Making, Programming, Sensors, Tutorials

Use an analog to digital converter to get analog sensor readings on the Raspberry Pi

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Gus over at PiMyLifeUp has done a great tutorial on using the “famous” MCP3008 analog-to-digital converter chip to read values from a light-dependent resistor. He goes through wiring it up and programming it using the spidev Python library. I prefer the GPIO Zero way of doing things now, but Gus’ way teaches you a little more about getting the values out. He also goes through setting up the MCP3008 inside MyDevices Cayenne, a great IoT platform. Read how Gus does it here.

If you want to get into analog sensors, and don’t want to bother with all that wiring (!), keep an eye out for a Kickstarter coming soon featuring Alex Eames’ Analog Zero board.

3D printing, Environment, Science, Sensors

Cambridge start-up uses Raspberry Pi for low-cost water quality scanner

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Waterscope, a Cambridge start-up company, has developed a low-cost, 3D-printed water quality scanner based around a Raspberry Pi and a microscope. Alex Patto, Richard Bowman, Nalin Patel and Tianheng Xhao met on iTeams, a programme started at Cambridge University which aims to help staff and students develop business ideas. The aim is to develop the device into something which can be used, and reading obtained and analysed, on-site rather than being sent away for analysis. You can find out more about their efforts, and even get hold of a kit yourself by visiting their website.

Camera module, Raspberry Pi Zero, Shopping

New Raspberry Pi Zero out today – with camera support!

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PiZero1.3_700

The Raspberry Pi Zero v1.3 with camera attached. Credit: Alex Eames, RasPi.TV

The Raspberry Pi Zero has been notoriously difficult to get hold of. Today, new stocks have arrived and they contain a new feature that will be sure to get people excited.

That new feature is a camera port: It enables the use of all models of the Raspberry Pi camera module. The connector is smaller than the regular connector on the full-sized Raspberry Pi and you will need a special cable to connect the camera. The new connector is on the right-hand-side of the Zero (when you hold it with the GPIO pins at the top) and the board is now version 1.3. A few power circuitry components have been moved to make way for the port but basically the Zero is the same apart from the camera port.

You can buy the new Zero (while stocks last!) from The Pi Hut and Pimoroni. The restriction of 1 Zero per customer remains in force for now.

Alex Eames from RasPi.TV has also covered the launch and has published his blog and a video (which you can see below) here.

Update: The Raspberry Pi Foundation have, likewise, blogged about the launch and you can read their bloggage here.

Average Man has also blogged about the launch and you can read his blog here.

Camera module, Photography, Tutorials

Create an instant camera with a thermal printer and a Raspberry Pi

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Phillip Burgess has developed an instant camera using a Raspberry Pi, with camera module, plus a mini thermal printer from Adafruit (if you’re in the UK, take a look for the same product at Makersify). It looks like a nice fun project, and nice bit of cardboard wrangling. So, if you fancy doing a similar project, check out the tutorial on Adafruit.

Arduino, Art, Geeky Techiness, Music, Sensors

Body movements create music with the help of a Raspberry Pi and Arduino sensors

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The receiving station

Calvin Cherry, an electrical engineer graduate of University of Wisconsin – Madison, has created a new musical instrument called Music from Motion which adds layers of instrumental samples as he moves different parts of his body. Stop sniggering at the back! He has sensor packs attached to his ankles and hands which translate the orientation and speed of his limbs into readings which are sent wirelessly to an Arduino. The Arduino then sends the sensor readings to a Raspberry Pi which controls the audio output.

More pace with his left foot adds more drums; more right foot movement adds cymbals; the right hand controls more ‘flanging‘ and his left hand adds a wah-wah effect. Additional triggers such as leg flicks and hand claps trigger additional effects and samples. He used a programming tool called Pure Data to create a visualisation tool that allows him to monitor what is happening on the track.

It took several months to put together and Cherry hopes to show it off today at the Madison Mini Maker Faire.

You can read slightly more about the project, and a mini-interview with Cherry, over at The Cap Times.

My favourite quote is one to which is sure to speak to the hearts of makers everywhere:

“If you just have something you can play around with and tweak as you go along, and then make it as cool and crazy and as unmarketable as you can, it’s fun, you know?”