Put simply, this is the coolest dining table we’ve seen yet. It consists of 448 multicolored LEDs — controlled using a 16-node 1-D analog computer network — that respond to input (motion) generated above the table. Video demonstration after the jump. [via Flickr and MakeShoutIt]

From the article: “Each node has an amplified photodiode that senses changes in ambient light above its region of the table. An analog integrator (memory) averages that signal along with input from its neighbors, and the resulting signal is used to drive one of two strands of 14 LEDs (depending on polarity) with intensity that depends on the integrated value. Each node consists of one photodiode, one quad op-amp IC, nine resistors, and four capacitors that we hand-soldered onto a tiny piece of plain perfboard. We mounted the nodes to sheets of masonite pegboard, such that the output LEDs fit through the holes.”

Author

A technology, gadget and video game enthusiast that loves covering the latest industry news. Favorite trade show? Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.