Responsive Scooter Safety Shirt
A Safety Shirt made with Circuit Playground Express, LEDs, and Conductive Thread for Night Riders
Interaction Highlights
INTRODUCTION
A wearable project built as a small classroom assignment exploring Adafruit Circuit Playground Express, NeoPixel LEDs, and conductive thread. The shirt automatically activates turn signals on the sleeves when the wearer tilts left or right, using the accelerometer’s X value to detect motion and re-center.
Design & Interaction
Sewing Pattern - Simplicity
Construction Process
Using the C Top sewing pattern (sizes 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
Concept Sketch
Early design showing LED placement on sleeves, wiring layout, and CPX mounted on the chest for easy access
Materials & Tools
Code & Testing
I first mounted the LEDs on cardboard and tested the CPX’s tilt axis. Using a manual button to trigger the LED sequence, I debugged the code logic, optimized turn signal sensitivity, and finally sewed the components into the shirt sleeves.
Final Wearable
Challenges & Reflection
This project showed me how to turn a concept sketch into a working wearable and embed electronics into a shirt. I learned to use tools from a seam ripper to a sewing machine and understood how garment pieces fit together.
I practiced coding with CircuitPython on the CPX and learned the circuit basics needed to attach the power source, LEDs and conductive thread wiring while working with patterns and measurements.
During coding, I fixed an issue where the left turn signal triggered but a quick tilt to the right did not switch. The problem came from using abs(x), which removed direction. Using positive and negative X-axis values and checking the state each frame solved it. This project strengthened my hands-on skills and gave me experience in combining design, wearables and technology.