Awesome Dot Matrix

Govee specializes in RGB LED light kits. Their curtain lights can display patterns on a grid of 520 teardrop-shaped light beads. The Govee mobile app includes more than 80 scene presets, music sync, and the ability to upload animated GIFs. They’re also rated IP65 waterproof so that you can use them outside. Chris Maher’s in-depth review shows them in action.

Words and images that appear on road markings are typically applied by crews using stencils. This innovative machine from Belarus company STiM, utilizes a set of nozzles that spray dots of thermoplastic to create long-lasting road markings in a fraction of the time of hand-painted designs. Their pattern also adds traction and is easier to see in bad weather.

Are people always walking up to your desk and talking in the middle of your work? The Busy Bar lets people know how long you’re tied up for. Its dot-matrix LED display can show a countdown timer, messages, emoji, and custom programs via an open-source API and SDK. It has easy-to-use controls and includes a wall mount and monitor mount.

The SolidPixels Tetra is a desktop gadget that can display colorful animated images and data on a 64×32 RGB LED grid. It connects via wi-fi to update real-time information like stocks, news, sports scores, weather, and more. It works with a companion mobile app to select and configure its apps. Launches 10.15.24 on Kickstarter with three sizes available.

Machenike’s latest mechanical keyboard features a customizable LED matrix at its top that can display animations. It features a compact 84-key layout with quality Gateron switches and see-through keycaps with colorful RGB backlighting. It’s also got a volume dial and a small LCD TFT screen that can show a clock and configuration details.

This unique tabletop display uses the natural properties of moss to improve air quality. Mingled with its plants is a grid of LED-backed tubes that can display the time and animations while providing light to help the moss flourish. It’s also a Bluetooth speaker and alarm clock, and its smart sprayer triggers images and sound effects. From the makers of the Moss Air.

Maker Ivan Miranda wanted to build a mechanical clock that uses marbles to show the time. He created an elevator that lifts marbles and drops them into a track. He used light sensors to detect white marbles and solenoids to release the right ones to display dot-matrix digits. It’s a work in progress, but it’s already impressive. Watch part one of the build here.

Ryder Calm Down loves to make things. Inspired by how dot-matrix printers lay down ink, he built an oversized print head that attaches to the back of his pickup truck and sprays out water droplets at the right time to create letters and numbers. The system uses a Raspberry Pi to control relays and solenoids that open and close valves.

The Tidbyt is a desktop screen that can display a variety of useful information on a grid of colorful LED dots. It has a large library of apps including clocks, weather, stocks, news, sports scores, animations, and more. Built on an open ecosystem, you can create your own custom apps, or even flash the firmware for custom projects.

Dot-matrix displays are typically made using LEDs or LCDs mounted directly at the location of each dot. Elliot Made created this unique and fascinating display using a grid of LEDs mounted a short distance away, then channels light to each dot using fiber optics. It can display text, digits, animations, and also works as a clock.