Want to make something spooky this Halloween? Want to scare your friends, family and pedestrians? Gather round adults and kids. We are going to make a Jack-o-lantern, one that can sense when people are near, lure them in, then BOOO, scare them!

This Jack-o-lantern can see how far you are, calls you to come closer and then.... BOOO!

You will use an Arduino, LEDs, Distance Sensor and Sound system to help your Jack-o-lantern become possessed. From there you can customise your lantern to make it your own.

Part need to be prepared:

Jack-o-lantern

Arduino UNO

Jumper wires

LED strip WS2812B / Neopixel

Distance sensor XC3735 or XC4442

Sound module XC3748

Speaker AS3000

Mircro SD Card reader XC4740

Power bank MB3810

Spare USB cable WC7724

Step 1: Wire It Up

After collecting the parts, wire them up as seen below. Note that they all tie back to an external USB supply. We use this to supply enough power when everything is connected. The external jack can be a USB cord that you have cut and use the red/black wires.

In this edition the audio board is the JayCar XC3748

Step 2: Prepare SD Card

Format the SD card as FAT32 (google for this, just ensure you target the SD card)

Create a folder called 01

Place those files into the folder

   001-snore.mp3 Download

   002-wake.mp3 Download

   003-hellocloser.mp3 Download

   004-evencloser.mp3 Download

   005-boolaugh.mp3 Download

Insert the SD card into the Audio Player

At a later date you can modify these files. Note that they are referenced by the number 001, 002 003 etc, the -snore etc is just for humans to read it. You will notice in the code there is a reference to files by numbers.

Step 3: Install Libraries for Arduino

We need the Adafruit NeoPixel and MD_YX5300 libraries

In Arduino, using the menu at the top, go to: Tools > Manage Libraries

Type "neopixel" in the top right search. Then click install on the one seen below

Connect your Arduino board via USB to your computer. Its light should turn on.

Step 4. Arduino code

In the Arduino IDE, Select your board, it should be an Arduino UNO MENU > TOOLS > BOARD > Arduino AVR > Arduino Uno

Select the Port your Arduino is connected to, you will know it because it appears/disappears when you connect/disconnect your Arduino. MENU > TOOLS > PORT > select your device

Upload the code by using the Upload button or in the menu, MENU > TOOLS > SKETCH > UPLOAD

Code can be download here

Step 5. Test and Scare Yourself

Step back, see that it works as expected. BOO! HAHAHAaAaaaaa

Step 6. Install into your Jack-O-Lantern

CAREFULLY, cut it open. Always cut AWAY from yourself to avoid injury.

Place your components into the Jack-O-Lantern

Place the LEDs so that they can be seen externally

Face the speaker so that the sound is projected out of the face of the lantern

Place the distance sensor to face forward out of the nose or mouth of the lantern

Run the External USB power cord out of the lantern

Re-seal the lantern after you have tested your spooky creation. A good idea is to make is to make it easy to access the Arduino's USB port so that you can make adjustments.

Step 7. Finish works

Congrats, I'm so glad you got to this point. One more crazy Jack-o-lantern and so much more Halloween festivities.