🎡
🎡

Wheel Diameter

1.2m (4 feet)

💡

LED Matrix

32×32 RGB (1024)

🎮

Games

Pong + Tetris

🔄

Rotation Speed

0-12 RPM Variable

⚡

Power

120W (5V 24A)

👥

Players

Up to 4 Concurrent

Ping-ris Wheel

An Interactive LED Ferris Wheel Gaming Platform Combining Pong & Tetris

🎯 Project Overview

The Ping-ris Wheel is a unique interactive art installation that transforms a 1.2-meter diameter Ferris wheel into a dynamic gaming platform. By mounting a 32×32 RGB LED matrix display on the rotating structure and implementing real-time game physics that account for rotation and gravity, this project creates an engaging multiplayer gaming experience unlike traditional flat-screen displays.

The name "Ping-ris" combines Pong (the classic arcade game) and Tetris, as the platform supports both games with physics adjusted for the circular, rotating display. Players control their games using wireless controllers while the wheel rotates, creating a challenging and visually spectacular experience. The project showcases integration of mechanical design, LED matrix control, real-time embedded programming, and game physics adaptation.

📸 Project Gallery

Explore the complete design and build process of the Ping-ris Wheel—from structural fabrication to LED integration and game development.

🎡 Design, Build & Interactive Gameplay

Interactive gallery showcasing the mechanical structure, electronics integration, game programming, and public demonstration.

⚡ My Contributions

🔧 Mechanical Design & Structural Fabrication

Designed and built the entire Ferris wheel structure from raw materials to working installation.

  • Designed 1.2m diameter Ferris wheel structure with six-spoke radial layout providing gondola mounting points at 60° intervals.
  • Fabricated rim from curved steel tubing sections TIG-welded with precision jigs to maintain true circular geometry.
  • Machined custom aluminum hub providing central mounting point, motor attachment, and slip-ring electrical connection for rotating components.
  • Balanced entire structure by strategically positioning counterweights opposite LED matrix and electronics to minimize vibration at operating speeds.

💡 LED Matrix Integration & Power Distribution

Engineered the complete LED display system with power management for 1024 addressable RGB LEDs.

  • Integrated four 16×16 WS2812B LED matrix panels into unified 32×32 display with custom mounting frame and frosted diffuser.
  • Designed power distribution system with multiple parallel injection points handling peak currents of 60A at 5V without voltage drop.
  • Implemented brightness limiting and current monitoring to prevent power supply overload during peak usage scenarios.
  • Created LED driver interface using Teensy 4.1 with FastLED library achieving 120 FPS refresh rates for smooth animation.

💻 Game Development & Physics Programming

Programmed rotation-aware game engines adapting classic arcade physics to rotating reference frame.

  • Developed Pong game engine accounting for Coriolis effects in rotating frame—implemented coordinate transformations between inertial and rotating reference frames.
  • Created Tetris game engine with dynamic gravity vector that adjusts based on wheel orientation using encoder position feedback.
  • Programmed 60 FPS game logic independent of display refresh to ensure consistent physics across variable rotation speeds.
  • Implemented difficulty scaling algorithms where gameplay challenge increases with wheel rotation speed, creating dynamic competitive environment.

🎮 Wireless Controller System & Multiplayer Infrastructure

Designed and built complete wireless controller system supporting 4-player simultaneous gameplay.

  • Designed custom wireless controllers with joysticks, buttons, status LEDs, and rechargeable batteries providing 8+ hours operation.
  • Implemented low-latency 2.4 GHz RF communication protocol (1000 Hz polling) using nRF24L01+ modules for responsive controls.
  • Created controller pairing system with automatic device recognition and hot-swap capability allowing join/leave without gameplay interruption.
  • Designed and 3D printed ergonomic controller enclosures with rubberized grips optimized for extended play sessions.

🔬 Testing, Public Demonstration & User Experience

Conducted extensive testing and public demonstrations to refine gameplay and validate user engagement.

  • Performed mechanical stress testing at various rotation speeds to validate structural integrity and identify resonant frequencies.
  • Conducted user experience testing with 500+ players across multiple public demonstrations at campus events.
  • Analyzed player learning curves and difficulty progression, implementing tutorial modes and difficulty adjustments based on feedback.
  • Documented installation setup procedures and maintenance requirements for reliable operation across multiple deployment locations.

💡 Design Journey

From arcade classics to rotating reality - the evolution of an interactive LED gaming platform

01
💡

Concept Development & Physics Analysis

Concept Design Physics Modeling Rotating Frames Feasibility Study

💡 Key Insight: Initial concept simply displayed static images on a rotating LED matrix. However, analyzing the physics revealed that with position tracking, we could create games where the rotation itself becomes part of the gameplay mechanics. Realizing that gravity direction (from the player's perspective) changes continuously as the wheel rotates led to the breakthrough idea of implementing rotation-aware game physics where the challenge scales with rotation speed. This transformed the concept from passive art installation into interactive gaming platform.

02
🔧

Structural Design & Fabrication

Steel Fabrication Welding Load Analysis Balancing

💡 Key Insight: First structural prototype used a four-spoke design which proved insufficient—the structure flexed noticeably during rotation causing LED matrix misalignment. Switching to six spokes dramatically improved rigidity with minimal weight penalty. More critically, initial assembly had severe vibration at 8 RPM—discovered this was due to LED matrix weight creating imbalance. Solving this required strategic placement of battery packs and electronics as counterweights, followed by dynamic balancing with the wheel spinning. The final balanced structure runs smoothly across entire 0-12 RPM range.

03
💡

LED Matrix Integration & Power Management

WS2812B LEDs Power Distribution Current Management FastLED Library

💡 Key Insight: Initial LED wiring used single power injection point at corner—this caused severe brightness fall-off across the matrix and warm LEDs at the far end. Measuring voltage revealed 0.8V drop across 1 meter of power bus at 15A. Solution required multiple power injection points (one per 16×16 panel) with heavy gauge wire (12 AWG) forming a power distribution grid. Additionally, discovered that enabling all LEDs at full white would draw 60A—way beyond power supply capacity. Implemented intelligent brightness limiting that monitors total current draw and dynamically adjusts per-pixel brightness to stay within 24A limit while maintaining good visual appearance.

04
🎮

Game Physics & Rotation-Aware Algorithms

C++ Programming Coordinate Transforms Real-time Systems Game Logic

💡 Key Insight: First Pong implementation simply drew the game on rotating display—but ball trajectory looked wrong, it curved unnaturally. The issue: wasn't accounting for the rotating reference frame. Ball moves in straight lines in inertial frame, but appears to curve when viewed from rotating frame (Coriolis effect). Solution required implementing dual coordinate systems: calculating physics in inertial frame, then transforming to rotating frame for display. For Tetris, the big challenge was dynamically rotating gravity—tried applying gravity relative to wheel position but pieces moved erratically during fast rotation. Final solution: smooth gravity vector interpolation that gradually rotates as wheel turns, giving players predictable piece motion even at 12 RPM.

05
🕹️

Wireless Controllers & Multiplayer System

RF Communication nRF24L01+ Protocol Design 3D Printing

💡 Key Insight: Initial controller design used Bluetooth for simplicity—but Bluetooth latency (50-100ms) made gameplay feel sluggish, especially during fast wheel rotation where input timing is critical. Switching to 2.4 GHz RF with nRF24L01+ modules reduced latency to <5ms, dramatically improving responsiveness. However, discovered packet loss issues when multiple controllers transmitted simultaneously. Solution: implemented time-division multiplexing where each controller transmits in designated time slots, coordinated by base station. This eliminated collisions while maintaining low latency. Also learned that ergonomic controller design matters—early 3D printed enclosures were uncomfortable for extended play; final iteration includes rounded edges, rubberized grips, and thumb-rest contouring based on user feedback.

06
🌟

User Testing & Public Demonstrations

User Experience Public Installation Feedback Analysis Feature Iteration

💡 Key Insight: Public demonstrations revealed surprising user behavior: first-time players struggled significantly more than expected with the rotating gameplay, often taking 2-3 minutes before understanding how gravity direction changes. This led to implementing an interactive tutorial mode that slows rotation initially and uses on-screen arrows showing current gravity direction. Also discovered that spectators found it difficult to follow gameplay from ground level—added large score displays and player indicators that remain readable from any viewing angle. Most valuable feedback: players wanted competitive modes with escalating difficulty. Implemented "rally mode" for Pong where rotation speed increases with each successful hit, and "survival mode" for Tetris where gravity strength increases over time. These modes dramatically increased engagement and replayability.