Overview

This project focused on building a custom Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) pad using Arduino Leonardo. The pad is designed to function as a controller for DDR gameplay by simulating keyboard inputs.

This project originally drew inspiration from the DIY Dance Dance Revolution tutorial by Mel Huang, detailed in the Medium article.

Key Contributions

Hardware Design:
- Built the DDR pad structure using MDF boards, copper tape, and aluminum bars.
- Integrated sensors for directional inputs (up, down, left, right) and connected them to the Arduino Leonardo.
Programming:
- Wrote custom Arduino code to simulate keyboard input based on sensor readings.
- Utilized the Keyboard.h library to map DDR pad inputs to corresponding keyboard keys.
Testing and Debugging:
- Verified functionality through various gameplay scenarios and refined input responsiveness.

Tools and Technologies

Arduino Leonardo: Used for its ability to act as a keyboard.
C++: For programming the microcontroller.
MDF Board, Copper Tape, Aluminum Bars: For constructing the DDR pad.

Results

Developed two functional DDR pads designed for a two-player versus game mode.
Showcased the project in the Engineering Building during Fall 2019, where professors and students enthusiastically participated and enjoyed playing during breaks🪩🕺.

Final Thoughts

The project highlights a blend of hardware engineering and programming to create an interactive gaming experience. It was a hands-on exploration of integrating physical computing with game design.

Additional Resources

– Demo Video

– presentation You can view the documentation below or download the PDF.