1. Prototyping Home Automation Concepts
Class 4: Introduction to littleBits eModules
December 15, Don Wilcher

2. Introduction to littleBits eModules
Topics
Introduction to littleBits
Design Principle: Democratizing electronics
physical construction
electrical design
Example Projects: A Maker’s Perspective
Hands-On Project: Smart Home Kit, Coffee Pot Control Unit

3. Introduction to littleBits
What is a littleBit?
 small electronic modules
easy to build devices and gadgets
Requires no soldering
interactive system block diagrams
Allows prototyping a variety of devices and gadgets

4. Design Principle: Democratizing Electronics…
Ayah Bdheir, Founder of littleBits:
littleBits breaks down the barriers of entry to electronics.
Anyone to understand electronics without a background in electronics.
Able to invent devices and gadgets using:
a) light
b) sounds
c) sensors
d) motors

5. Design Principle: Democratizing Electronics…
Allows designers, entrepreneurs, and engineers to cut down prototyping time.
Allows new product concepts to be explore using electronics as building blocks.

6. Question 1
Who is the founder of littleBits?

7. Design Principle: Democratizing Electronics…
Source:

8. Design Principle: Democratizing Electronics…
Physical Construction:

9. Design Principle: Democratizing Electronics…
Electrical Design:
bitSnap

10. Example Projects: Maker’s Perspective
The Midnight Snack Light
The midnight snack light not only lights up the counter next to the fridge when you open the door, but keeps it on for a couple minutes after you’ve closed it so that you can see what you’re eating
Source:
Make: Getting Started with littleBits

11. Question 2
List the 3 signals used by a littleBits module.

12. Example Projects: Maker’s Perspective…
Arduino-SNAP Circuit Radio with IR control

13. Example Projects: Maker’s Perspective…
Arduino-SNAP Circuit Radio with IR control circuit schematic diagram.

14. Example Projects: Maker’s Perspective…
Arduino-SNAP Circuit Radio with IR control
Source:

15. Example Projects: Maker’s Perspective…
Car with Headlamps
Source:

16. Hands On Project: Smart Home Kit, Coffee Pot Control Unit
Source:

17. Hands On Project: Smart Home Kit, Coffee Pot Control Unit

18. Hands On Project: Smart Home Kit, Coffee Pot Control Unit
littleBits parts required for the project

19. Question 3
What littleBits module allow you to connect to your WiFi network?

20. Hands On Project: Smart Home Kit, Coffee Pot Control Unit
Testing Coffee Pot Control Unit
Red LED on AC Switch flashes until pairing procedure is complete.
Pairing of device plugged into AC switch is by selecting control setting on DIP switch of IR transmitter.

21. Hands On Project: Smart Home Kit, Coffee Pot Control Unit
Testing Coffee Pot Control Unit
Test and operate Coffee Pot Control Unit with the littleBits website UI or smartphone.
Source:

22. Question 4
What procedure must be accomplish before you can control your Coffee Control Unit?

23. Hands On Project: Smart Home Kit, Coffee Pot Control Unit
Testing Coffee Pot Control Unit
AC Switch LED is OFF

24. Hands On Project: Smart Home Kit, Coffee Pot Control Unit…
Testing Coffee Pot Control Unit
AC Switch LED is ON
Coffee Pot can be plugged into AC Switch

25. Question 5
What other home appliance can be controlled by the Coffee Pot Control Unit?

26. Hands-On Project…
Congratulations!