DangerWeapon
This project was designed and built from scratch. The main DangerWeapon (black case) has gone through several iterations. The first version was simply a Netbook running Hackertype and an LED lit by connecting an alligator clip to a metal post. To trigger a camera flash, the operator subtly pressed a trigger switch while pressing a dummy red button. The first upgrade used an Arduino Uno to allow for a wide range of possible inputs and to allow the big red button to directly trigger the camera flash. The Uno also was able to communicate with the Netbook that was running a program script to guide the user through the activation steps. I also added audio output, which meant we could add verbal directions and an explosion sound effect to go with the camera flash.
The third, current version is built around a Raspberry Pi with the I/O broken out using a Gertboard. This allowed all of the code to be run by a single device. This version also added the silver briefcase, which contains a 555 timer circuit that generates a glowing LED effect in a tube of acrylic that is interrupted when the acrylic is removed or the briefcase is closed. This acrylic, which is decorated to look like a "reactor core," can be transferred to a receptacle in the black case, which activates a switch and turns on LEDs to resume the glowing effect. The process of acquiring the silver case and transferring the core from one case to the other was an integral part of the overall DangerWalk narrative.
The third, current version is built around a Raspberry Pi with the I/O broken out using a Gertboard. This allowed all of the code to be run by a single device. This version also added the silver briefcase, which contains a 555 timer circuit that generates a glowing LED effect in a tube of acrylic that is interrupted when the acrylic is removed or the briefcase is closed. This acrylic, which is decorated to look like a "reactor core," can be transferred to a receptacle in the black case, which activates a switch and turns on LEDs to resume the glowing effect. The process of acquiring the silver case and transferring the core from one case to the other was an integral part of the overall DangerWalk narrative.