sorry if this has been asked before, but as today, I'm lost in the options. What I need to do is control a wearable LED string like the NeoPixels (NeoPixel Jewel - 7 x 5050 RGB LED with Integrated Drivers) using wifi or bluetooth (max distance is 30 meters, outdoors, open space). I need to power it by battery, of course, control from a smartphone. I'm creating a game for kids, next step will be to do it 10x (10 different kids wearing the LEDs that I have to change colours on purpose from the phone). I can use Raspberry or Arduino, but I'm lost. Flora, Pico, Nano...
The less parts to add, the better. I'm not too worried about size.
Can anyone guide me? Thanks!
Which platform and board for wearable 2023 project?
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Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.
- jpbarna
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- adafruit_support_bill
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Re: Which platform and board for wearable 2023 project?
Just about any microcontroller can handle the pixels easily. For minimum part count, you probably want to go with one of the WiFi and/or BlueTooth Feather boards. These have integral wireless communication as well as a built-in battery charger:
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-fea ... i-feathers
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-fea ... h-feathers
Since you need 10 of these, cost is probably a factor. The ESP8266 is a low-cost WiFi capable board:
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2821
The ESP32-S3 is only a few dollars more and supports both WiFi & Bluetooth Low Energy.
https://www.adafruit.com/product/5323
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-fea ... i-feathers
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-fea ... h-feathers
Since you need 10 of these, cost is probably a factor. The ESP8266 is a low-cost WiFi capable board:
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2821
The ESP32-S3 is only a few dollars more and supports both WiFi & Bluetooth Low Energy.
https://www.adafruit.com/product/5323
- jpbarna
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Mar 27, 2023 4:18 am
Re: Which platform and board for wearable 2023 project?
Thanks a lot, this is great help!
- michaelmeissner
- Posts: 1821
- Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2012 12:40 am
Re: Which platform and board for wearable 2023 project?
Besides the feathers, I would look at the QT PY boards. These are smaller than the feather boards. There are some ESP32 boards that include wifi and possibly bluetooth:
- ESP32-S2, wifi, no bluetooth: https://www.adafruit.com/product/5325
- ESP32-S3, wifi, BLE bluetooth, no PSRAM: https://www.adafruit.com/product/5426, out of stock
- ESP32-S3, wifi, BLE bluetooth, 2MB PSRAM: https://www.adafruit.com/product/5426
- ESP32-C3, wifi, BLE bluetooth: https://www.adafruit.com/product/5405, out of stock, note the BLE cannot be used by CircuitPython at this time
- There is a 5x5 neopixel matrix that might be useful for your application instead of a neopixel jewel. https://www.adafruit.com/product/5646
- There is a battery attachment that provides for automatic charging. https://www.adafruit.com/product/5397
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.