The World of COLOR Using Arduino
The World of COLOR is an Arduino based physical computing project that detects the color of real world objects and translates that input into RGB LED output. Using a TCS3200 color sensor, Arduino Uno, RGB LED, and potentiometer, the system responds to colored paper by lighting up in the detected color while allowing users to control brightness.
Project Description, My Role, and Outcome
The World of COLOR was an exploratory Arduino project focused on building my skills in physical computing, basic Arduino coding, sensor calibration, and interactive electronics. The goal was to create a functional system that could detect color through a sensor, process that data through Arduino code, and transform it into visible light through an RGB LED.
The project used a TCS3200 color sensor to measure reflected light from colored objects. Instead of directly identifying colors, the sensor outputs raw pulse values that had to be interpreted through code. This required me to write, test, and revise Arduino code that could read sensor values, compare them to programmed ranges, and trigger the correct LED response. Early versions of the code used a more complex detection method, but I later simplified the logic into range based detection so the system was easier to understand, edit, and debug.
A potentiometer was added to create a more interactive experience. By reading analog values from the potentiometer, the Arduino code adjusted the brightness of the RGB LED using pulse width modulation. The potentiometer also worked as an on and off control, giving the user more control over the system. Because black cannot be displayed through RGB light, I coded a separate LED response that turns on when black is detected, creating a clear output state for that color.
My role included concept development, circuit building, Arduino coding, sensor testing, calibration, debugging, and interaction refinement. This project helped me strengthen my understanding of basic Arduino programming concepts, including digital and analog inputs, conditional logic, output control, value mapping, and troubleshooting through repeated testing.
The final outcome was a working interactive color detection system. When colored paper is placed in front of the sensor, the Arduino reads the values, identifies the color within a programmed range, and updates the LED output in real time. The project strengthened both my technical and creative skills by showing how code, circuits, and physical interaction work together to create responsive systems.
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