Footstep Magic

This instructables show how to use LILYGO T-QT Pro dev device play some footstep magic.

1. LILYGO T-QT Pro https://www.lilygo.cc/products/t-qt-pro
2. Happy Birthday Projector https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-Happy-Birthday-Projector.html
3. Kids ABS soccer shinguards https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-kids-ABS-soccer-shinguards.html
4. SW-18015P Vibration Sensor Switch
5. 502025 Lipo Battery
6. 14mm x 14mm heatsink (optional)

There are many animations that cast magic when the main character takes a big step on the floor. Elsa in "Frozen" is a great example.

What if we could project a short animation onto the floor as we take a big step on the floor?

Let's make it possible!

There is a toy projector in the market that can project a tiny positive film image to the wall. It is used for party decoration.

We can replace the positive film by a tiny modified LCD for playing a short animation. Add a shake sensor to detect the big step motion and then trigger the projection accordingly.

Please download and print the 3D parts at thingiverse:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6813035

Arduino IDE

Download and install Arduino IDE latest 1.x version if not yet:

https://www.arduino.cc/en/software

Arduino-ESP32

Follow installation step to add Arduino-ESP32 support if not yet:

https://docs.espressif.com/projects/arduino-esp32/en/latest/installing.html

Arduino_GFX Library

Open Arduino IDE Library Manager by selecting "Tools" menu -> "Manager Libraries...". Search "GFX for various displays" and press "install" button.

You may refer my previous instructables for more information about Arduino_GFX.

avilib

Download and import the avilib library to Arduino IDE:

https://github.com/lanyou1900/avilib.git

JPEGDEC

Open Arduino IDE Library Manager by selecting "Tools" menu -> "Manager Libraries...". Search "JPEGDEC" and press "install" button.

arduino-esp32fs-plugin

Follow installation step to add Arduino-esp32fs-plugin if not yet:

https://github.com/lorol/arduino-esp32fs-plugin

Note:

You may refer to Arduino Documentation for the details on how to import library to Arduino IDE.

Youtube has a Veritasium program called "Why are snowflakes like this?". I cut a few seconds of snowflakes growing video clip then adjust a little bit perspective to make a short animation for this project.

Thanks to Dr Ken Libbrecht for showing us how to grow designer snowflakes. Obviously, this video would not have been possible without his help and his expertise. His website is full of information about snowflakes http://snowcrystals.com. His new book is also available to purchase from here -- https://ve42.co/SnowCrystalsBook

Please download the program at GitHub:

https://github.com/moononournation/FootstepMagic.git

Then open the FootstepMagic.ino in Arduino IDE, compile and upload to LILYGO T-QT Pro. Remember also upload the AVI files using Arduino IDE tools ESP32 Sketch Data Upload.

After check the program animation display ok, follow the above video steps teardown the LCD backlight.

Here are the summary of the wire connection:

Ref.:

https://github.com/Xinyuan-LilyGO/T-QT

The projector LED can be very hot if turn on continuously so it needs a heat sink. But it is not a problems ofr this project since the LED should only turn on a few seconds for each big step.

This is a no screws design, just using masking tape for fixing.

This is a no screws design, just using double adhesive tape for fixing.

This is the best Frozen costume I even seen, enjoy!

This project program using AVI format playing animation, because it is designed playing sound. Simply add I2S module and tiny speaker can make it happen.

You may not a big Frozen fans, you can replace the animation with any other things. E.g. a rotating burning magic circle, a growing Lotus, land breaking effect and much more...

If you are not yet print the case, remember print v2 version. The new version can fixing with zip ties, you can feel more comfort when you make a big step. Enjoy!