Good Morning Sunshine: the LittleBits Wakeup Machine

A cloud-connected circuit that automatically opens up your curtains and plays a wake up sound every morning at sunrise (or other time of your choosing).

Using IFTTT we can send a trigger signal through the cloudBit at a scheduled time every day. This signal goes down both wires of the Split Module. On one end it causes the servo to pull the pin that is holding up a counterweight. When the pin is pulled, the weight falls, pulling the cord that opens the curtains. On the other end of the split, the trigger signal causes the mp3 players to start playing a sound file. This file is played through the speaker, which is hooked up to an old radio horn for amplification and general awesomeness.

Step 1: Cut Out the Wooden Panels

Cut out the wooden panels you will need to assemble the shelf for the circuit and speaker. The image above will show you what you need to cut. If you want a print out template, we've included a PDF you can download below.

Step 2: Start Gluing

Glue the panels A, B, and C together as shown in the assembly graphic. When you add the shaft collar, make sure that the set screw is facing the back of the shelf. A couple of pieces of double sided tape will help keep the shaft collar in place while you are gluing.

Step 3: Glue Together the Servo Mount

Next, glue two of the D strips together to create a .5” x .5” x 2.75” block. Repeat this with the other two D strips. When they are both dry, glue them to the back of panel A as shown in the assembly diagram. The space between the two pieces should be the width of the servo.

Step 4: Glue Together the Speaker Mount

Next, glue both E and F strips together to form the square that will hold the speaker. When this is dry, glue the square to the top of plate C (as shown in the assembly diagram)

Step 5: I See a Wood Shelf and I Want to Paint It Black...

Once all the glue has dried, you can paint the assembled shelf and screw it into the two shelf brackets. A clamp will help keep the shelf in place while you work.

Step 6: Screw in the Servo

Next, put the servo in the slot you created at the back of the shelf and screw it into place.

Step 7: Build Your Circuit

Place your speaker on the small speaker box with the speaker facing down into the hole. (a little hot glue or tape can help keep it in place) and then add the rest of your circuit. Adhesive shoes will help keep the bits in place as you work

Step 8: Mount the Shelf on the Wall

Screw the shelf to the wall next to your window and then add the radio horn. The set screw on the shaft collar will lock the horn in place.

Step 9: Set Up Your Pulleys

Mount the two pulleys on either side of your curtain rod and add the pull cord. One end of the pull cord can be tied directly to the right curtain. You will need to run a string from the left curtain to the top of the pull cord.

Step 10: Add the Counter Weight and Quick Release Pin

Tie the other end of the pull cord to the steel ring, then use a little more rope to tie the counterweight to the ring. Mount the panel hanging bracket (which we use to hold the quick release pin in place) on the wall so that when the curtains are closed, the steel ring sits right inside the bracket. NOTE: The quick release pin we bought has a small spring and ball mechanism that locks it in place. We used a file to grind this ball down so the pin would pass through the bracket easier.

Step 11: Tie the Pin to the Servo

Use a string to tie the quick-release pin to the servo. A eye hook will help guide the string from the servo to the release mechanism. This string will need to be pretty tight so that when the servo turns it pulls the pin all the way out of the bracket.

Step 12: Automate It With IFTTT

Now that your wakeup machine is all set it, it’s time to automate it with IFTTT. If you want to wake up with the sunrise, your recipe would look like this: WHEN the sun rises (and we're pretty sure it will), THEN activate my Wake Up Machine. You could also use the Date & Time channel or the Google Calendar channel to activate the Wake Up Machine at a specific time each day.