Workshop – Physical Computing for Web Developers

In this workshop, web developers will discover how they can leverage their existing web stack knowledge to interact with the good old analog world. They will learn how to use JavaScript to process data gathered by sensors and how to use that data to act upon the real, physical world.

Web developers have most of the knowledge and skills necessary to get into physical computing. The only things missing are a bit of software knowledge (NW.js & Johnny-Five) and a bit of hardware knowledge (microcontrollers & sensors). This is what this workshop will provide. In essence, the goal is to show web developers a cheap and easy path for them to get into physical computing.

At the end of the workshop, you will know enough to explore and use sensors (distance, movement, pressure, rotation, etc.) and actuators (motors, lights, etc.). Hopefully, this workshop will also reignite your passion for HTML, CSS and JavaScript by showing you exciting news ways in which these technologies can be used today.
Bonus: attendees get to keep all the workshop hardware so they can continue to experiment on their own. This starter kit includes an Arduino-compatible microcontroller, touch shield, piezo buzzer, distance sensor, buttons, LEDs and more (60$ value).

The time has finally come to break out of the browser’s security sandbox!

OBJECTIVE

Learn to use HTML, CSS and JavaScript to interact with the physical world.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Web Developers (and anybody comfortable with HTML, CSS and JavaScript)

ASSUMED AUDIENCE KNOWLEDGE

Attendees must have a good knowledge of HTML, CSS and JavaScript. No electronics knowledge is required. You must bring your own Mac, Windows or Linux laptop with USB port.

Five things audience members will learn

1. How to create a cross-platform desktop application from HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
2. How to leverage your JavaScript skills to interact with a microcontroller.
3. How to gather information from the physical world.
4. How to control external devices (such as lights or motors).
5. How to bring back some excitement to your web development routine!

Instructor - Jean-Philippe Côté
Lecturer & Creative Technologist, TangibleJS

In his first life, which started at the early dawn of the web, Jean-Philippe Côté was an award-winning web developer and internet nerd. In his second life as an educator, he makes a habit of pushing the boundaries of what technology can do and invites his students to do the same. In that spirit, his latest adventure is the creation of TangibleJS.com. Through this website, he explores the ways in which web technologies can break out of their supermax browser prison and shape the tangible, physical world. The time has come for interfaces to go beyond flat, rectangular, glassy surfaces.

He holds a Master’s degree in Communication with a concentration in Experimental Media. He currently is a professor with the Multimedia Department of Edouard-Montpetit College. He gives back to the community through various open source projects and is currently working on a book targeted at web developers eager to discover physical computing.