Arduino Wearables

C H A P T E R  10

Sunshine Umbrella

Mixing electronics and rain might not sound like a good idea, but people usually think this for the wrong reason. Water alone is not what damages electronic components. It is even possible to wash the LilyPad if you want to; the important thing is to make sure that the LilyPad is dry once you turn it back on. Short circuits are what can destroy an electronic component. The problem with water is that it is a very good conductor, thus making it great for creating short circuits. But applied in the right way, water can be used as an input to your Arduino.

With this project, we will add some light to rainy days by adding LEDs into an ordinary umbrella—where more rain will add more light. So you can look forward ...