Uploaded December 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this video, I'll explain how I created an app on my Android mobile phone that sends a message to an Arduino over Bluetooth. You can choose either a pre-determined message, or enter custom text. Once the message is received by the Arduino, it will be displayed by lighting up LEDs under the letters of a message, one character at a time, somewhat inspired by the Christmas lights alphabet wall that Will used to communicate from the upside-down in "Stranger Things".
Timings:
00:00:00 - 00:00:48 Introduction and Demonstration
00:00:49 - 00:03:27 Hardware Overview
00:03:28 - 00:06:32 Wiring Diagram
00:06:33 - 00:25:48 Arduino Code Listing
00:25:49 - 00:29:14 Android App using MIT App Inventor
00:29:15 - 00:30:25 Wrapup
Hardware Used:
- 50x WS2811 5V LED string, ~£6 aliexpress.com/item/1005005994195489.html
- Arduino Nano + Expansion shield, ~£3 aliexpress.com/item/1005005367785146.html
- HC-05 Bluetooth Transceiver module, ~£2 aliexpress.com/item/1005006186406885.html
- 330Ω, 1kΩ and 2kΩ resistors
- 16V 1000uF capacitor
Software Libraries Used:
- FastLED library: fastled.io
- AltSoftSerial: github.com/PaulStoffregen/AltSoftSerial
To download the code listing and other resources, or for support with this project or any of the other #escaperoom projects featured on this channel, please head over to patreon.com/c/playfultech
In this video, I'll explain how I created an app on my Android mobile phone that sends a message to an Arduino over Bluetooth. You can choose either a pre-determined message, or enter custom text. Once the message is received by the Arduino, it will be displayed by lighting up LEDs under the letters of a message, one character at a time, somewhat inspired by the Christmas lights alphabet wall that Will used to communicate from the upside-down in "Stranger Things".
Timings:
00:00:00 - 00:00:48 Introduction and Demonstration
00:00:49 - 00:03:27 Hardware Overview
00:03:28 - 00:06:32 Wiring Diagram
00:06:33 - 00:25:48 Arduino Code Listing
00:25:49 - 00:29:14 Android App using MIT App Inventor
00:29:15 - 00:30:25 Wrapup
Hardware Used:
- 50x WS2811 5V LED string, ~£6 aliexpress.com/item/1005005994195489.html
- Arduino Nano + Expansion shield, ~£3 aliexpress.com/item/1005005367785146.html
- HC-05 Bluetooth Transceiver module, ~£2 aliexpress.com/item/1005006186406885.html
- 330Ω, 1kΩ and 2kΩ resistors
- 16V 1000uF capacitor
Software Libraries Used:
- FastLED library: fastled.io
- AltSoftSerial: github.com/PaulStoffregen/AltSoftSerial
To download the code listing and other resources, or for support with this project or any of the other #escaperoom projects featured on this channel, please head over to patreon.com/c/playfultech
