Kite flies with LEDs + accelerometer

Arduino
Kite flies with LEDs + accelerometer

lilykite_2-up.jpg
With a bit of testing, coding, and sewing, Casey upgraded a kite with Lilypad Arduino, accelerometer and LEDs. The finished product displays its orientation to the operator and puts on a bit of a light show during dynamic maneuvers.

The project required a decent amount of planning for proper installation of the sewn circuit and working with conductive thread turned up some interesting tips –

lilykite_knots.jpg

A nice thing I learned about conductive thread is that it will melt onto itself similar to nylon based threads. Melt isn’t exactly the right word, it was kind of a mix between soldering and pushing melted plastic around. Anyway, it took away the frayed ends making the knots very clean. I would do this after sewing three loops through each hole (also called pin) on the boards. This ensured a solid connection.

Looks like a lot of fun. Sadly no video of the blinky flyer in action as of yet :( – Blinking In The Sky

2 thoughts on “Kite flies with LEDs + accelerometer

  1. Roderick Read says:

    I love this idea… and have had a few further thoughts of my own …http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=1746867586603&id=1086194053&aid=2087694

    Has anybody in make managed to get a computer to fly a kite yet?
    I want to do this… with the aim of generating some power… see the whacky idea sketches above

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