LumiCube is the ultimate kit for Raspberry Pi Or that is what, at least, its creators say. Although if we are honest with you, they may be right. Because this box will not only allow you to store one of these popular development boards inside, thanks to its panels with a total of 192 RGB LEDs plus the use of different sensors and other elements, it can be an ideal product for the smart home.
The Ultimate Raspberry Pi Kit
We already know that for the Raspberry Pi there are many accessories of all kinds. And if they do not exist, the most enthusiastic of this development board are capable of creating them through 3D printing. Although sometimes it is not necessary to complicate much because there are already those who have created that ideal casing to create your retro console or to use as a desktop computer, NAS, etc.
However, proposals like this one that we are going to talk about a little more calmly are not usually so common. Something similar could be done because there are already components to do it, but if they give you everything done it is much easier. In addition, the finish and aesthetics seem great to us. But let's talk about what it is and what it offers.
What is LumiCube?
what you see is LumiCube, an accessory designed to be used together with the Raspberry Pi. What's more, inside it is where the plate is placed and it would look like another box if it weren't for the rest of the elements that really give it value.
To start we have three panels that with a total of 192 programmable RGB LEDs They can give a lot of play to all those users with some programming knowledge. Although if you don't have them it won't be a problem either, because it wouldn't take long for numerous headlines to show how to use them even dynamically.
Along with these panels that are the great keyboard, LumiCube also even a small IPS screen so you can interact with its options without having to connect the Raspberry Pi to an external display. It also includes buttons to control your options, a microphone, speakers and various sensors, including a accelerometer, light sensor and gestures.
What LumiCube can do
To the question of what this accessory or device can do for the Raspberry Pi, the answer would be practically everything. From the start it could recognize the user's voice to allow him to interact, also recognize his position thanks to the different sensors and, of course, the most striking of all: use its three LED panels for whatever you can think of with them.
For example, thanks to these LED panels You could create a device that simulates dawn and helps you wake up with a progressive increase in light. Also create dynamic patterns with which to display all kinds of drawings on them (with the limitation of the number of LEDs available on each panel) to give a different touch to your workspace, living room or bedroom if you decide to use it on the nightstand.
There are many and varied possible uses, because even to use it as a notification to apply productivity techniques such as Pomodoro or know when they call the door of the house, etc. Anything you can do with your Raspberry Pi you will be able to see how to give it a different point with LumiCube.
- Timer for Pomodoro Technique
- Alarm lamp
- digital lava lamp
- Music equalization visualizer
- Binary clock
These are some examples that its creators propose, but surely many more are already going through your head. Especially if several of these LumiCube are combined.
When can it be purchased?
LumiCube launches as a Kickstarter campaign, but it is clear that without this campaign, once it was launched on the market, it would have been a sales success because this type of product is very popular. However, for now it is the way to achieve it and if you want to get one you only have to support with a few 105 euros.
If you do so, according to the road map of those responsible, the first units will be shipped in September 2021 to everyone who has paid the minimum they are asking right now for it. If you prefer to wait for its launch in the store, because you don't trust it or for another reason, the only thing you should know is that its price will probably go up a bit. However, if you're a fan of the Raspberry Pi, it's worth keeping a close eye on.