Pipo Modules Add Gesture Control, Motion Sensing, and Analog Sensors to Interactive Projects

Belgium-based Pipo Interfaces announced Pipo, a new versatile family of sensors aimed at creative interactivity between people, real-world objects, and digital creations. Pipo is an ecosystem with three ESP32-based modules divided into motion sensing, range/gesture detection, and analog inputs. With a built-in web-based configurator, these modules enable the rapid building of multimedia exhibits, MIDI instruments, and many other interactive projects.

The three Pipo modules have a purposeful function while sharing a core set of features. They all feature an ESP32-S3-Mini module, which provides Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE (BLE), and USB connectivity. The Wi-Fi interface runs a web server with a front end written with the Svelte UI framework. This user-friendly UI lets you configure the module's settings on the fly while seeing the sensor's real-time data stream without modifying any code!

Pipo's BLE and USB connectivity can generate keystrokes and mouse movements for an application on a host PC. For example, using gestures, Pipo can control a presentation, media player, or custom application. Pipo can also act as a native MIDI peripheral. A USB Type-C connector provides data and power to the Pipo modules. Additionally, a built-in LiPo charge controller allows them to run on batteries.

Pipo Motion converts 3D orientation, 2D acceleration, and physical taps into data streams, variable controls, and virtual button presses. It has a TDK InvenSense ICM-20984 9-axis accelerator. Pipo Interfaces showed a demo of a person rotating a Motion module in free space that controls a 3D object on a PC.

Pipo Range measures distances and detects gestures with a Time of Flight (ToF) sensor. The STMicroelectronics VL5314CX can detect a hand up to 1.5 meters away and a larger object like a person or wall up to 5 meters away. The unique demo uses the Range module to allow players to use their hands to naturally move the paddles in the game Pong.

Pipo Analog expands support to (almost) any analog sensor or peripheral. This highly adaptable module has six analog voltage inputs and six capacitive touch pads. The analog inputs are accessible through three Grove-style connectors, which have two analog inputs each. The analog inputs have selectable ranges from 3.3 to 12 volts. The touch pads can act as momentary buttons or provide proximity sensing. This flexibility expands the type of signals Pipo Analog can measure.

The firmware running on the modules is open source and based on the Arduino Framework using PlatformIO. Pipo Interfaces plans to open source the firmware, web UI, and hardware design in the future. Visit the Pipo Campaign page to sign up for notifications and to learn when the Crowd Supply campaign is active.