Oh man, I want a houseful of these.
Cloud, by Richard Clarkson.
The Cloud is an Arduino-controlled, motion-triggered lightning & thunder performance, as well as a music-activated visualizing speaker. As an interactive lamp and speaker system designed to mimic a thundercloud in appearance, The Cloud employs embedded motion sensors to create unique lightning and thunder shows while providing entertainment value and inspiring awe. This is a kind of magic, not based on illusions and trickery, but on sensors and code. Featuring a powerful speaker system, The Cloud allows its beholder to stream music via any Bluetooth compatible device and can adapt to any desired lighting, color and brightness.
Acting as both an immersive lightning experience and visual feedback integrated speaker, The Cloud introduces innovative physical computing and interaction design hardware by bringing this technology into the home. The Cloud celebrates collaborative code, free-sharing and accessing prototyping information. The code is available to the public to use and improve, to provide blueprints for the next generation of smart objects.
[…]
The Cloud is made by felting hypoallergenic fiberfill to a sponge casing which holds the speakers and componentry within. Users control the functions of The Cloud through a small, wireless remote.
There’s much more at the site. Via The Creators Project.
I want one, too. Or several. But for the thunder and lightning, not so much for the musical aspects. :D I’d have one follow me around and express my mood (in a range from quiet, distant thunder to immediate, raging thunder) constantly -- even on public transport. :D
rq:
I have a 3 level thunderstorm play all night long, I can’t sleep without it. That’s on my tablet, which is bluetooth compatible, it would be awesome to channel it through one of these. I have to get Rick to look at everything, I’m betting he could figure out how to make one, as we don’t have 3k to spare.