LED dance floor craze spreads to Washington U.

We don't expect to see engineering students in every college emulating the pioneering work of MIT's students in developing an LED dance floor that would make Travolta proud — well, actually, we do. You guys may be nerds, but that doesn't mean you can't show the kewl kids a thing or two, right? So, we're pleased to see that Washington University's engineering students have an LED dance floor team, and are gearing up to unveil the results of their hard work at a school dance this Saturday. The WU floor matches MIT's specs, with 1,536 LEDs, capable of 4,096 colors. One nice touch is the ability to control the floor wirelessly, which tops the USB-based controller used by MIT's team. Party on, dudes.

[Via The Raw Feed]

[dj @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

hmm...what are the striking benefits of being able to control a huge, stationarily used, externally powered object wirelessly?

it's a nice touch yea, but no offence, that was all the improvements they could think of?

[Jennifer Silversteinberg @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I HATE THESE THINGS THEY REMIND ME OF FURBY DOLLS!

[Revrant @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Oh Jeeb, I hope people don't B*tch about this "word" now, the idea is interesting though, if, high tech.

[Robert @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

So, is this Washington University in St. Louis, Washington State University, or the University of Washington?

Cool floor though.

[Peter @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

hmm...what are the striking benefits of being able to control a huge, stationarily used, externally powered object wirelessly?
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duh, so you can dance on the dancefloor 'WHILE' controlling it.

[spick @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I find my 'wireless' tv remote completely useless too. And the one for my stereo. And my wireless xbox controller. All useless. :P

[Fredric @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

YES!! I am a graduate of WASH U Engineering!! Harvard of the Midwest Baby!!

Heh...heh...

Alllllllllllriiiiigggggggghhhhhhhtttttt.

[Gordy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Come on, not one reference to Billie Jean? I've waited for this type of flooring for years! I'll have to visit once, just to live out a childhood fantasy.

[eegeek @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Actually, they're just using the hardware developed by the MIT students. I think "wireless control" just means that it can be controlled over a network connection... SSH forwarding anyone?

There's a similar project (also using the MIT hardware) here:
http://www.betterthaneveryone.com

[Morwan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Woah, we made Engadget.

If I didn't have exams next week, I would've gone.

[b @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Great. The return of Disco.

[Pehr Hovey @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

The benefit to wireless is that our event (vertigo) is located in a four story tall "gallery" with a staircase going up the side. The floor is located on the ground the DJ is on the second floor stair balcony/landing and the dance floor controller is on the third floor landing. This way they have a top-down view of the floor and everyone one it and can make sure it looks good. Wireless just makes the distance easier to span (no cable to run).