Accessible Technology Pep Rally Robot

This Project, originally designed for the Boston College Campus school, allows someone to use an accessibility switch to activate lights, music, pom poms, and an led display, all wired through a Circuit Python Bluefruit.

• Circuit Playground Bluefruit
• Assumed to be running CircuitPython and all necessary libraries
• Adafruit RGB LED Matrix (This project was build using a 64x32 pixel display with a 5mm pitch
• If desired, also acquire the accompanying magnetic feet and also magnets to sick onto the build
• Adafruit M4 Matrix Portal
• Assumed to be running CircuitPython and all necessary libraries
• Small Hamburger Speaker
• 1/8 Birchwood
• Cut using a laser cutting machine
• LED Strip
• Small Pom Poms
• 2 Servo Motors
• Accessibility switch (male and female components)
• Alligator Clips (10 to 20)
• Pin connectors (5 to 10)
• Breadboard
• Battery pack
• Hot Glue
• Wood glue
• Portable Charger
• Optional: Tablesaw
• Optional: Popsicle Sticks

The Bluefruit code runs the guts of the robot, and the portal code runs the led matrix. The wav file can be uploaded onto the Bluefruit to allow the music today, and the BMP file is uploaded to the Portal.

Follow the Steps in the video to set up the RGB display. When using the previously attached code, the animation should play whenever it is powered on!

Using a Laser Cutter, cut out the components onto 1/8 birchwood. The following design is set up for a 36x20x20 cm box, but the measurements can be adjusted on https://en.makercase.com/#/basicbox

Be sure to cut the following gaps

• A gap near the top of the right side piece large enough for the LED strip to come out of
• A gap on the right tide of the top piece for the speaker
• Two gaps in the center of the top piece for the servo motors and pom poms
• A hole on the bottom right of the back piece for power input
• Another hold at the bottom center of the back piece large enough for the female button connector

Once the box is printed, it can be wood glued together at any time, though it is easier to assemble the box about halfway and then glue the rest on afterwards

Wire all of the components onto the CPB according to the code file (the code can be adjusted to fit specific output setups). Be sure to wire VOUT and one GND output from the CPB to the breadboard to allow for enough connections.

For me, my pom poms were to large and heavy to be controlled by the servo motors. I chose to chop off the heavy base from the pom pom and attached a popsicle stick using hot glue. Then, after hot gluing the popsicle stick to the servo motor, it was light enough to control!

Place all of the wiring into the box and begin putting pieces in their proper locations

• Line up the CBP so that it can receive power from a power bank out of the gap
• Thread the LED wire up through its gap and wrap it around the front of the box, above where the LED display will go. Tape as necessary to keep it in place.
• Place the speaker on top of the box over the hole and wire in the AUDIO and GND alligator clips from underneath.
• Hot glue the female button connector through the back hole to that it can receive button input
• Finally, hot glue the servo motors so that the pom pom can hang off of the top and wave side to side

Using the magnetic feet clips, attach the led portal to the front of the box below the led strip. This should fully complete the build!

To operate, turn on the battery pack and make sure that the LED Board is getting power through any source (I used a portable charger. Then, attach the male switch to the back of the box, and it will begin working on press!