Uploaded November 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This video tutorial demonstrates how to use Node-RED to create a webpage which updates in realtime to show data sent from an Arduino over a USB serial cable. The data contains four values representing the state of four Reed switches, which is a commonly used method for an object-placement puzzle in an Escape Room.
The Arduino sends the four values as a comma-separated string (CSV). A Node-RED Serial In node receives this value, it is split using a Function node, and then passed to four Text nodes to display on a dashboard UI. I then add some Change nodes to format the output - changing the 0/1 values to words, and colouring them green/red. This webpage could be displayed on a monitor in a control room, where a gamesmaster is able to see in real-time the state of any puzzle, and provide appropriate guidance for players.
This video is part of a series of how to use Node-RED as Escape Room control software, and was made possible by the generous donations of my Patreon donors: patreon.com/playfultech
Timings
---
00:00-01:51 Introduction and Demonstration
01:52-09:06 Sending Serial data using Arduino
09:07-19:05 Receiving Serial data with Node-RED
This video tutorial demonstrates how to use Node-RED to create a webpage which updates in realtime to show data sent from an Arduino over a USB serial cable. The data contains four values representing the state of four Reed switches, which is a commonly used method for an object-placement puzzle in an Escape Room.
The Arduino sends the four values as a comma-separated string (CSV). A Node-RED Serial In node receives this value, it is split using a Function node, and then passed to four Text nodes to display on a dashboard UI. I then add some Change nodes to format the output - changing the 0/1 values to words, and colouring them green/red. This webpage could be displayed on a monitor in a control room, where a gamesmaster is able to see in real-time the state of any puzzle, and provide appropriate guidance for players.
This video is part of a series of how to use Node-RED as Escape Room control software, and was made possible by the generous donations of my Patreon donors: patreon.com/playfultech
Timings
---
00:00-01:51 Introduction and Demonstration
01:52-09:06 Sending Serial data using Arduino
09:07-19:05 Receiving Serial data with Node-RED
