Build Your Own Electromechanical FerryClock

Tech Lab

Build Your Own Electro-Mechanical FerryClock

Come build your own state-of-the-art electromechanical ferry-tracking apparatus!

 

Tuition Assistance and Other Policies

Meeting Times
  1. Sun, 8/6/2023 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Sun, 8/6/2023

Closed

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Type:
No Prerequisite, Class

Location:
Tech Lab

Interests:
Electronics, Laser Cutter

About

FerryClock™ is a self-setting analog wall clock with additional dials and lights to indicate the real-time position, heading, and docking status of the two Bainbridge-Seattle ferryboats (additional routes coming soon). It should prove ferry useful in your own home. 

From a kit, we will assemble, wire, and solder the gadgets. At home, you will ‘launch’ your FerryClock™ by connecting it to your wireless network (internet). 

How does it work? A proprietary algorithm (conceived by a member of the Bainbridge High School robotics team the Spartronics) running in the cloud continually compares the up-to-the-minute (every 15 seconds) latitude/longitude (GPS) location of a real ferryboat (via the Washington State Ferries API) against a reference path to generate a precise sailing progress value. A small, Arduino-compatible microcontroller within FerryClock™ connects to the FERRY TEMPO server over WiFi to receive fresh data, controlling the lights and motors accordingly.

Materials

A materials kit fee of $125 is included in the cost of the class. It includes  laser-cut parts, motors, lights, wires, hardware, microcontroller, USB cable, "atomic" clock mechanism, hands, battery, and literature.

Class Policies

  • Ages 14 and up are welcome.

BARN Policies

Instructors or Guides

Matthew Carrig

Matt is a multi-disciplinary designer. Read more at ferries-over-winslow.org

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