When we want to click on something we use the mouse... but what if it were a banana? Or a spoon? Or any other thing within reach? The idea is absurd; however, that is exactly what the Makey Makey Go interface lets us do. For the computer it is just another keyboard or mouse, but with the right connections, even the strangest object becomes a compatible button for a wide range of applications.
The saying goes that curiosity killed the cat... and also turned the child into an engineer, architect, designer, or programmer. Logic teaches us the rules, but creativity seeks to break them at every step. Personally, I remember that the best part of having a chemistry set when I was little was not accessing fabulous experiments, but starting to disobey them. Heating a sealed test tube was an explosive experience, and I can swear I'm still looking for that cork... Now, let's move that line of thought to electronics. The Web offers us a huge number of circuits to practice, but I'm convinced that everyone needs to smell a burned chip, or witness a power supply deciding to burst into flames. Experimenting is a fundamental piece of learning, and when a device can turn a banana into a button, I'm automatically on its side.
This is the Makey Makey Go, a simpler version of the classic Makey Makey, which lets us transform anything into a gamepad. The computer detects the Makey Makey Go as if it were a conventional keyboard or mouse, but imagination is the limit. The chosen object needs to conduct a minimal amount of electricity, which probably leaves some items off the list; however, there is plenty of material to work with. The example of gelatin as a control for Flappy Bird is undoubtedly fabulous, although I fear for the integrity and hygiene of the area when the bird decides to commit suicide and the player's fist falls furiously on the gelatin...
Makey Makey Go appeared yesterday on Kickstarter, and only needed a few hours to comfortably surpass its $10,000 mark. Each Makey Makey Go costs $19, and shipping is worldwide. The only limit for Makey Makey Go is the number of USB ports on your computer, but if you want to use more than one, there's no problem. If all goes well, first deliveries will take place in November.
