Kids these days pick up on technology fast—like, really fast. Thankfully, there are tools like the littleBits cloudBit Kit that take the concepts they have learned from previous experiences and add a new twist. In this case, the cloudBit enables children to continue making, building and customizing classic littleBits projects, but with a brand new component in the mix: The Internet. That’s right—once they start tinkering with the cloudBit Kit, kids can craft contraptions that they can control over the Web!
Of course, the capabilities of the cloudBit Kit are magnified by the addition of Internet technology made possible by the tiny cloudBit module. This bit connects to the Internet using IFTTT (if this, then that) to turn the littleBits input modules into triggers that can carry out an action remotely. It’s essentially a single-board computer that connects to the littleBits cloud and runs Linux to operate—pretty cool, huh? By sending samples of voltage to the littleBits cloud, the cloud instructs the cloudBit where to send the output voltage, meaning it can receive an input from one source and send a command to a totally different one!
For example, the cloudBit Starter Kit contains a sound trigger module, which allows the cloud to carry out an action when it hears a sound—perfect for constructing an impromptu burglar alarm. Like all the littleBits kits, there are lots of different options for inputs, including the most popular of all—the button module. We set up a little something in our office to help us better manage the flow of customers coming in every day. Since our desks are located down the hall from the entrance, we thought a cloudBit doorbell system would be the best way for them to alert us they are here!
It was actually really simple to do—we just needed to build a simple circuit using the power bit, the button bit, the buzzer bit and the cloudBit. Mounting it to the board was a piece of cake and securing the board to our office wall was even easier. A colorful sign helped ensure visitors would know what to do (although it doesn’t really warn them how loud the buzzing will be). Anyway, any time the button is pressed, the signal passes through the IFTTT environment and sends a notification to each of our computer screens!
Projects like the one we made can be adapted in all kinds of ways and can actually help kids carry out chores and tasks without even being in the same room. They can use a cloudBit to release their dog’s food down a chute, for example—without even needing to be home. And, while this may seem like it requires a lot of complex design and challenging work, it certainly doesn’t! The littleBits system is so simple—it really is as easy as snapping the Internet together and making your life flow a whole lot easier!
If you have any ideas for a product you’d like to see featured on the Eduporium Experiment, comment below or send us a message on Twitter or Facebook!