Calculon

Calculon is an over-dramatic robot that lives in the Data News office. Calculon is a Spark Core in the DataNews office that does some fun stuff. Check out NotoriousBOT Calculon integration to see how the world (and Hubot) talks to Calculon.

Software

1. Be the owner of the Spark Core. Only one account can own a Spark Core and though it asks for a transfer for ownership, this does not work. This means you have to be the current owner to update the code.
2. Open up the Spark Core build dashboard.
3. Select the relevant Spark Core in the Core section.
4. If this project has already been made, select the Calculon code project in the Code section.
5. Add libraries (this may already be done). Adding libraries is done through the interface.
   • NeoPixels
6. Copy the code from calculon.ino into the Code editor.
7. Flash the Spark with the Flash icon.

Hardware

Chartbeat meter

This uses a string of NeoPixels to represent the Chartbeat API.

IMPORTANT: To reduce NeoPixel burnout risk, add 1000 uF capacitor across pixel power leads, add 300 - 500 Ohm resistor on first pixel's data input and minimize distance between Arduino and first pixel.

Example update:

curl https://api.spark.io/v1/devices/<CORE_ID>/chartbeat \
  -d access_token=<ACCESS_TOKEN> \
  -d params=<NUMBER_OF_USERS_FROM_CHARTBEAT>

Ice cream party

This uses a servo to spin an ice cream cone around when its ice cream time.

Example update:

curl https://api.spark.io/v1/devices/<CORE_ID>/icecream \
  -d access_token=<ACCESS_TOKEN>

Camera rotator

This takes in a number of degrees to move a servo.

curl https://api.spark.io/v1/devices/<CORE_ID>/camera \
  -d access_token=<ACCESS_TOKEN> \
  -d params=<DEGREES_TO_MOVE>