Epic looking light-up clothing that adapts to the volume of the environment
Things used in this project
Hardware components
Software apps and online services
Hand tools and fabrication machines
Prusa Mks3
Story
The name is a working title, where the goal is to have epic looking clothing that registers sound to generate LED light displays. It would utilize individually addressable LED strips, as well as optional Paper-Thin LED Flex Panels, to create different sound activated display patterns that best suit the wearer's preferences. It will also utilize both ASCA organic solar films to contribute to recharging the battery to help prolong battery life. Since the idea is music driven, it only makes sense to also include a music player, and all of this would be easily controlled via a light display on the wearer's sleeve.
One key feature of the electronic attire is adaptive sound activation, such that it would continually process the volume of the environment and adjust the display. This makes it such that it would not just be fully illuminated at all times in a louder setting, such as a concert.
An Arduino Nano would be utilized to provide the features listed, such as the adaptive sound activated displays and various display pattern options. A MAX4466 would be a small sound sensor that could handle processing sound input without taking up much space or adding much weight.
The electronics enclosure would be on the inside of the shirt with a clip that can be used to attach to the wearer's pants for comfort and to avoid having the electronics move freely which wouldn't look ideal and could potentially shake parts loose.
To allow for washing, the LEDs would need silicone protection, either as a coating or via tubing. The electronics enclosure would be removable to ensure safe washing as well.
Paper-Thin LED Flex Panels would be utilized on both the sleeve and the chest. The sleeve would house the controls for the light-up clothing. Instead of standard buttons, conductive paint would be used to allow for touch controls. The LED Flex Panels would reside under the conductive touch controls. Waterproofing the LED Flex Panels via silicone covering to allow for washing also doubles as a way to prevent interference between the LED flex panels and the conductive paint. To protect the conductive paints, acrylic sealer spray would be applied, which has no negative impact on the conductive paint's effectiveness. These controls allow users to cycle through modes/display patterns as well as turn the lights on and off while maintaining (and further enhancing) aesthetics.
The music player would use a DFPlayer Mini and a small speaker, housed in the electronic enclosure. The microSD card storage serves as a way to keep the clothing fully standalone, where music can be played or paused via the sleeve controls instead of having to utilize an external device like a smartphone. However, if the general consensus is that Bluetooth is preferable, this could be changed into an HC-05 for Bluetooth control instead.
With clothing that revolves around electronics, battery life is very important. The rechargeable LiPo battery would be one that provides the best overlap between sizing and battery life, and the solar films would be on the shoulders to maximize sunlight exposure to help recharge the battery on the go.
With cables and wires, comfort needs addressed as well. The cables would run down along the sides of the spine of the wearer to the electronics enclosure with a layer of padding. Having the cables run beside the spine mitigates protrusions and the layer of padding would provide a generally enjoyable level of comfort, regardless of if cables were involved.
This is feature rich electronic attire, which would largely be seen as a benefit, but whenever the wearer is in a more minimalist mood, they can always adjust the mode to their liking. Either way, this provides an epic environment-driven light display as a wearable, as well as having music on the go as an added bonus.
The final notes are customization. While I've thought through what seems ideal, this is the idea phase and alternative approaches that are better received would of course be considered. Further, if it's possible to make different aspects optional when it comes to product ordering, I would be very on board with that since some people would simply want a sleeve controlled solar powered music player, others may want a concert-only outfit that doesn't require music, and others may want the whole thing.
I hope you enjoyed the idea/pitch, and we'll see if it can become a reality.
The article was first published in hackster, May 9, 2023
cr: https://www.hackster.io/thedonutsorelse/your-concert-clothes-adaptive-sound-activated-led-clothing-4ec6ae
author: donutsorelse
