This prototype shows an esp8266-based device that connects via WiFi to an intermediate SideCircle server that itself collects data from different providers (in this video, the device requests the number of bikes available at a public bike stand down the road)
The video below shows a similar prototype, scrolling through a 32 x 8 matrix display.
The device is hidden underneath a tablecloth and connects to the intermediate SideCircle server that collects real-time data from different providers like a radio station, the local transportation, etc. The IR receiver is used to turn the device on, and switch from one data set to the next, in this example, the table will show radio data. This other video shows how the same device can show what’s currently playing on your favorite radio station.
The same data can also be used to provide useful information inside a mirror, as shown below. This mirror captures movements in its front area and wakes up the display for a couple of minutes. The movement detector (visible in the upper right corner in the video) sends a radio signal at 433MHz, which is intercepted by the mirror to turn the display on. Building such a ‘magic’ mirror requires replacing the genuine mirror glass by a “two-side” or so called “spy” mirror, and putting the IoT devices behind the mirror in a dark space.
Below is another video showing the embeded 17″ screen displaying the local weather report:
If you expected some out-of-the-box instructions on how to build the same devices on your own, you’re probably not at the best place here at SideCircle: here we are talking about inspiration, prototypes, proof of concepts, not that much about the details and industrialization… Despite that, there’s nothing fake on the shown projects: they work as shown here (or probably better, since). Even more, all of the technologies in the above projects are based on well documented sub-systems: be it using radio frequency at 433 MHz, or capturing Infrared or be it how starting your own project with an esp8266, all these topics are pretty well documented on internet. Since our projects wouldn’t exist without that community on Internet, we also contribute to the global knowledge in IoT by contributing to the different threads, online boards etc, but we also added some ‘rare-to-be-found’ topics and work-arounds on this site, in the hope that they may help others.
Below is my rotating frame: it detects the picture format and drives a stepper motor in the wall.
If you really like funny objects, also check out this beautiful NixieClock:
You can find assembly instructions for this NixieClock on the folling website : https://www.nixieclock.biz/StoreAllInOne.html