Embedded Computing Tools

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For DIY technologists, one of the most powerful tool sets is in embedded computing (part of the broader umbrella of ubiquitous computing, per Wikipedia). This is a parallel approach to our work with telephony (SMS, MMS, branching voice), and our no-tech/low-tech approaches like yard signs with QR codes (see examples). All three approaches can be used together, including with our custom Hive Mechanic servers.

OVERVIEW: Your experience can respond to the physical world, including through a storytelling box, kiosk, or sensor — including motion sensors, RFID taps and more. It could happen in a makerspace, a museum exhibit, or at the front desk of a library. The physical device can even be in contact with one of our Hive Mechanic servers (optional). We have experimented with kiosks powered by tiny Raspberry Pi computers. See our embedded computing tools page, or browse one storytelling box component assembly

Tools for Storytelling Boxes and Installations

If we want to create storytelling boxes or kiosks with a physical installation, what low-cost tools are available? Examples include:

  • Storytelling Box with Touchscreen (see Recipe Book, Section B)
  • Listening Stations for a Storytelling Hotline (see Recipe Book, Section D)
  • Storytelling Box with Two Buttons (see Recipe Book, Section D)

RFID

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a technology that uses radio waves to identify objects. A “reader” device recognizes the radio frequency of an object that contains a wireless “tag” and identifies the tag as a unique number or string of characters. Tags come in all forms including ID cards, RFID stickers, bracelets, fake fingernails, and more! Using RFID as a way for participants to interact or cause a change in a storytelling box can be an awesome user experience without a lot of technology involved!

Makey Makey

Makey Makey is a mid-priced ($50) alternative controller that we have found to be an excellent way to control digital components of storytelling boxes and physical installations. The technology is relatively simple and comes ready for “plug-and-play” out of the box. The interesting part of the Makey Makey is that it activates the controller with electric conductivity, meaning you can activate it using anything conductive; bananas, Play-Doh sculptures, and more! We feel that we’ve only hinted at the tip of the iceberg of possibilities for physical installations that use Makey Makey and can’t wait to see what others come up with!

Scratch

Scratch is a free visual coding language and platform created by MIT and is a great way to create programs to run the digital components of storytelling boxes without any coding experience required! With Scratch, we (and others) have been able to quickly create complex programs to run storytelling boxes without having to use traditional computer code. The Scratch community is vast and coupled with the guides and tutorials baked into the interface, anyone who wants to create something will be successful!

Micro:bit

Micro:bit is an affordable (~$17) programmable microcontroller originally developed as a part of the BBC’s Make It Digital Initiative and has since grown into an internationally-recognized tool for digital education. These microcontrollers are first programmed using either Scratch or Microsoft’s MakeCode where the LEDs, buttons, and other sensors are used to create all sorts of games and activities. Since releasing the second version, this microcontroller also has speakers allowing for audio development. We personally haven’t yet used these in a storytelling box but we have plenty of ideas and hope that others find similar inspiration with this great tool!

Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi is an affordable computer ($35-$70, depending on how advanced of a model you need) that is small enough to fit into your pocket, or into a discrete part of a storytelling box! These computers are powerful enough to run all types of software, plug into a keyboard, monitor, speakers, and anything else you might expect from a regular computer. We have found them to be particularly useful for more complex storytelling boxes; for example, if we created a branching narrative in Twine (see above) and we wanted to integrate it into a storytelling box. The possibilities of storytelling boxes running on a Raspberry Pi are endless!