Note: this project has a dedicated web page http://twiz.io
The Tiny Wireless IMUz (Inertial Measurement Unit), are wireless motion sensors. They're optimized to be ultra low power and tiny, 1 in x 1 in (2.5 cm x 2.5 cm).
In a few simple points, here are the specs: - 9 DoF with on-board sensor fusion (more explanation below) - Easy to connect with BLE: good for computer + smartphone + tablet connection possible (lower power than WiFi) - Compact & autonomous: Embeds a CR2032 battery holder (available in any corner shops, gas stations…) - Size of a coin cell battery!
Here is an arty example by one of our early adopters: https://vimeo.com/143536986
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Made in SF, CA - Paris - Singapore 2013-15
AcademicThe Twiz have been used in various projects, including for the following conferences:
Why?We looked for tiny, autonomous, easy to use, and 9 Degrees of Freedom IMU, but none of the available wireless motion sensors were affordable enough to really unlock creativity, so we built one.
We made it with passion to allow you controlling anything you want (music, motors, light or even fire!) from your objects motion, or your own!
For more information, an online presentation is available here.
How to build it?To make the PCB, you can get the latest version from upverter (see below)
A detailed bill of material is available here: goo.gl/8yxCDU
Advice if you make your own:We made a few batches of the Twiz, in the 2nd one, we got all the 20 CPUs faulty (probably fake), so we tried X-ray with a hackerspace mate who works in a hospital:
It didn't help much but my heat-gun became my best friend:
Before changing it, a few tests were performed:
Hardware details- MPU9150, 9 axis IMU motion sensor:
3D accelerometer for linear accelerations, 3D gyroscope for rotational accelerations, 3D magnetometer for orientation reference
- nRF51822, processor + BLE connectivity:
32 bit ARM processor with low consumption optimization (Cortex-M0), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy AKA Bluetooth smart/4.0)
- Physical characteristics :
2.4 cm x 2.4 cm (< 1 inch), 1.1cm thick (< ½ inch), 4.6g (~7.6g w/ battery)
- Madwick fusion: send Euler angles or Quaternions
- ifttt recipes with our python/kivy interface
- experimentation using swift, noble
- open source: software / firmware / hardware (schematics, gerbers, BOM, etc.)
If you want to use it with javascript / node, this repo is for you:
https://github.com/sojamo/Movement-of-Things
HOW TO USE IT ?Twiz modules are the most universal tools for wearable technologies, applications are simply endless but here are a few examples :
- Media control: modulate sound effects or control a light show from performers’ motion
- Scientific studies: analyse a building/bridge vibrations, animal activities…
- 2/3D Software: motion capture to animate 3D model of object, human or virtual creature
- Games: control your favorite doom-like from your hand, or breakout
- Anything that a beacon or activity tracker does
- Home automation: control your room's light volume by spinning your candle:
Here is an example of use with embedded LEDs:
And here is a demonstration of a holographic interaction:
GalleryMore picture:
Just testing that the we can use the soft device with a BLE dongle and hcitool.
Testing the motion sensorJust testing that we get data from the IMU, here we simply display the value of one accelerometer axis.
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