EchoMaze
Project by Biro Anya-Andreea, 332CA
Introduction
What is the project about?
EchoMaze is a sound-guided blind maze game developed using an Arduino Nano. The player moves through a hidden maze without any visual clues, relying solely on audio cues that indicate their proximity to the goal.
What is the project's purpose?
The purpose of this project is to explore how sound can be used as an alternative to visual navigation. It challenges the player to rely on hearing to make spatial decisions, while showcasing the creative potential of microcontroller features in unconventional, engaging ways.
What inspired the idea?
The idea started from classic logic and memory-based games like mazes and puzzles, but I wanted to remove the visual element to create a more immersive and unconventional challenge. The goal was to create something simple in concept, yet unusual and technically interesting to implement. It explores how people can interpret space and direction using only sound.
Why is this project useful?
This project is useful because it demonstrates how simple hardware can be used to create engaging, educational, and accessible experiences. It’s valuable for understanding sensory-based challenges and applying theoretical concepts like GPIO, timers, PWM, and I2C in a real-world embedded project.
Overview
Block Diagram
Description of Components
- Arduino Nano
- Runs the maze logic and manages input/output operations.
- Communicates with all other components to coordinate feedback and interaction.
- OLED Display
- Displays information such as game instructions, progress, or status messages.
- Connected to the Arduino Nano via I2C for efficient two-wire communication.
- Buzzer
- Provides audio cues that help the player navigate the maze based on proximity to the target.
- Controlled by the Arduino using a PWM signal to vary the pitch of the sound.
- Buttons
- Enable directional control (up, down, left, right) for navigating the maze.
- Each button is connected to a GPIO pin on the Arduino.
Hardware Design
Bill Of Materials
| Name | Quantity | Price per unit (lei) | Purchase link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arduino Nano | 1 | 24.99 | Link |
| OLED Display | 1 | 15.38 | Link |
| Buzzer | 1 | 0.99 | Link |
| Button | 4 | 0.36 | Link |
| Breadboard | 1 | 9.52 | Link |
| Jumper Wire Set | 1 | 7.99 | Link |
| USB Type-A to Mini-B cable | 1 | 4.37 | Link |
| Total price: 64.68 lei | |||
Additional components may be added later.
Schematic
Arduino Pin Configuration
| Name | Arduino Pin | Connection Description |
|---|---|---|
| Display - SDA | A4 | I2C data line |
| Display - SCL | A5 | I2C clock line |
| Buzzer | D6 | PWM-capable digital output |
| Button Down | D9 | User input – Down |
| Button Right | D10 | User input – Right |
| Button Left | D11 | User input – Left |
| Button Up | D12 | User input – Up |
Software Design
Development environment: PlatformIO with Visual Studio Code.
3rd-party libraries and sources used:
- Adafruit_SSD1306.h – used to control the OLED display (SSD1306 driver)
- Adafruit_GFX.h – core graphics library required by Adafruit_SSD1306
Algorithms and data structures planned:
- Maze representation using a 2D character array
- Implementation of player movement logic and collision detection
- Buzzer feedback based on distance map
The implemented functions are organized into the following categories:
- Display: OLED init, message display, maze rendering (work in progress)
- Movement: Player navigation logic and collision detection
- Input/Output: Button reading, LED toggling, GPIO init
Final results
Download
Resources
Resurse Software
Resurse Hardware
