Interactive Cubes Workshop: Difference between revisions

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(Cancel.)
(Resurrection of the Sifteo Hack session.)
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'''Cancelled.'''
[[Image:Sifteo_cube_teardown.jpg|right]]
'''Software + Hardware Hacking, let's dig deep into the [http://sifteo.com Sifteo cubes]'''
 
 
== What? ==
 
An amazing explanation by [http://scanlime.org Micah] of sifteo's insane design hacks is on
[http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2012/12/05/how-we-built-a-super-nintendo-out-of-a-wireless-keyboard-sifteo-sifteo/ adafruit blog].
 
But as a quick intro, Sifteo cubes can be seen as the best hackable platform, here is a summary of what they have:
* an accelerometer
* a touch screen (128x128)
* 4 proximity sensors (to recognize other cubes touching their 4 sides)
 
They are wirelessly connected to a base with:
* an STM32 (cortex M3)
* a mono speaker
* a usb connection to log anything to a computer
 
The base can communicate with up to 12 cubes (maybe 24 if you ask nicely).
 
It can be programmed with a simple and intuitive C++ API, check out the [https://developers.sifteo.com/docs SDK].
 
 
== When? ==
 
At least during the noisebridge [[30c3]] - to be define more accurately...
 
...it might lead to a hackathon with Sifteo prizes soon too.
 
 
== Hack ideas ==
 
Here are a few examples of that could be done during these sessions:
* '''magic light juggle''': acceleration change the color/brightness and the cubes disappear in the air
* '''music & light''': implement a BPM counter to blink color screens on the music rythme by listening to the vibrations sensed by accelerometer (like [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys1d_02OjXI here])
* '''siftephone in''': listen to a smartphone vibrations with Sifteo's accelerometer (like above)
* '''siftephone out''': talk to a smartphone using sound with audio system such as [http://chirp.io chirp.io] (a 1st proof of concept can be found [http://github.com/honnet/siftone here])
* '''midi controller''': play music using the cubes as midi instruments with [http://ableton.com Ableton] or [http://renoise.com Renoise] (a 1st proof of concept can be found [http://github.com/honnet/noon here])
* '''internet of things''': control anything remotely using python to forward Sifteo logs to an email or a server such as [http://heroku.com heroku] or [http://parse.com parse.com]
* '''turn up the volume!''': follow this awesome [http://www.instructables.com/id/Plug-it-In-How-to-Hack-Your-Sifteo-Base-for-Bigge/?ALLSTEPS instructable]!
* '''UART communication''': simple hacks involving microcontrollers can be tried too but the project must be worth it ;p (it's a bit more complicated)
 
 
== Warning! ==
 
'''If interested, please don't just show up, your participation/preparation is important:'''
* [[User:Cedric|contact me]] in advance to bring more cubes
* download the SDK: https://developers.sifteo.com/download
* start to play with the examples in the free simulator in the [https://developers.sifteo.com/docs SDK]
 
 
Interhacktively yours,
 
Drix.
 
 
''PS: For more info talk to [[User:Thex|J.C.]] or [[User:Cedric|Drix]].''

Revision as of 15:51, 14 December 2013

Sifteo cube teardown.jpg

Software + Hardware Hacking, let's dig deep into the Sifteo cubes


What?

An amazing explanation by Micah of sifteo's insane design hacks is on adafruit blog.

But as a quick intro, Sifteo cubes can be seen as the best hackable platform, here is a summary of what they have:

  • an accelerometer
  • a touch screen (128x128)
  • 4 proximity sensors (to recognize other cubes touching their 4 sides)

They are wirelessly connected to a base with:

  • an STM32 (cortex M3)
  • a mono speaker
  • a usb connection to log anything to a computer

The base can communicate with up to 12 cubes (maybe 24 if you ask nicely).

It can be programmed with a simple and intuitive C++ API, check out the SDK.


When?

At least during the noisebridge 30c3 - to be define more accurately...

...it might lead to a hackathon with Sifteo prizes soon too.


Hack ideas

Here are a few examples of that could be done during these sessions:

  • magic light juggle: acceleration change the color/brightness and the cubes disappear in the air
  • music & light: implement a BPM counter to blink color screens on the music rythme by listening to the vibrations sensed by accelerometer (like here)
  • siftephone in: listen to a smartphone vibrations with Sifteo's accelerometer (like above)
  • siftephone out: talk to a smartphone using sound with audio system such as chirp.io (a 1st proof of concept can be found here)
  • midi controller: play music using the cubes as midi instruments with Ableton or Renoise (a 1st proof of concept can be found here)
  • internet of things: control anything remotely using python to forward Sifteo logs to an email or a server such as heroku or parse.com
  • turn up the volume!: follow this awesome instructable!
  • UART communication: simple hacks involving microcontrollers can be tried too but the project must be worth it ;p (it's a bit more complicated)


Warning!

If interested, please don't just show up, your participation/preparation is important:


Interhacktively yours,

Drix.


PS: For more info talk to J.C. or Drix.