300-LED Matrix Table Features Custom Controllers and Awesome Apps

If you’ve been following hardware hacks for any length of time, you’ve certainly seen your share of LED coffee tables. This one, however, is one of the best. It features a total of 300 RGB LEDs shining up through a 3D-printed grid system, and software that includes games such as Pong, Tetris, and Snake, along with various animations. It can even be set up to act as a chess/checkers board, though you’ll need to provide physical pieces if you’d like to challenge an opponent.

A Raspberry Pi B+, along with a LED strip controller is used to signal the LEDs, though creator “Andreas R.” notes that any Linux-based platform should also work. The matrix itself is formed from a 10-meter strip of WS2812B, powered by a 50 watt supply. Each RGB module is separated with a 3D-printed grid, and light diffusion is handled by a piece of frosted glass on top.

If that wasn’t enough, the table comes with a pair of custom controllers, made with a 3D-printed housing, along with buttons and an I2C I/O expansion board. Build instructions are found here, and if you just want to be inspired, be sure to check it out in the video below!