Update: Level B is now available! Click here to learn more.
Our team is hard at work on Level B which is scheduled to be released soon. I am so excited to share this update with you!
Level B focuses on learning to use various sensors as well as intermediate Python programming. One of the components you will learn to use is a matrix-style keypad. Specificially the keypad can be programmed to accept input that can be used to turn a program on or off. It can also be used to activate a component or trigger another action.
In this example, the program requires a specific code to "unlock" the game. The keypad is used to input a three digit code. The keypad is also connected to LEDs which allow us to see whether a number is being registered and whether the code is correct.
- Typing in a digit causes the blue LED to illuminate.
- Typing in the wrong sequence of three numbers causes the red LED to illuminate.
- Typing in the right sequnce cause the green LED to illuminate and the game unlocks.
Level B also continues to practice the Python coding skills learned in Level A and moves on to teach intermediate Python coding skills. The program in this example uses if/else statements and while loops from Level A. It also uses Python function commands which you will learn in Level B.
As your skills continue to progress, matrix-style keypads are useful ways to input data in a wide range of projects. For example, you could use this keypad and the Raspbery Pi to make a garage door opener that can be locked or unlocked with a specific code of your choosing.
Can you think of other projects where you'd want the user to input a correct code to trigger an action by the program or other components? I would love to hear your ideas!