PRESSURE SENSOR

The pressure sensor is a touch-activated module; give its pad a little squeeze to activate it. The more pressure you apply, the more signal it sends out. Put it in front of a vibration motor to control how much it shakes!

Recommended Age: 8+

• The pressure sensor lets you control your littleBits with touch; the more pressure you apply to its pad, the more signal it sends out
• LittleBits let you add electronics to your arts & crafts projects without soldering or programming
• The magnetic connector won't let you put things together the wrong way

Product Specifications.

• Dimensions (mm): 20.0(H) x 77.0(W) x 149.0(D)
• Product Weight: 0.01 lbs (0.003 kg)
• Recommended Age: 8+

Tips & Tricks

BUILD YOUR CIRCUIT

The pressure sensor is an amazingly tactile input Bit that is versatile and fun to use in projects. With the a squeeze of the circular pad, you can activate your circuit. The more pressure you place on the Bit, the higher the output signal will be and vice-versa. This means that you have more control over the output in your circuit. Try it with a bargraph or a buzzer:

Now that you understand the how the Bit works, here’s some of our favorite creative ways to use the pressure sensor.

CRAFTY

1. Add weight

Try adding weight to the pressure sensor to keep it on or make it more sensitive. The more weight you add, the more sensitive it will become. We placed a hammer on out pressure sensor.

2. Tape it

Taping the pressure sensor down is an easy way to keep it in place. Because of its sleek, flat design, the pressure sensor virtually disappears on any surface.

3. Detector

Because the pressure sensor is flat, and becomes part of any surface, you can use it to detect things. For example, try setting it up and seeing if it can sense when something rolls over it. We tested with both a bottle and a cricket ball.

4. Whoopie Cushion

Make your own homemade whoopie cushion using the pressure sensor, a buzzer, and a pillow. Tape the pressure sensor down to a chair and wait until an unsuspecting victim comes along.

5. Silly face

The pressure sensor is great for embedding in projects. All you need to do is cut a slit wide enough for the pressure pad to pass though, and all the rest of your Bits can hide behind or inside your project. We made this silly face that is activated by a pressure sensitive tongue.

6. Stick it

Here is a little known fact about the pressure sensor – it is actually a sticker! You can peel a circular piece of film off of the pressure pad to reveal a sticky surface. Choose the surface you want to stick it to wisely as the adhesive will probably only last for one or two projects. We chose to install a “lights out” alarm in our office. We stuck the pressure pad to our light switch. When we turn the lights off, a bell rings, signifying that it is time to go home.

7. Sew it

The pressure sensor is flexible and lends itself well to wearable projects. We used a needle and thread to sew the pressure sensor and a lightwire to a sweater. Free “light up” hugs ensued.

8. Apply pressure

Check out this awesome back massager project that combines the pressure sensor with the bargraph and the vibration motor. The more pressure added the the sensor the stronger the vibration of your back massager. Learn how to make it here:

9. Custom Parts

Use a 3d printer to make custom accessories for your pressure sensor. See this 3d-printed scale made by our wonderful community.