Magic 8 Ball

Maybe it can predict the future, maybe it can’t. Who can tell?

Accelerometers are often used in serious applications such as the life saving application of a car’s air bag deployment. Far less significant, unless you are really looking for guidance in making life changing decisions, is the proverbial Magic 8 Ball. Instead of the fluid filled version, I decided to build my own electronic version. Here is the completed form of that idea. It uses a simple analog accelerometer to detect if it has been shaken. Once it detects a valid request it then “randomly” provides the answer to the question the user has asked on the LCD screen and then goes back to sleep.

This was my first 3D print that included screw threads. The blue case holds the 18650 lithium battery and mechanically secures it to the project box. If I used an adhesive or other conventional battery mounts there is a chance the battery could have come loose while being vigorously shaken by someone desperate to find answers to all of life’s questions. It took three iterations, but the final print works very nicely.

Alternative uses might be the grade version of the magic 8 ball where students can ask it what grade they will receive. Funny answers and the occasional real grade response are sure to provide me hours of entertainment.