About

Ahoy!

Come build your own state-of-the-art electromechanical ferry-tracking apparatus: FerryClock; a self-setting analog wall clock with additional dials + lights to indicate the real-time position, heading, and docking status of the two Bainbridge-Seattle ferry boats. It should prove ferry useful in your own home. Additional routes coming soon…

From a kit, we will together assemble, wire and solder the gadgets. At home, you will ‘launch’ your FerryClock by connecting it to your wireless network (internet). The kit includes everything you’ll need: laser-cut parts, motors, lights, wires, hardware, microcontroller + usb cable, ‘atomic’ clock mechanism + hands, literature, battery :–)

How It Works:

A proprietary algorithm (conceived by a member of the BIHS robotics team) running in the ‘cloud’ (on our server) continually compares the up-to-the-minute (every 15s) latitude/longitude (GPS) location of a real ferryboat (via the WSF API) against a reference path to generate a precise sailing progress value. A small, Arduino-compatible microcontroller within FerryClock connects to the FERRY TEMPO server over WiFi to receive fresh data (Input!), controlling the lights and motors accordingly.

The code is open source, and you can learn more/download/contribute here.

Note: 

 • Requires a wireless internet connection to operate.

 • No previous soldering skills required. Good eyesight/glasses and steady hands are helpful.

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Materials Fee: $95

All profits from the kit directly supports Ferries Over Winslow, a local non-profit organization of volunteers working to bring a large-scale mechanical representation of real-time ferry crossings to downtown Bainbridge Island.

Skill Level: Universal

Ages: Ages 14+ Welcome

Instructor Bio: Matt Carrigis a multi-disciplinary designer.