Hello there!
Complete newcomer, first post here.
TL;DR: I made a janky lightsaber soundboard in CircuitPython on the Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller.
Video demo here.
I’ve been wanting to learn programming, specifically embedded programming for a long while now and finally got to it.
I have been deeply inspired by all the work that’s been put into and all the cool stuff that’s been made with the Proffieboard. I’m also a huge nerd for lightsabers.
So I decided to start my learning process by taking on a project to build a lightsaber of my own.
In retrospect I have mixed feelings about a complete beginner taking on such a multifaceted project. Then again it forced me to learn all the specific components that I’m ultimately interested in regarding embedded programming anyways (motion sensing, data structures, embedded audio, Neopixel animations, hardware design).
I chose to write this project in CircuitPython for many reasons.
Firstly I’m ultimately interested in learning the Python syntax.
Second, CircuitPython is dead easy to get set up and to get a grasp on. Adafruit provides very good documentation and libraries for their products, which is why the build is dominated by components from them.
It also features an interpretation of the SmoothSwing v2 algorithm written by Thexter. I wouldn’t call it an implementation. That feels like it would be an insult to the work Thexter has put into this algorithm.
It was very fun to dig into it!
The whole build and codebase is very crude and amateur. I intend on improving it as I progress in my coding and making journey.
Github repository here.
Chassis build:
Thanks for reading!
