Puck.js – The Ground-Breaking Bluetooth Low Energy Beacon

Puck.js is a Bluetooth Low Energy Beacon which can be programmed and debugged wirelessly with JavaScript. It is both multi-functional and easy to use.  This beacon uses a custom circuit board with the latest Nordic chip, Bluetooth LE, Infrared transmitter, NFC, magnetometer, temperature sensor, RGB LEDs, and much more. Unlike other beacons, Puck.js comes with the open source JavaScript interpreter Espruino pre-installed, which makes it incredibly easy to use. Anyone without any prior programming experience can get started in seconds.

Specifications:

• Espruino JavaScript interpreter pre-installed
• nRF52832 SoC – Cortex M4, 64kB RAM, 512kB Flash
• 8 × 0.1″ GPIO (capable of PWM, SPI, I2C, UART, Analog Input)
• 9 × SMD GPIO (capable of PWM, SPI, I2C, UART)
• Compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 – giving Quadruple the range, and double the speed of Bluetooth 4.2
• Built-in Near Field Communications (NFC)
• 12 bit ADC, timers, SPI, I2C, and Serial
• MAG3110 Magnetometer
• IR Transmitter
• Red, Green and Blue LEDs
• Pin capable of capacitive sensing
• Built-in temperature sensor, light sensor, and battery level sensor
• ABS plastic rear case and silicone cover with tactile button
• CR2032 210mAh battery

Features:

Puck.js has various sensors for different purposes and various kinds of output components. It can measure light, temperature, magnetic fields, and capacitance. This beacon also can control Infrared remote devices, produce any color light using RGB LED, and has a tactile switch that turns the Puck into one big button.

The Magnetometer on Puck.js is a digital compass. You can measure its orientation about the earth’s magnetic field in 3 dimensions. It can also detect a magnet nearby and measures the magnetic field.

Puck also has the Web Bluetooth feature that enables controlling it from a web page wirelessly. The website simply sends the JavaScript code directly to the Puck, and it’ll be executed. Another excellent feature of Puck.js is internet accessibility. Espruino contains TCP/IP and HTTP client and servers (including WebSockets). With a suitable Bluetooth LE to the Internet Gateway, you’ll be able to put your Puck on the web!

The story doesn’t end here. Compared to other smart beacons, Puck.js has much more features that make it unbeatable. Open Source hardware and software is one of them. Go here to get a complete list of all features.

Conclusion:

Puck is an outstanding product. It has tons of booming features in a small package, yet easy to program. Anyone can get started with this amazing device within seconds. You can get it at £28 from this Kickstarter link. Also watch this video from Kickstarter campaign or the below video by Adafruit.com for a better understanding.

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