Adafruit Wearables

Draft

Introduction

FLORA is Adafruit's wearable electronics platform. It's built around the Arduino Atmega32u4 chip and has built-in USB support.

It is an alternative to the Lilypad

Components of the FLORA system

Boards

AdaFruit Flora. Source: Flickr of AdaFruit

659 FLORA V3

• FLORA - Wearable electronic platform: Arduino-compatible - v3 (as of Aug 2019) is the main board. It it includes a processor, a LED and various connectors. ($ 15)
• 4.4 grams
• 4.5 cm diameter (1.75)
• 7mm thick (0.3")
• USB support (Micro B cable needed)
• Battery connector (several battery types are supported, i.e. 3.5v to 16v))
• 14 connectors / also used for sewing.

Circuit Playground

• An board that integrates LEDs, made for learning Arduino programming.
• See below for the Express pack version.

AdaFruit Circuit Playground Express'. Source: Flickr of AdaFruit

Circuit Playground Express ($25)

• This board can be programmed in several ways, including with MakeCode.
• Circuit Playground Express.
• 50.6mm / ~2.0", Weight: 8.9g
• $ 25

This board includes:

• 10 x mini NeoPixels, each one can display any color
• 1 Motion sensor (LIS3DH triple-axis accelerometer with tap detection, free-fall detection)
• 1 Temperature sensor
• 1 Light sensor. Can also act as a color sensor and pulse sensor.
• 1 Sound sensor (MEMS microphone)
• 1 Mini speaker with class D amplifier (7.5mm magnetic speaker/buzzer)
• 2 x Push buttons, labeled A and B
• 1 x Slide switch
• Infrared receiver and transmitter - can receive and transmit any remote control codes, as well as send messages between Circuit Playground Expresses. Can also act as a proximity sensor.
• .... and more

Input

• FLORA Accelerometer/Compass Sensor - LSM303 - v1.0
• Flora Wearable Ultimate GPS Module
• Flora Color Sensor with White Illumination LED - TCS34725
• Flora UV Index Sensor - Si1145 Light Sensor
• Flora Wearable Bluefruit LE Module. Bluetooth module, can act as controller. But also send data.

Ouptut

• Flora RGB Smart NeoPixel version 2 - Pack of 4
• GEMMA Talking Toy Guts Sound Pack

Packs

• FLORA GPS Starter Pack ($ 90)
• FLORA Budget Pack ($ 35)
• Getting Started with Adafruit FLORA Book Pack ($95). This includes probably everything that is needed for a simple project

Playground Express

Playground express are interesting for education since the board can be programmed with MakeCode, JavaScript or CircuitPython. In addition, it can communicate with other boards through the infrared sensor. In addition to the built-in LEDs and sensors, one also can attach external components.

• Circuit Playground Express - Base Kit, $25, includes a battery and USB cable.
• Circuit Playground Express Advanced Pack, $100, includes 2 Playground express, trheads, needles, alligator clips, a servo motor, NeoPixels, etc.

Sewing / fixing

• Small Alligator Clip Test Lead (set of 12) for testing before connecting the threads
• Stainless Medium Conductive Thread - 3 ply - 18 meter/60 ft
• Magnetic Pin Back

Other

• 3 x AAA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch and 2-Pin JST. If you plan to use standard AAA batteries.
• Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 1200mAh plus a a LiIon/LiPoly constant-voltage/constant-current charger to recharge them

Links

• Flora Main product page

Bibliography

See also: e-textile

• Stern, B., & Cooper, T. (2015). Getting started with Adafruit FLORA: making wearables with an Arduino-compatible electronics platform. Maker Media, Inc..