Uploaded March 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this video tutorial, I'll teach you how to build a "Laser Maze" escape room puzzle that requires players to reach their arms out to grab on object, while avoiding breaking laser beams along the way. If any beam is broken, the player must remove their arm completely and press two buttons on the side of the box to reset the puzzle before trying again.
This "Hand" variation of the traditional Laser Maze puzzle was specifically designed to address some of the problems normally associated with the use of lasers in escape rooms:
- it avoids the risk of players having lasers fire into their eyes
- it reduces and contains the volume of mist/fog particles required to make the beams visible, reducing the risk to asthma suffererers
- the short distance between laser emitter and sensor means that alignment is easier and more reliable
Timings
---
00:00-03:46 Introduction
03:47-06:51 Demonstration
06:52-13:50 Component Explanation - Laser Diodes and Light Dependent Resistors
13:51-24:09 Wiring Diagram
24:10-37:45 Arduino Code
37:46-40:47 Wrapup and conclusion
Components Used
---
10x 5V Laser diode modules, ~$3 from e.g. banggood.com/custlink/G33KqPweDs
10x Light dependent resistors, ~$2 from e.g. banggood.com/custlink/mKGvUPTgdu
10kΩ resistors $0.01 each, from e.g. banggood.com/custlink/GKmvz57BCr
Arduino Nano, ~£3 from e.g. banggood.com/custlink/mDmvNgpA7O
5V relay module, ~$2 from e.g. banggood.com/custlink/mDD3bOqeP5
12V maglock, ~$20 from e.g. banggood.com/custlink/vDvGkVugcZ
The code is extensively commented, and available for subscribers to download (alongside the wiring diagram etc.) from my Patreon page: patreon.com/playfultech
You can see more of my escape room tech tutorial projects here: youtube.com/watch?v=3Zn6D0731MQ&list=PLogiUurtMYtR2Hf0-eg8-K2E9uRtpWzWV
In this video tutorial, I'll teach you how to build a "Laser Maze" escape room puzzle that requires players to reach their arms out to grab on object, while avoiding breaking laser beams along the way. If any beam is broken, the player must remove their arm completely and press two buttons on the side of the box to reset the puzzle before trying again.
This "Hand" variation of the traditional Laser Maze puzzle was specifically designed to address some of the problems normally associated with the use of lasers in escape rooms:
- it avoids the risk of players having lasers fire into their eyes
- it reduces and contains the volume of mist/fog particles required to make the beams visible, reducing the risk to asthma suffererers
- the short distance between laser emitter and sensor means that alignment is easier and more reliable
Timings
---
00:00-03:46 Introduction
03:47-06:51 Demonstration
06:52-13:50 Component Explanation - Laser Diodes and Light Dependent Resistors
13:51-24:09 Wiring Diagram
24:10-37:45 Arduino Code
37:46-40:47 Wrapup and conclusion
Components Used
---
10x 5V Laser diode modules, ~$3 from e.g. banggood.com/custlink/G33KqPweDs
10x Light dependent resistors, ~$2 from e.g. banggood.com/custlink/mKGvUPTgdu
10kΩ resistors $0.01 each, from e.g. banggood.com/custlink/GKmvz57BCr
Arduino Nano, ~£3 from e.g. banggood.com/custlink/mDmvNgpA7O
5V relay module, ~$2 from e.g. banggood.com/custlink/mDD3bOqeP5
12V maglock, ~$20 from e.g. banggood.com/custlink/vDvGkVugcZ
The code is extensively commented, and available for subscribers to download (alongside the wiring diagram etc.) from my Patreon page: patreon.com/playfultech
You can see more of my escape room tech tutorial projects here: youtube.com/watch?v=3Zn6D0731MQ&list=PLogiUurtMYtR2Hf0-eg8-K2E9uRtpWzWV
