Smart Lanterns

Presented by ICRS

Introduction

TIME: ~ 2.5hr

LINK: https://github.com/ICRS/smart-lanterns

Format of the event

This is a free event with the goal of sending everyone home with a smart lantern and a new set of skills. The event will be broken down into 5 parts:

Intro: We introduce ICRS and demonstrate briefly how to make the lanterns and explain what we will be doing.
Collab: Breaking into teams of 3-5 working together to make one lantern.
Individual: Using the process learned in the previous step to make the rest the new lanterns for the team.
Food: Needed for survival by humans.
Outro: Bring the group back together and going further with the lanterns, as well as exploring more options for this tech.

Step 1: Code

The first step is to download the code for this project which you can do from here:

https://github.com/ICRS/smart-lanterns

click the green code button then select Download ZIP

You should find these instructions in the README.md file.

Step 2: Get Software

This project uses an Arduino which requires the Arduino IDE to run. This has been pre-installed on the ICRS computers so go ahead and boot it up. The icon looks like this:

If you are following along at home I recommend using Arduino IDE 2.0 RC, but PlatformIO or Arduino version 1 are also supported.

Step 2.1: Board Manager

To get the files we need for this specific Arduino, we need to download them in the board manager.

Update the board manager: click file > preferences > Additional board manager URLs and paste this link into it https://raw.githubusercontent.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/gh-pages/package_esp32_index.json

then click OK.

Once this is done install the new board by clicking the board icon searching esp32. Then select version 2.0.14 and click Install.

Note: esp32 versions 3.0.0 and newer are unstable and at the time of writing aren't compatible with FastLED which we will be installing next.

Step 2.2: Libraries

Click on the library icon and search for FastLED and click install. Make sure to choose the latest version.

Step 2.3: Open Code

Open the code in Arduino, all the files are located in the folder named smart-lanterns. You can open this by clicking file > open in the top left corner.

Feel free to have a look at the code and try to understand it!

Step 3: Hardware

During the in person workshop we will provide you with a few components, these are:

• 1 - Wemos ESP32-S2 Mini (which will be referred to as an "ESP")
• 30cm - 60led/m 5050 addressable LEDs
• 3 - Jumper wires soldered to the LEDs (soldering not covered in the workshop)
• Double sided tape
• Masking tape
• Lasercut core flute disc
• Lasercut 120gsm White Card
• Optional Lasercut 120gsm Black Card
• A USB-C cable

Step 3.1: Laser cutting (Pre-done)

Note: This step has been done for you already, so feel free to move onto step 3.2

Laser cut the paper following the file in the laser cutting.svg file, which should look roughly like this:

Step 3.2: Building the lantern: Part 1

Place the LED strip about 5-10 mm from the bottom of the card and stick it down using the double sided tape on the back of the LED strip. This is shown in the image below:

Count the number of LED squares on your strip and remember the number for later!

Next, stick two strips of double sided tape along the bottom and the side that has the wires coming off of it. Don't peel these yet.

Step 3.3: Wiring

The wires must be connected as shown in the image below.

• +5V -> VIN
• GND -> GND
• DIN -> 16

Step 3.2: Building the lantern: Part 2

At this point we are about to properly assemble the light. Reaching into the light to plug it in might be difficult when it is complete, so either plug in the USB cable now, or make a small hole in the side of the lantern to plug it in later.

Then peel both the pieces of double sided tape, and stick the core flute to bottom edge of the card below the LED strip being CAREFUL to not crease the card.

Next stick the sides together.

Optionally, you can stick some black card to the outside of the white card to hide the LED strip when the lights are on.

You should end up with this:

or this:

You are now done with the assembly!

Step 4: Configuration

Step 4.1: Configuration File

Open the demo code in the Arduino IDE (Step 2.3)

Next to LED_COUNT change the number to the number that you counted earlier in step 3.2.

#define LED_COUNT 18

Rename WIFI_SSID from "my_light" to something memorable and unique. Make sure to keep the quotation marks!

Note: WIFI_SSID cannot have spaces in it.

#define WIFI_SSID "my_light" // You can be more creative than this!

Step 4.2: Pattern

In the config file select a pattern by setting the number after PATTERN to the pattern you would like. The pattern options are at the bottom of the file.

#define PATTERN 1 // Set this number between 0 and 2

Step 5: Upload Demo Code

1. Plug the ESP into your laptop.
2. Select LOLIN S2 Mini in the top left. It might also say select board. Then click Select other board and port...
3. Type in LOLIN S2 Mini on the left hand column and select it.
4. In the right hand column, if there is anything there then click it and move on to 5. Otherwise you will need to restart the ESP in boot mode.
   This can be done by reaching into the lantern and holding down both of the buttons on the ESP, and releasing the button labeled RST first.
   If a port still doesn't show up then ask a supervisor for help.
5. Click ok.
6. Click the upload button (the button in the top left of the screen with a right pointing arrow).
7. Wait for your code to compile and upload.

You might need to reset the ESP after the code has uploaded. To do this press and release the RST button.

Step 6: Connect Over WiFi

Once the code has uploaded, you should see a WiFi network with the name you set in step 4.1.

Connect to this network the same way you would any other WiFi network. You can do this either with your laptop or your phone!

Next go to the URL http://192.168.4.1/H and you should see your light turn on! You can also turn it off from the same webpage.

Past the workshop:

There are plenty of other cool things which can be done with the technology used in this project. Here are some examples you can try when you have finished:

Custom Patterns

There are many other pattern options make with this, each LED can take a few different colours (about 16 million) but most would look too similar to each other to see, I would recommend using bright colours that are highly saturated.

Have a look in the code for where the patterns are created and make your own!

Nicer webpage

See if you can find the text that appears on the webpage somewhere in the code. Using a small bit of HTML it is possible to make much nicer looking buttons.

What else can you make?

Automated front door lock
Automated garage door opener
Automated switch (eg put in on a fan, heater kettle)
Automating Air con
Collect data from sensors
Security System
Mini webserver
Automating 3D printers
Mini security cam (ESP-32 CAM)
Decor of various sorts
Automate 3d printing
Smart Speaker

What else????