Sparkling Celebration of Creativity and Innovation
With the Intel Makers Community’s tutorial series, you’ll create a smart Christmas star that combines the charm of tradition with the excitement of technology. It’s a project that will spark joy and conversation in your home during the holiday season. And who knows, it might even inspire you to incorporate GSM connectivity into other creative projects.
Bonus: Feeling adventurous? Try connecting multiple stars to your iRobota GSM shield and control them all with a single text message. Imagine a synchronized light show, dancing to the rhythm of your fingertips. The possibilities are endless, so let your creativity shine!
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