The Identified Plush Object Network is one of a few bigger projects that I want to work on this year. The idea is to create a network of small plush animals that interact with users, each other, and the Internet. I called it “Identified” because as a separate project I’m working with an RFID reader/writer module I want to create a simpler interface for, and once that piece is working each object in the network will be tagged as well.

The motivation for the project is non-profit work I want to do in the future with at-risk teenagers here in Orange County, CA. I want to create something that can be built in phases that get increasingly complex as the students learn, but that starts simple enough to enable hands-on participation from day one. Software improvements will be made in each iteration.

Each plush animal will house electronics that will be “surgically” implanted. While the project is being designed I’m thinking of using soft circuits or even cardboard circuits wired with EFT tape instead of stripboards to make it easy to modify them while I’m still making decisions.

Cost Considerations

One of my requirements – due to the non-profit nature of this project – is to try to keep cost as low as possible, but maintaining simplicity. For example, even though the cheapest possible Arduino may be a homebrew version, I decided I will be using the Ardweeny (it is cheap enough and simpler to put together).

Another example of the cost x simplicity trade-off is the Internet of Things aspect of the project. The WiFi RedBack costs $63 at the time of this writing (but includes the Arduino), versus $24 for the barebones WiFi module (the MRF24WB0MA by MicroChip). I’m just not sure if the savings are worth the added complexity. (Here’s an example that uses this module). I also have to consider only one of the nodes/objects needs to have WiFi capability. Communication within the networked objects will happen over XBee.

Power Requirements

Another factor that will drive design decisions is power – I want to learn how to design for lower power, and I’m aware this may be a whole subject all on its own given the many choices of battery types and cost considerations as well. Baby steps. I’ll get there.

Phases of the Project

As of yet the IPON project is not defined on a detailed level, except for Phase 0. From a high-level perspective I have envisioned the following phases in small increments over the previous one (with each going through several iterations and refinements):

Phase 0 (current):

• Breadboard circuit and rough sketch for Phase 1

Phase 1:

• Semi-permanent circuit
• 1 plush object with implanted electronics
• Interacts with user

Phase 2:

• Semi-permanent circuit
• 1 plush object
• Interacts with user
• Interacts with the Internet

Phase 3:

• Semi-permanent circuit
• 2 plush objects
• Interact with user
• Interact with each other

Phase 4:

• Semi-permanent circuit
• 3+ objects
• Interact with user
• Interact with each other
• Interact with the Internet

Phase 5:

• Permanent circuit
• 3+ objects
• Interact with user
• Interact with each other
• Interact with the Internet
• RFID tags

IPON project, the big picture:

On the next post I will share the current state of the project, Phase 0 as described above, including circuit and Arduino sketch. Stay tuned!

No related posts.

Pachube.com, is a website that enables its users to share real-time data collected from a series of environment sensors connected to objects and devices around the world. Existing information shared by others can also be used to control actuators based on the data received. There are several feeds currently sharing light levels, wind speed, air quality, humidity, temperature and pressure information, to name a few, facilitating interaction between physical or virtual remote locations.

Arduino users may easily participate in this community. Different sensor and actuators are necessary (temperature, light, pressure, keys, potentiometers, LEDS, etc.) depending on the complexity of the application that one wishes to develop. There are two ways to connect and send/receive information to/from Pachube: connecting the Arduino Duemilanove via USB cable to a computer with Internet access or using an Arduino Ethernet Shield directly connected to the Internet.

Some knowledge of Ethernet, a valid IP or DynDNS are required as well as a Processing application to communicate with an Arduino upon which a Firmata sketch has been installed. (Firmata is a microcontroller communication protocol that allows complete control of the Arduino from software). The Pachube website explains the step-by-step process of designing circuits, connecting sensors and writing the software.

What is also interesting is the ability to mark on a Google map the place where you are running the experiment and acquiring the data, using an API Key that enables publishing the information to the Internet.

Here is a list from the Pachube website that explains some possibilities for the use of its service: community.pachube.com/what_can_i_use_pachube_for.

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We are entering a new information era dubbed “The Internet of Things”. The Internet of Things is based on networks of ubiquitous sensors in intelligent environments. Thus the Internet connects not only computers and communication terminals, but everyday objects as well. Clothing, consumer electronics, household appliances, can all be used in the creation of sophisticated interactions among people, bringing better quality of services and comfort.

One of the most prominent technologies that serves as a gateway to The Internet of Things is RFID. RFID is a mature technology that can make The Internet of Things possible as well as serve as the basis for other object identification systems.

RFID permits the automatic wireless capture of identification and data belonging to electronically tagged objects that can contain additional information about them. When these tags are connected via sensors and communication networks such as the Internet, this technology becomes a powerful way to offer new services and applications in pretty much any environment.

To read more about this exciting subject check out Lu Yan’s book The Internet of Things: From RFID to the Next-Generation Pervasive Networked Systems at Amazon.com.

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1. Pachube