Flick HAT: Gesture HAT for Raspberry Pi and 3D Tracking

Flick HAT allows you to control the Raspberry Pi computer magically. It utilizes technology that helps PCB sense gestures in 3D space up to 15cm away. Besides, it has enhanced features and complete software libraries, giving you an opportunity to explore more with Flick. Hence, we will learn more about Flick HAT, including its technical details, and explore projects you can do with Flick.  

What is Flick HAT?

Flick HAT is a gesticulation HAT and 3D tracking that allows you to control Raspberry. Once integrated into the Raspberry Pi project, it provides numerous ways of control. It provides play and plug functionality for various things such as controlling music systems, TV, computer, etc. besides, no soldering is needed when assembling since it’s supplied with Raspberry Pi's necessary fixings. Additionally, you can conceal your project within non-conductive material using near-field gesture technology while still using Flick. Its plug-and-play functionality lets you set up and run within seconds.  

Close-up of Raspberry Pi 4 Model-B, Raspberry Pi 3 Model-B, and Raspberry Pi Zero W on a laptop keyboard

 

Flick Hat Features

 

Flick Hat Technical Details

• Temperature range: - 20 °C to +85 °C
• Chip - MGC3130 3D Tracking
• Position Rate – 200 positions per second
• Detention range – up to 15cm in a normal setting
• Touch sensing and gesture sensing
• No detention blind spots
• Works through the Flick Hat case
• Low-power design
• Numerous available gestures, for example, swipe, tap, double-tap, touch, and air wheel
• Well-matched with Hillster Development Kit through USB on the computer

 

Oscilloscope probe on electronic circuit

 

How to Get the Flick HAT Board up and Running

Flick boards complement Raspberry Pi boards providing 3D tracking allowing you to regulate I2C-supported gadgets with your hands. Therefore, in this guide, we will demonstrate how to assemble flick boards by setting them with their cases and pointing out possible issues.  

Electronic circuit board with electronic components

 

Flick HAT Kit Contents

Inside the box, you will find the following kit contents;

• 2 Info cards
• 1 Flick HAT
• 3 Sticker Spacers
• 4 Plastic Spaces
• 8 Plastic bolts

Step 1: unpacking the Raspberry Pi

Green electronic board with wires and connection

  Step 2: Preparing the Pi Secondly, screw in the spacers with a PHO screwdriver. Accordingly, use the four plastic bolts underneath the Pi, ensuring you hold them together. Step 3: Prepare the Flick HAT Consequently, the next step involves removing the Flick HAT from the anti-static bag.  

Unwrapped anti-static package

  Step 4: Attach the Flick HAT Afterward, you need to fix the Flick HAT on the upper part of the Raspberry. You need to push the header until it clicks into place. Hence, push the female header gradually to the male header of the Raspberry Pi, ensuring it fits properly. Step 5: Screwing the Plastic Bolt Finally, you need to ensure that the Flick HAT is in place. Therefore, hold it by screwing in the remaining four plastic bolts. Meanwhile, your Flick HAT is ready for use.  

Assembling the Flick HAT Case

Step 1: Unhooking the Top The Flick HAT Case is an impeccable Flick HAT housing. Therefore, you need to remove the protective plastic bits to unhook the top. Gently pull out both sides of the bottom part and disconnect the top cover. Next, you will find four cups and four rubber feet on the inside. Step 2: Installing the Rubber Feet Subsequently, we need to install each rubber foot through the four holes at the case bottom. Besides, there are two ways of installing the rubber. First, you can twist and push them through or tuck in the top part of the feet within the hole. Again, with the second option, be cautious, ensuring you don’t cut through the feet. Step 3: Adding your Pi Towards the bottom part of the case, insert the Flick board and the Raspberry Pi by inserting the USB connectors. Also, ensure you align the PCBs of the two boards within the panel’s groves.    

Demonstration of slots for HDMI, headphones, and USB of a new camera

  Hence, after fitting them in, the Flick board and the Raspberry should sit at the bottom nicely. In addition, ensure they fully rotate into position. Nevertheless, if you wish to close the case, take away the knocks from panel 1. Or else take away knockouts from panel 2 if you wish to keep the case open. Note that you can only take away the knockout branded either “Power, “HDMI,” or “Headphones.” Step 4: Finishing Up We need to ensure the white panel's slot is back in. Hence, gently push out the sides of the bottom part. Meanwhile, you can use Flick HAT at this point.  

Flick HAT Projects

Raspberry Pi As Robotic Arm Controller with Flick HAT

Preparing the Pi

The most important thing is to prepare an SD card. You can either flash an image straightaway using equipment such as Etcher or use NOOBS. In addition, other parts of the projects are:

• Flick Board compatible with Pi
• Maplin Robotic Arm
• An SD card with an OS of your preference (we recommend Raspbian Jesse Full)
• Raspberry Pi A+, B+ or higher

Open the terminal session once the Raspbian boots up, proceed with this instruction; (Menu -> Accessories -> Terminal) - sudo raspi-config Afterward, enable the SSH Server and choose the interfacing options. In fact, the SSH server now runs on the Raspberry Pi. You can either install specified internet programs such as putty for windows or rely on readily available SSH clients. Besides, even if you use either Mac OS, Windows, or Linus, by simply using its mDNS, you can connect the Pi.  

SSH, secure shell protocol, and software

  Alternatively, you have to discover its IP address by running; ifconfig using the terminal window.   Execute the following commands;

Run the command below to install the flick Board;  

For the PyUsb library installation, then

Execute the following command to install the RobotArmControl program.   Finally, the installation process is complete.  

Control your Raspberry Pi Sense HAT using gestures with Flick

Specifically, the project will demonstrate how to structure a Raspberry Pi Sense HAT with Flick Large.       Connected to a power supply by USB 3.0 type C cord SBC budget microcomputer Raspberry Pi 4B.  

Project requirement

• Stacking header P/N 15455
• Flick Large
• Raspberry Pi Sense HAT
• Raspberry Pi 3B

 

Putting everything together

Of course, putting different boards together will require placing a more extended stacking header on the Raspberry Pi Sense HAT. Afterward, hook up the Flick Large, too, once it connects. Besides, the header connects with the Raspberry Pi Sense Hat. Once the header is in place, connect the Flick Large cable. Additionally, configure the OS, and after setting it up, install the Flick board’s code. Similarly, download and configure the code to get the needed script and library to run the demo. Also, run the script through the keyboard through an SSH session or your Raspberry Pi and monitor the plugged. The Sense HAT will now provide a clear display and also let you scroll the text. Finally, you will be able to test various gestures.  

Summary

To sum up, one significant benefit of Flick HAT is its Accessibility to optional cases for all three models. Besides, it has no soldering requirements as it has simple assembly, and it’s supplied with the necessary Raspberry Pi fixings. Moreover, the cases are non-conductive surfaces, as they don’t interfere with Flick's capability to track gestures. As a result, they let you control I2C-supported devices like magic.