About

FerryClock™ is a self-setting analog wall clock with additional dials and lights to indicate the real-time position, heading, and docking status of the two Bainbridge-Seattle ferryboats (additional routes coming soon). It should prove ferry useful in your own home. 

From a kit, we will assemble, wire, and solder the gadgets. At home, you will ‘launch’ your FerryClock™ by connecting it to your wireless network (internet). 

How does it work? A proprietary algorithm (conceived by a member of the Bainbridge High School robotics team the Spartronics) running in the cloud continually compares the up-to-the-minute (every 15 seconds) latitude/longitude (GPS) location of a real ferryboat (via the Washington State Ferries API) against a reference path to generate a precise sailing progress value. A small, Arduino-compatible microcontroller within FerryClock™ connects to the FERRY TEMPO server over WiFi to receive fresh data, controlling the lights and motors accordingly.

Details

A materials kit fee of $125 is included in the cost of the class. It includes  laser-cut parts, motors, lights, wires, hardware, microcontroller, USB cable, "atomic" clock mechanism, hands, battery, and literature.

Class Policies

• Ages 14 and up are welcome.