Summary of wozItDo: Tiny IQ puzzel, BIG challenge
The wozItDo is a small puzzle device built around an ATTiny85 MCU with one pushbutton and three LEDs; users must deduce its behavior through interaction. It emphasizes minimal hardware hiding complex firmware (about 1200 lines) to create deceptively tricky challenges inspired by classic IQ puzzles.
Parts used in the wozItDo:
- Atmel ATTiny85 (1)
- LED generic (3)
- Resistor 221 ohm or 220 ohm (3)
- SparkFun Pushbutton switch 12mm or similar (1)
- Coin Cell Battery Holder (1)
- Coin Cell Battery CR2032 or any 3V cell that fits (1)
- Soldering iron (hand tool)
- Hand tools and fabrication machines as needed
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Story
I think of this puzzle as the electronic equivalent of those annoying “IQ” puzzles (e.g. where you have to get two parts apart). A wozItDo has just one button and three LEDs and all you have to do is to work out what it does. Beware: it’s deceptively tricky and once you think you’ve cracked it, there’s still more.
So what’s with the name? We’ll about 30 years ago I made my first “computer”. A 6502 MPU with a keypad, some 7-segment LEDs and a handful of other bits. I was inordinately proud of it but when I showed it off to other people they seemed unimpressed and often asked “But what’s it do?” Nothing, really, but that’s not the point.
When I started playing with the ATTINY85 I was super impressed. It’s this understated little 8 pin DIL that costs <$2 but burred inside is the enormous complexity of a full blown ATMEL MCU. And all you need to give it is power. wozItDo is in that spirit. It looks disarmingly simple but there a lot more than first meets the eye. To give you an idea there’s about 1200 lines of source code packed away inside that tiny 8 pin chip.
For more detail: wozItDo: Tiny IQ puzzel, BIG challenge
So what’s with the name? We’ll about 30 years ago I made my first “computer”. A 6502 MPU with a keypad, some 7-segment LEDs and a handful of other bits. I was inordinately proud of it but when I showed it off to other people they seemed unimpressed and often asked “But what’s it do?” Nothing, really, but that’s not the point.
When I started playing with the ATTINY85 I was super impressed. It’s this understated little 8 pin DIL that costs <$2 but burred inside is the enormous complexity of a full blown ATMEL MCU. And all you need to give it is power. wozItDo is in that spirit. It looks disarmingly simple but there a lot more than first meets the eye. To give you an idea there’s about 1200 lines of source code packed away inside that tiny 8 pin chip.
For more detail: wozItDo: Tiny IQ puzzel, BIG challenge
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What microcontroller is used in the wozItDo?
The project uses an Atmel ATTiny85 microcontroller. -
How many LEDs does the device include?
The device includes three LEDs. -
What type of battery powers the wozItDo?
It is powered by a CR2032 coin cell or any 3V cell that fits. -
How many pushbuttons are used?
The project uses one pushbutton switch, such as the SparkFun 12mm switch. -
What resistors are used for the LEDs?
Three resistors around 221 ohm or 220 ohm are used, one per LED. -
Do I need soldering tools to build it?
Yes, a soldering iron and basic hand tools are listed as needed. -
How complex is the firmware inside the ATTiny85?
The article states there are about 1200 lines of source code inside the chip. -
Is the device intended to perform a specific useful function?
No, it is designed as a puzzling interactive challenge rather than a practical device.
