Uploaded July 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Make a secret bookcase door that opens to reveal a hidden area when you pull the correct book(s) forward on the shelf!
Inspired by spy movies and shows like "Scooby-Doo", and perfect for use in an escape room, this is my tutorial on how to create this fun physical interaction. Unlike other approaches I've seen which use direct mechanical locks, I'll be using an Arduino to read the state of one or more switches placed underneath particular books on the shelf. When those books have been set into the correct pattern (i.e. pulled forward or not), the Arduino triggers a relay module, which cuts power to an electronic maglock, allowing the bookcase to slide open and reveal a secret hidden area behind. This overcomes some of the shortcomings I've seen in other approaches, and also allows for much more flexible programming of the conditions required to "solve the puzzle" and open the bookcase up. I'll talk you through all the wiring and code, and show you how to customise it to your own design.
Timings
---
00:00:00 - 00:01:11 Introduction
00:01:12 - 00:02:38 Bookcase Construction
00:02:39 - 00:09:07 Hidden Book Switch
00:09:08 - 00:10:41 Puzzle Design Considerations
00:10:42 - 00:14:14 Door Release Mechanism
00:14:15 - 00:19:21 Wiring the Electronic Components
00:19:22 - 00:42:18 Arduino Code
00:42:19 - 00:44:09 Wrapup
If you enjoyed this video or found it helpful, please like and subscribe to this channel! And, if you'd like to download the code for the Arduino IDE, the wiring diagram, or other resources used in this and all the other escape room projects shown on this channel (and support me to continue making more tutorials in the future!), please check out my Patreon at patreon.com/playfultech
Make a secret bookcase door that opens to reveal a hidden area when you pull the correct book(s) forward on the shelf!
Inspired by spy movies and shows like "Scooby-Doo", and perfect for use in an escape room, this is my tutorial on how to create this fun physical interaction. Unlike other approaches I've seen which use direct mechanical locks, I'll be using an Arduino to read the state of one or more switches placed underneath particular books on the shelf. When those books have been set into the correct pattern (i.e. pulled forward or not), the Arduino triggers a relay module, which cuts power to an electronic maglock, allowing the bookcase to slide open and reveal a secret hidden area behind. This overcomes some of the shortcomings I've seen in other approaches, and also allows for much more flexible programming of the conditions required to "solve the puzzle" and open the bookcase up. I'll talk you through all the wiring and code, and show you how to customise it to your own design.
Timings
---
00:00:00 - 00:01:11 Introduction
00:01:12 - 00:02:38 Bookcase Construction
00:02:39 - 00:09:07 Hidden Book Switch
00:09:08 - 00:10:41 Puzzle Design Considerations
00:10:42 - 00:14:14 Door Release Mechanism
00:14:15 - 00:19:21 Wiring the Electronic Components
00:19:22 - 00:42:18 Arduino Code
00:42:19 - 00:44:09 Wrapup
If you enjoyed this video or found it helpful, please like and subscribe to this channel! And, if you'd like to download the code for the Arduino IDE, the wiring diagram, or other resources used in this and all the other escape room projects shown on this channel (and support me to continue making more tutorials in the future!), please check out my Patreon at patreon.com/playfultech
