RFID Cauldron

    This is an interactive prop for the critically acclaimed escape room, “Before Moonrise,” at Escape New Haven. Players add different “ingredients” (with embedded RFID tags) to the cauldron while pumping a real pneumatic bellows to “brew a magic potion.” This triggers lighting and sound effects on the cauldron, and also sends signals to other devices in the room to advance players to the next phase of the game.

Tools used

• Arduino IDE
• Laser cutter
• Table saw
• Chop saw
• Jigsaw
• Pneumatic nail gun
• Soldering station
• Drilling & tapping kit

Technologies implemented

• Arduino
• RFID reader
• WS2812 addressable LED strip
• Pneumatic pressure sensor
• Code available on github

Product function

• Detect when certain objects are placed in the input slot.
• Detect when air pressure reaches a certain threshold.
• Detect lever press.
• When certain conditions are met, display different light and sound effects.
• When one particular condition is met, communicate to different devices that this puzzle has been solved.