2Ï€r @ Maker Faire

Motion-controlled fire will be present at Bay Area Maker Faire – looks like a great way to live out those unfulfilled D&D fantasies.

2Ï€r is a blisteringly interactive large-scale fire toy. It is a central stage surrounded by a larger ring of inconspicuous flame effects – completely innocuous to onlookers – until a participant makes it come alive. It consists of two concentric rings: The inner ring is a 3ft tall circular platform, 6ft in diameter. Around the edge of this platform are 32 infrared proximity sensors placed at regular intervals. Each sensor is linked to a corresponding flame effect in the outer ring, which is 50ft in diameter. When the IR sensor detects an object passing over the emitter, a corresponding flame effect is triggered, producing a large burst of fire.

Noto to worry, they’ve got fire safety covered. – 2Ï€r website

Maker Faire is a two-day, family-friendly event that celebrates the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset May 3rd and 4th at the San Mateo Fairgrounds, CA (Upcoming.org). It’s for creative, resourceful people of all ages and backgrounds who like to tinker and love to make things. Buy tickets now and save, discount ticket sales end on April 25th, 2008.

If you’re in the Bay Area, or plan to attend Maker Faire add “makerfaire” to your Twitter, we’ll be giving away tickets and will have updates before and during Maker Faire!