IoT Projects

As an IoT computer, the Omega2 really shines when used for IoT projects. The combination of the Omega’s small form factor, low power draw, processing and networking capabilities, and the flexibility that comes from running Linux make it ideal for the type of connected and intelligent applications associated with IoT.

Use your Omega to easily add intelligence to everyday objects or existing technology:

smart plant running

and connect them to cloud-based IoT platforms:

IBM Watson weather station

Thereby allowing you to monitor and control your new smart item or device, regardless of your location. This opens the door to creating some really interesting devices in your very own home, school, or workplace.

Concepts

A highlight of some of the concepts that will be covered in these projects:

  • Controlling a webcam
  • Generating video from many still images
  • Interfacing with an online calendar service
  • Acquiring data from analog sensors with the Arduino Dock
  • Controlling various attached electronics components and hardware
  • Powering the Omega and external, higher voltage components with a single power supply
  • Installing additional Python modules
  • Adding internet connectivity to existing devices to extend their utility
  • Sending data to the IBM Watson IoT platform
  • Interfacing with the Losant IoT Platform; sending data and receiving commands
  • Using cgi to create quickly create endpoints on the Omega

Projects

IoT projects for the Omega2 IoT Computer:

  1. Weather Station
    • Report collected temperature and humidity data to IBM’s Watson IoT Platform
  2. Time-Lapse Camera
    • Create awesome timelapse videos with your Omega by taking photos at a regular interval and then stitching them together into a video
  3. Alarms based on an Online Calendar
    • Create an event on your online calendar and your Omega will buzz to remind you
  4. Thermal Printer
    1. Your very own Thermal Printer
      • Wire up a thermal printer and print from your browser
    2. A Compact Version
      • Put your soldering skills to use and setup a really compact thermal printer
  5. Smart Plant
    1. Measure Plant Data
      • Add smarts to your plant by measuring its soil moisture level
    2. Visualizing Plant Data
      • Send plant data to the Losant IoT Platform and check in on your plant from anywhere by looking at the nicely visualized data
    3. Twitter Alerts
      • Update the Losant workflow to notify you with a Tweet when your plant needs watering
    4. Automatic Plant Watering
      • Add a water pump to your setup and update the Losant workflow to automatically water your plant when it needs watering
    5. A Single Power Supply
      • Update the smart plant setup so the Omega and pump can be powered with a single supply
  6. Temperature-Based Smart Fan
    • Cool stuff down by spinning up a fan based on temperature readings
  7. IoT Lock
    1. On your Local Network
      • Wire up an electric lock and control it from a browser on your local network
    2. Control the lock with a Tweet
      • Add to the IoT lock to allow authorized Twitter users to control the lock with specific hashtags in a Tweet