The Clairvoyant Cloud is an IOT swag lamp that retrieves weather data from the Open Weather Network and displays a matching colour.
Additionally, the cloud is controlled via the Blynk iOS App and has additional lighting modes of RBG Selection and Party (Disco).
- Arduino Pro Mini
- Sparkfun Thing Dev
- Solderable Breadboard
- 1000μF Capacitor
- 330Ω Resistor
- 5v6A Power Supply
- 120 Addressable RGB LEDs (2x 1m Strips of 60LEDs)
The original idea for a cloud lamp was from seeing the Artist: Richard Clarkson's version that contained speakers and lit up to match the sounds of thunder coming from within.
I wanted to create something similar but wondered if the cloud could instead display the weather through an API.
Just my luck, as it was quite complicated for a pretty green electronics / coding student I found SparkFun had created almost exactly what I wanted to acheive. Their project can be viewed here.
I set to work creating their version of the cloud and refactored the code as I went. Unravling each block and tweaking it to conform to my particular hardware and LED spec.
My journey was a lengthy one, through the process of purchasing equipment/materials, configuring hardware, coding, testing, soldering and some art & craft. I still have a few things I want to change/add to this project, but am very happy with the result! It works :) Even though I found it a little complicated for a beginner, I would recommend it to anyone who wants to tinker with electornics, code and create smart lighting - that are also, willing to jump in the deep end. The learning curve was steep but well worth it. -JG