Project Hub /Audio Displays & Interactive Media/LED Matrix & Cube Displays/SateLight - A customizable, modular desktop light

Intermediate

ESP32

₹1,500 – ₹5,000

6 – 12 Hours

Partial Kit

SateLight - A customizable, modular desktop light

A customizable, modular desktop lamp featuring magnetic connectors that allow you to expand it with various sensors, lights, and mechanical modules.

Originally published on Hackaday.io

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

ESP32 WiFi+Bluetooth CP2102 Development Board Rs. 520.00
LDR Light Sensor Module Rs. 49.00
10pcs 5mm RED Diffused Light Emitting Diodes - LEDs Set Rs. 39.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

We don't carry yet: ATmega / AVR chip
Header Pins / Terminals / Connectors
Enclosure / Box / Case

Browse all components

How It Works

The SateLight system functions as a modular desktop light controlled primarily by an ESP32-WROOM microcontroller running custom firmware or WLED. At its core, the lamp illuminates your workspace using individually addressable SK6812 RGBW LEDs, which offer both vibrant color mixing and true white lighting channels. Environmental awareness is integrated into the design via a VEML6030 Ambient Light Sensor, allowing the system to dynamically measure surrounding room brightness and potentially trigger automated lighting adjustments. To handle hardware expansion without cluttering the device with permanent wiring, the architecture incorporates 4-pin magnetic connectors. These physical interfaces supply power and data lines to interchangeable modules, making it seamless to snap on new lighting tiers, sensors, or mechanical attachments. Furthermore, an ATMEGA328PB-AU secondary processor functions as a dedicated I2C NeoPixel driver, offloading pixel-management tasks from the main ESP32-WROOM to ensure smooth lighting animations and responsive interactive performance.

Why Build This

Develop advanced hardware prototypes for modular smart home accessories that can physically reconfigure using magnetic interfaces.

Implement desktop environmental monitoring stations by integrating ambient light sensing data with programmable LED outputs.

Design and program interactive lighting displays using the ESP32 platform, WLED firmware, and custom I2C co-processing architectures.

Real-World Application

Modular smart home accessories, desktop environmental monitoring stations, and interactive programmable lighting displays.

Skills You'll Learn

I2C communication

addressable LED protocol implementation

firmware flashing via Arduino IDE

modular hardware bus design

microcontroller task offloading

ambient light sensing integration

Safety Precautions

Ensure correct polarity when wiring magnetic connectors to prevent short circuits and damage to microcontrollers.

Technology Tags

ESP32

ARDUINO

NEOPIXEL

I2C

MAGNETIC CONNECTORS

3D PRINTING

WLED

SENSORS

MODULAR DESIGN

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I program the ESP32 using the Arduino IDE?

Yes, the project supports the Arduino IDE for flashing both custom firmware and compatible lighting software like WLED.

What is the purpose of the ATMEGA328PB-AU chip?

It acts as a dedicated I2C NeoPixel driver, handling pixel-driving tasks to keep the main ESP32 free for other system processes and wireless tasks.

How do the modular expansion pieces connect physically and electrically?

They use 4-pin magnetic connectors that snap together easily while safely routing power and data between the base unit and attached modules.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

PRJ-01628