Developers

Android Developers

Use Android Studio to develop Android apps for PIXEL:

Step 1. Add the JitPack repository to your build file

Add it in your root build.gradle at the end of repositories:

allprojects {
		repositories {
			...
			maven { url 'https://jitpack.io' }
		}
	} Step 2. Add the dependency

dependencies {
	        implementation 'com.github.alinke:PixelAndroidLibrary:2.0.0'
	}

Example Apps

REST API

Connect PIXEL to a PC or Raspberry Pi turning PIXEL into a web server that accepts REST API calls.

REST API

Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi Setup Instructions for PIXEL

Source Code on GitHub for PIXEL Command Line App

Java Windows or Mac Development

In addition to developing Android apps, the PIXEL SDK (based on the IOIO platform) also supports developing PC Java based application on the Windows for PIXEL over Bluetooth. PIXEL’s PC app was developed by Roberto Marquez.

Step 1. Git clone the above source code for PIXEL.

Step 2. Follow these instructions to setup your development environment using Eclipse or Netbeans. Note the instructions include setting up an automated build tool called Maven. You’ll also need Java JDK 7 installed.

Step 3. See the pixel-pc project

Step 4. Turn on PIXEL and Bluetooth pair from your computer using code: 0000

Note the PC app is currently supported on Windows only. As it’s a java based application, in theory it should work on Mac and Linux but just hasn’t been tested yet on these platforms (you’re welcome to try though).

PIXEL’s Firmware

Hardware Reference Information

Think of PIXEL as a secondary LED based display that displays something based on the logic in your Android app. Your Android device can control PIXEL over a Bluetooth or direct USB connection. To develop your own Android app for PIXEL, you’ll need to be familiar with Android programming and will use the open source PIXEL API.

The hardware portion of PIXEL is based on the open source IOIO platform which controls a 32×32 LED matrix equalling 1,024 RGB LEDs in total. For those familiar with Arduino, IOIO is similiar with the primary difference that IOIO comes with dedicated Android libraries and firmware meaning you only need to focus at the Android application layer. The lower level work (firmware, Bluetooth connectivity, etc.) is all taken care of for you. A separate Arduino like sketch on your microcontroller board for example is not required. Just develop in Android using the IOIO java libraries which handle communications (digital I/O, analog inputs, PWM outputs, SPI, TWI) to the hardware for you.

PIXEL uses a modified IOIO board which includes 5 Grove ports for interfacing with external sensors. Grove is a sensor connector interface created by Seeedstudio which involves no soldering. PIXEL’s interactive animations app supports an IR proximity sensor and the PIXEL Alcohol Detector app uses an alcohol sensor. You would need to write your own app to use additional Grove sensors.

For additional information on PIXEL’s micro controller, refer to the IOIO Wiki, PIXEL is based on the open source IOIO platform. PIXEL uses a slightly modified version of the IOIO firmware and libraries but all the detailed documentation and structure you’ll find on the IOIO Wiki applies to PIXEL too. IOIO has an active community of developers which you can connect with on the IOIO users forum.

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