Week 6

Steady Hand Game

Project Description

The "Steady Hand Game" is an interactive skill-based project that tests a player's focus and motor precision. The goal is to navigate a metal ring along a conductive wire path without making contact. This final version features an Arduino Uno with an RGB LED for visual status, a buzzer for audio feedback, and dual-reset capability (via a button or a start-wire trigger).

Objectives

Physical Computing: Learning how to bridge hardware (metal wires/sensors) with software (Arduino logic).
Advanced Control: Understanding the difference between delay() and millis() for non-blocking music and LED animations.
Logic Gates Simulation: Implementing INPUT_PULLUP to treat mechanical contacts as digital inputs.
User Experience (UX): Creating a complete feedback loop (Light, Sound, and Music) to guide the player.

Tools & Components

Arduino Uno
RGB LED
Buzzer
Push Button
Metal Path
Resistors (220)

Circuit Connections

Input Pins

Wire Path : Pin 2
Finish Point : Pin 3
Reset Button : Pin 4
Start Wire: Pin 5

Output Pins

RGB Red: Pin 9
RGB Green: Pin 10
RGB Blue: Pin 11
Buzzer: Pin 6

Working Logic

Idle State: The LED is Green, and the system is waiting for movement.
During Play: If the ring touches the wire path (Pin 2 goes LOW), the LED turns Red and the Buzzer sounds.
Victory: Touching the Finish Point (Pin 3) triggers winMode, activating a victory melody and dancing RGB colors.
Reset: The game resets to the idle state if the Reset Button or the Start Wire is touched.

Arduino Code

Steady Hand Game - RGB LED Common Anode + Start Wire.code

Implementation Steps

1. Simulation: Build the circuit on TinkerCad first to verify the wiring and code logic.

2. Component Placement: Secure the Arduino, RGB LED, and Push Button onto the breadboard.

3. RGB Wiring: Connect the color pins (9=Red, 10=Green, 11=Blue) using 220Ω resistors.

4. Powering LED: Connect the longest leg of the LED (Common Anode) to the 5V pin.

5. Buzzer Setup: Connect the positive terminal to Pin 6 and the negative terminal to GND.

6. Path Connection: Connect the main wire path to Pin 2, the Finish point to Pin 3, and the Start point to Pin 5.

7. Control Ring: Connect the metal ring (the part you hold) directly to a GND pin.

8. Reset Button: Connect one side of the button to Pin 4 and the other side to GND.

9. Upload & Test: Upload the final code and verify the colors: Green for play, Red for contact, and Blue for victory.

Development Stages

Stage 1: Basic LEDs

Used separate Red and Green LEDs to show game status.

Stage 2: RGB Upgrade

Replaced discrete LEDs with a single RGB LED for a more professional and compact design.

Stage 3: Victory Mode

Added a Finish Loop with programmed victory music and "dancing" light animations.

Stage 4: Interactive Reset

Added a Start Loop to allow a physical reset by touching the ring, alongside the reset button.

Suggested Improvements

Add an LCD Screen to display the current player's score or best time.
Integrate a 7-Segment Display as a countdown timer to increase difficulty.
Housing the project in a 3D Printed Case for a professional consumer product look.

Final Product

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