The controller is a Chromatron wifi pixel controller. It will be released on Kickstarter in the coming weeks, more info here: chromatron.io
Chromatron uses a scripting language based on Python (called FX Script) to create the graphics pattern. This project uses a simple rainbow pattern:
# this script generates rolling rainbow pattern
# declare a global variable for current hue
current_hue = Number()
# init - runs once when script is loaded
def init():
# set pixels to full colors (maximum saturation)
pixels.sat = 1.0
# set to maximum brightness
pixels.val = 1.0
# runs periodically, frame rate is configurable
def loop():
# increment the base hue so the rainbow pattern
# shifts across the pixels
current_hue += 0.005
# declare a local variable
a = Number()
a = current_hue
# loop over all pixels in array
for i in pix_count():
pixels[i].hue = a
# shift color for next iteration
a += 1.0 / pix_count()
The LEDs are APA102, but pretty much anything else could be substituted.