/// HYBRID · BV-008← BACK TO INDEX
// MECHATRONICS
Ambient Temperature Sensor
Arduino + RGB LED comparing local temp readings against a webscraped forecast — gradient-bright LED based on % difference.
Software
Arduino / Python webscraper
Material
Arduino shield
Duration
Apr — May 2019
// Project Notes
Objective: Read the temperature sensor on the Arduino shield and compare it against the local forecast. If the sensor is above or below the local temp, gradually change the intensity of an RGB LED — and plot a live temperature graph.
Problem: The RGB light wouldn't change intensity as intended.
Solution: Compute a percent error between local temp and sensor reading, then convert that percent difference into LED intensity.
The script webscrapes the local weather forecast for San Jose, then continuously compares the live Arduino sensor reading. If the sensor is warmer than the forecast the LED turns red; cooler turns blue. A 10% error band controls the brightness gradient. Live readings get plotted on a graph for diagnostics.