Materials: Expedit Bookcase
Description: An Expedit that changes colours according to your moods? Why not? Michu added some LED modules controlled by an Arduino behind the bookcase and now, it practically dances with 10 color sets (RGB, Rasta, CGA, Brazil, Fizz, Kitty, Neon, Lantern, Lemming, LeBron) and 6 animation modes (random, solid, ordered, checkboard, weird, weirdtwo).
Best thing yet, you can change the color set or animation mode with a flick of your toes on the PS2 keyboard attached under the bookcase. The keyboard has a special key map installed, if a key on the left side is pressed the color set change, if a key on the right side is pressed the animation will change.
For steps on how to create this, click the ExpeditInvaders.
~ Michu, Switzerland
I was in IKEA last week and they are now selling a 4-bulb lighting strip for inside the expedit that you can change the colors on. Can't find on the US website.
ReplyDeleteLooks cool,but for people like me that are completely out of touch with technology, can you help point me in the direction of which items to purchase to get the full effect?
ReplyDeleteYou mention "Arduino" which I'm not familiar with, and when I look on google there's so many to choose from.
All you need is an Arduino Board (doesn’t matter which one, can be an old Duemilanove or a new Leonardo), a PS2 Keyboard, a 5v Power supply and some LED's. If you need further information just send me an email at
ReplyDeletemichu at neophob dot com.
cheers
How is this an IKEA hack?
ReplyDeleteNo IKEA item was modified at all. Putting some lights inside some shelves isn't a hack. Unless the lights were repurposed IKEA lights.
Let me put some multicolor candles inside the EXPEDIT and call it a hack too.
I think it's called a "hack" because it's well... a hack job. Overall the execution lacks class and doesn't have that integrated feel. It's just a bunch of wires running on the shelves and a full keyboard (!) glued underneath it... quite horrible.
ReplyDeleteagreed with the two above
ReplyDeleteEverything and nothing is a hack. I think the result looks really nice and this project seems to be very beginner friendly.
ReplyDeleteThe real hack part (aka selling point) is that you can change the animation mode and color set with the tap of your foot, which is quite unique.