Tangible Interfaces Hardware

Contents

Microbit

The Microbit is a credit card sized computer, with a surprising number of sensors and features built in. It can be programmed just with a web browser, and has a wide set of code extensions written to connect to various hardware. It is IMHO the fastest way to learn hardware making. Other computers such as Raspberry Pi, Arduino, or ESP32 (and many others) are more powerful, but require complex and fragile programming software which are often frustrating to students. Most of the concepts and components on the Microbit can be reused as you progress.

Introduction to Microbit

More

Component Kits

To design and prototype Tangible Interfaces, you’ll want a bunch of sensors to play with. A fun way to start are sensor packs. There are many variations, you will have to look at the parts you want. Here are a couple to get you started. Note that basic components are often labeled as “For Arduino”, but work with most micro-controllers, such as the microbit.

Components

Components used across the code examples. Most are included in the sensor kits above; Note that these links are examples, not recommendations!

These are typically standard sensors mounted on a small printed circuit board with several pins exposed. We are showoing th9i

Capacitive Touch Sensor

TTP223 — Any conductive surface (foil, fruit) becomes a touch pad

RGB Rotary Encoder

COM-15141 — Rotary encoder with RGB LED built into the knob

Temp & Humidity Sensor

DHT11 — Reads both temperature and humidity together

Pressure / Force Sensor

FSR — Thin-film sensor measuring how hard you press

UV Sensor

GUVA-S12SD — Estimates UV index 0–11

Ultrasonic Distance Sensor

HC-SR04 — Measures distance 2 cm–400 cm with sound pulses

PIR Motion Sensor

HC-SR501 — Detects human movement via body heat

Push Button Module

KY-004 — Simple external on/off button

Passive Buzzer

KY-006 — Plays tones at controllable frequency

RGB LED Module

KY-016 — Full-color LED

Relay Module

KY-019 — Electrically switches real-world devices on/off

Joystick Module

KY-023 — 2-axis analog joystick with click button

Hall Magnetic Sensor

KY-024 — Detects nearby magnets, invisible triggers

Rotary Encoder

KY-040 — Twist input with click-button, infinite rotation

Fan Module

L9110 — 5V fan with built-in motor driver

1602 LCD Display

LCD1602 — 2×16 character display over I2C

Gas Sensor

MQ-2 — Detects flammable gases and smoke, needs 5V

Alcohol Sensor

MQ-3 — Detects alcohol vapor in the air, needs 5V

Potentiometer

Pot — Rotating knob for analog input

Servo Motor

SG90 — Positional motor, 0–180°

Soil Moisture Sensor

Soil — Reads moisture level in soil

OLED Display 0.96”

SSD1306 — 128×64 pixel screen over I2C, used in many projects

IR Receiver + Transmitter

TSOP38238 — Read and replay any infrared remote

Battery Pack with Switch

4×AA — External 6V power for motors and 5V sensors

Advanced Tangible Interaces

CNC Rotary encoder handle

part Model number if standard short description

Thumb Slide Joystick

short description

[5 Position - D-Pad]

short description

Linear Potentiometer

short description

Flex sensor

short description

Membrane switch keypad

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Keypad_arduino.jpg