My interactive staircase, using lasers and photoresistors to detect footsteps.

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My interactive staircase, using lasers and photoresistors to detect footsteps. The action starts at Interactive Staircase! - YouTube if you want to skip straight there.

I’ve been blown away by the reaction online, I’m currently in the #1 hot position on /r/arduino :slight_smile:

I’m busy adding more effects for a Part 2 video.

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Chris is stepping up his game. :wink:

Fun project! Looking forward to seeing other patterns.

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@marmil loving that cheesy pun! Thanks, I’m working away on the new effects whenever I can :slight_smile:

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If it was me… :slight_smile: (cue unsolicited advice) I would look at a ‘night light’ mode where it lights up, not where you step, but the stairs ahead of you - I’m a current victim of a torn rotator cuff thanks to tripping as I was walking down our stairs at 3am with a stroppy cat. Our stairs are a nightmare, though - they turn through 90 deg twice, with ‘triangular’ half-steps, just custom designed to trip the sleepy/unwary. Add to that they are concrete and tile, without a handrail…

And a diffuser! Nobody wants to see that at 3am… :slight_smile:

Brilliant design, though. I’m thinking of ways to minimise it… doppler-effect sound modules rather than so many discrete sensors. Visible Lasers! :smiley:

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I do like the idea of lighting up the Next step so you can see where you’re stepping in the dark.

If you could have a distance sensor at the bottom and one at the top, and look at the data for both at the same time, you might be able to tell how far up or down the person was (and light up the stairs as needed in their area, or ahead of them, etc.)

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@Mike_Thornbury I’ve had that suggested to me everywhere I’ve posted :wink:

I designed the stairs to be a fun gimmick, as opposed to something functional and useful. But absolutely, that would be a good feature.

I’m going to try IR LEDs + receivers instead of lasers, to avoid the visible light. That won’t reduce the amount of components or wiring, though. With that said, the current setup has been super reliable, despite being affixed with duct tape and blue tack.

I’ve got a few new effects implemented, like a particle system that’s attracted to any steps being stood on.

A distance sensor at the bottom at top could work (might be awkward to mount), but one feature of my current setup is that I can independently detect that each step is “on” or “off” and react to that.

Thanks for the comments and feedback, I’m looking forward to sharing part 2 soon!

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You did a great job - no criticism meant.

I showed them to my wife… she said no :frowning:

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All good, I didn’t feel criticised at all :slight_smile:

Ah bummer, it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to get permission!

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It may be easier, but more painful :slight_smile: