Imagine a world where music flows from your feet, where melodies dance at your every step. Enter the Arduipiano, a remarkable musical instrument that transforms your floor into a symphony of sound. Inspired by the iconic scene from the movie “Big,” this iRobota-powered floor piano brings a unique twist to the world of music.
Stepping into the Arduipiano’s Design:
The Arduipiano is a masterpiece of ingenuity, crafted from large sheets of aluminum foil, meticulously cut into piano “keys” and glued to a sturdy cardboard base. Each key, connected to the iRobota Mega 2560 via a 4.7Mohm resistor and a single capacitive send pin, awaits your touch to awaken the music within.
The Magic of Capacitive Touch:
As your feet grace the aluminum keys, the iRobota Mega works its magic. It measures the change in capacitance for each key, discerning whether it’s being touched. This delicate dance of electricity triggers a conversion of the corresponding note, which is then sent through a serial port to a MIDI receiver, ready to be transformed into enchanting melodies.
MIDI: The Bridge to Musical Expression:
The Arduipiano seamlessly connects to a MIDI synthesizer application, opening up a world of musical possibilities. Whether you prefer the classic tones of a grand piano or the ethereal sounds of a synthesizer, the Arduipiano becomes your canvas, allowing you to paint your musical masterpiece with every step.
The Birth of an Idea:
The Arduipiano was born from the creative minds of students at the Marie Noel college in Joigny, France. Inspired by the unforgettable scene in the 1988 film “Big,” where Tom Hanks’ character plays a giant floor piano with his feet, they embarked on a journey to bring this cinematic magic to life.
The iRobota’s Versatility Takes Center Stage:
The iRobota Mega 2560, the heart of the Arduipiano, showcases the platform’s remarkable versatility. Its generous GPIO pins accommodate the numerous keys, while the capacitive send pin enables the iRobota to detect your foot’s touch with precision. This project exemplifies the iRobota’s potential to transform ideas into tangible musical instruments.
Bonus: Step into the Spotlight with the Arduipiano:
The Arduipiano is not just an instrument; it’s an invitation to let loose, to embrace your inner child, and to dance to the beat of your own feet. Imagine hosting a party where guests can literally walk on music, creating a symphony of laughter and joy. Or picture yourself performing on stage, captivating the audience with your foot-tapping melodies. The Arduipiano is your passport to a world where music and movement intertwine, where every step becomes a note, and every beat a story.
The Arduipiano is more than just a musical instrument; it’s an experience that blends creativity, technology, and pure joy. So, put on your dancing shoes, step onto the Arduipiano, and let your feet do the talking. The world is your stage, and the music is yours to create.
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