Appendix D. Raspberry Pi projects
In this appendix, you’ll find short discussions and descriptions of projects you can do with your Raspberry Pi. The goal is to launch you on your way. This isn’t a detailed set of instructions, but rather hints and basic steps for how you can make some of these projects.
Halloween can be an inspiring time to use your Raspberry Pi to create a fun or scary display for your home. Let’s face it—it’s fun to scare people on Halloween. This project is about building a system for surprising trick-or-treaters who come to your door. When they approach, their movement will trigger a motion sensor that will display a video of a face talking or singing. The video is projected onto a Styrofoam head that is placed next to the door.
Here is what you’ll need for this project:
- Raspberry Pi with a breadboard, a breakout board, and a ribbon cable
- Passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor
- Projector
- Powered computer speakers
- Styrofoam heads (one or more)
- Small tables: one for the Pi and projector, and another for the Styrofoam head
- Extension cord and power strip
- Video of a singing or talking head
To construct this project, here are the steps:
1. Connect your Raspberry Pi to the breadboard, and add the PIR sensor. This is similar to how you added the mini pushbutton in chapter 8.