ObjectBlocks makes easy Arduino and IOT development

This article is to introduce ObjectBlocks, a suite of tools that help developers / students construct their Arduino and IOT projects with ease.

ObjectBlocks Shield Prime

ObjectBlocks consists of an Arduino UNO shield (and we call it "ObjectBlocks Shield Prime"). It has embedded an ESP-32 chipset; thus, when Shield Prime stacks on top of an Arduino, it makes Arduino WiFi and bluetooth enabled.

ObjectBlocks Management Tool App

ObjectBlocks consists of an app with which you can manage your multiple ObjectBlocks Shield Prime.

ObjectBlocks Web Platform

The core is ObjectBlocks Web Platform (link) that glues everything together. With ObjectBlocks Web Platform, you can code and upload Arduino programs to Arduino (with ObjectBlocks Shield Prime) via WiFi. It all means that your completed IOT projects are not physically tied to anything at all; all logics can be programmed as long as the device is online.

Here are some of the major features in ObjectBlocks Web Platform:

Block Program Interface

You can program using block programs instead of writing lines of Arduino C code - and if you wish, you could also "lock" the block program interface halfway and modify the C code.

Currently we support around 40-50 actuators and sensors that are widely available in the market - and continue adding more to the list. (Later we plan to add a sandbox to which developers can add their own block commands).

Channels

You can think of Channels as remote storage for sensor values or messages from Arduino. If you need to have your Arduino "talk" to another Arduino, you create a Channel to which your Arduino sends the message, and from which another Arduino receives. By doing so, you can create home automation projects for example in which a motion sensor at the doorstep can trigger the lightbulb at bathroom.

Not only do Channels connect with Arduino, they can also connect to other devices like apps, smart home devices as well, using web hooks and web sockets.

Data Dashboard

Data stored in Channels can be pushed to data dashboard for real-time display. There are many widgets (line chart, gauge, text, table etc) with which you can choose how to display your data in data dashboard. You can then share your dashboard to others if you wish doing so.

Raspberry Pi / Google AIY Kit Support

ObjectBlocks Web Platform also supports Raspberry Pi and Google AIY Voice / Vision Kit, similar to how it works with Arduino. Its block program can generate Python codes and remotely upload the code to Raspberry Pi. Data or messages can also be sent to Channels to "talk" to Arduino or send to data dashboard.

Projects with ObjectBlocks

The followings are sample projects you can do with ObjectBlocks:

Mini Weather Station

You can attach DHT-11, light sensor etc to create your own mini weather station that runs on battery or power bank. The weather data can then be sent and displayed in your dashboard, and weather alerts can be sent to mobiles or other smart devices.

You can find the project details here.

Home Automation Projects

You can attach infrared transmitter to your Arduino to control your electric fan, TV, air conditioner etc. With that, you can then install whatever sensors in another Arduino (e.g. DHT-11 from mini weather station), and then remotely control your fan, TV or air conditioner.

Science Projects

You can attach gyroscope sensor to a moving vehicle and detect the velocity and acceleration with Arduino. All data can be shown real-time in data dashboard and also recorded and exported to CSV file for analysis.

AI Robotic Arm

You can program Google AIY Vision Kit that are trained to classify different lego blocks and inform via Channels an Arduino to control a Robotic Arm to put the lego blocks to the right place.