## What Does It Do? **The Coqui: a simple device to read a sensor via an audible tone.** We're exploring using audio frequencies to convey sensor readings -- like a modem, but even simpler -- in order to make sensor readings more accessible for people (or to enable data transmission over ubiquitous audio jacks on PCs and smartphones). ## Latest version The [latest and simplest version of the Coqui](/notes/warren/03-01-2019/build-a-sound-generating-coqui-conductivity-sensor) can be seen in the following images. This version differs from [the previous](/notes/ashkaya/09-17-2016/build-a-coqui-a-simple-water-conductivity-sensor) in a few ways: * smaller, cheaper circuitboard (breadboard) * fewer wires * flatter wires which make it easier to see the circuit However, the circuit is fundamentally the same! Click these images to enlarge: [![IMG_20190123_111639_270.jpg](/i/28988?size=medium)](/i/28988?size=original) [![IMG_20190118_205609_421.jpg](/i/32338?s=m)](/i/32338?s=o) ## Assemble the Coqui Here are a few guides to building different versions of the Coqui: [notes:grid:activity:coqui] ## Coqui versions The Coqui has been refined, remixed, and modified plenty over the years. [activities:coqui-version] ## Modify the Coqui [activities:coqui-mods] ## Do something with the Coqui Once you've built a Coqui, here are a few things you can do with it: [notes:grid:activity:coqui-usage] Add an activity or request an activity guide you don't see listed **** ## Frequently Asked Questions [questions:coqui] **** [![coquibb.JPG](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/007/410/medium/coquibb.JPG)](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/007/410/original/coquibb.JPG) A Coqui is a simple, inexpensive, open source device that generates an audible tone that is based on any electric resistance-based measurement. For example, a Coqui can measure: * conductivity of liquids * temperature * ambient light ## Build a Coqui Instructions on the breadboard-based "BBv1.0" edition of the Coqui can be found here: http://publiclab.org/notes/donblair/09-30-2014/coqui-bbv1-0 ### Notes - The github repo for a more permanent printed circuit board version of the coqui is [here](https://github.com/OpenWaterProject/coqui) The Coquí is a circuit that allows you to 'hear' the readings from various sensors. Once the Coquí is assembled, you'll be able to 'hear' the conductivity of a solution, the temperature of a room, or the color of a pH test strip. The design was named (onomatopeically) after the several species of small frogs which have a loud, distinctive call at night. ### Demo Coqui applications - [Testing the conductivity of a solution](http://publiclab.org/notes/donblair/09-30-2014/coqui-bbv1-0-testing-conductivity-of-a-solution): - [Reacting to an LED with sound](http://publiclab.org/notes/donblair/09-30-2014/coqui-bbv1-0-reacting-to-an-led-with-sound): - [Assessing ambient light levels](http://publiclab.org/notes/donblair/09-30-2014/coqui-bbv1-0-assessing-ambient-light-with-a-photoresistor): - [Assessing temperature with a thermistor](http://publiclab.org/notes/donblair/09-30-2014/coqui-bbv1-0-using-a-thermistor-as-a-temperature-probe): - [Sending water quality voicemails with a coqui using vojo.com](http://publiclab.org/notes/donblair/09-10-2014/water-quality-coqui-voicemails): [![water-vmail.png](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/007/409/medium/water-vmail.png)](http://publiclab.org/notes/donblair/09-10-2014/water-quality-coqui-voicemails) ### Building your own Coqui - [Coqui BBv1.0](http://publiclab.org/notes/donblair/09-30-2014/coqui-bbv1-0): a breadboarded version of the Coqui ### Building Coqui sensors - Making a conductivity probe from a [bottle cap and two metal screws](http://publiclab.org/notes/donblair/09-30-2014/making-a-diy-conductivity-probe-from-a-water-bottle-and-metal-screws) ## Parts list See the initial parts list here: #13459 and #11209 for a DigiKey shopping cart link at $19 per kit. And @kanarinka mentions: > there are a couple other things that are helpful to have that are not shown (like the probe made from the top of a water bottle with two screws in it and alligator clips to attach that to the breadboard) Scans of an invoice from DigiKey: [![Screenshot_2018-02-28_at_9.59.17_AM.png](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/023/760/large/Screenshot_2018-02-28_at_9.59.17_AM.png)](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/023/760/original/Screenshot_2018-02-28_at_9.59.17_AM.png) [![Screenshot_2018-02-28_at_9.59.46_AM.png](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/023/761/large/Screenshot_2018-02-28_at_9.59.46_AM.png)](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/023/761/original/Screenshot_2018-02-28_at_9.59.46_AM.png) ...
Author | Comment | Last activity | Moderation | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
pdhixenbaugh | "@kgradow1 I'm having trouble finding the coqui activity grid. Could you link to it? " | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
kgradow1 | "Accidentally posted this on the coqui activity grid and looks like I can't remove it. Help? " | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
kanarinka | "Thanks @warren! @kgradow1 - this is a great suggestion for improvement as I've also had that happen. How about @akshaya and I will make a digikey s..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
kgradow1 | "This is a great overview! One suggested edit: Include an explanation of how component variability might impact the circuit. I've tried to build th..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
warren | "Hi, I reposted this from https://publiclab.org/wiki/coqui-a-simple-water-conductivity-sensor -- to make it into an activity that can be featured in..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
donblair | "Hi Rebeccah! Fantastic stuff here. Lots to digest, and I have several thoughts -- but first, quickly: the frequency output of the Coqui requires..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
cfastie | "Hi Rebeccah, Just in case this can explain the problems when using the proto board, are you aware that the proto board for the Riffle has its pins..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
pdhixenbaugh | "Hello Rebeccah! I'm interested in replicating this experiment! The biggest thing I am unsure about is the code - can you link to the riffle code yo..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
warren | "Hi, Rebeccah -- looks like your lead image didn't work -- maybe try again, or email it to web@publiclab.org if you can't get it to upload? I'm int..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
liz | "Here's a report back (including video!) from a workshop led by John Keefe in August 2015 http://johnkeefe.net/make-every-week-audible-water-sensor " | Read more » | over 8 years ago | |||
cfastie | "For $25 that hydro generator has got to be a good thing. It is an impartial solution for my spring house because it can't freeze (operating range 4..." | Read more » | over 8 years ago | |||
donblair | "Oh, exciting ... it'd be fun to demonstrate anything powered by moving water. Maybe this thingy should be ordered immediately. A visit ASAP sound..." | Read more » | over 8 years ago | |||
cfastie | "That hydro generator says it needs 3 liters per minute, which we have. Sorry about revealing your irrelevance. Also, we wouldn't need the internet..." | Read more » | over 8 years ago | |||
donblair | "Exactly. Was confusing for me, too, as I'd been nursing a rather fixed mental picture of a parallel plate capacitor with a dielectric slab sandwic..." | Read more » | over 8 years ago | |||
cfastie | "Why does this work when the two wires (the extension cord) are insulated? It must be that the electric field extends outside the wires into the wat..." | Read more » | over 8 years ago | |||
donblair | "This sounds like it might prompt a PVOS research trip up to Bernie Country ... I need to write up a research note, but here's the basic idea (cour..." | Read more » | over 8 years ago | |||
cfastie | "Don have you described somewhere how in the world this thing measures water depth? I need this and I discovered today that my spring house up in th..." | Read more » | over 8 years ago | |||
donblair | "Hi @gretchengehrke :) I'd never really testing it very thoroughly, and I haven't done sufficient background research to know if the 555 approach I..." | Read more » | over 8 years ago | |||
gretchengehrke | "Hey Don -- How well does the depth feature work? @stevie and I were just talking about it, and are needing a reminder. :) " | Read more » | over 8 years ago | |||
liz | "@taramei check this out for your venus flytrap work in brackish water!!!!! " | Read more » | over 8 years ago | |||
pdhixenbaugh | "Other people have commented elsewhere how "trimmers" (capacitors with adjustable capacitance) exist, which would be a useful way to "tune" the soun..." | Read more » | almost 9 years ago | |||
liz | "Ok great, thank you for the feedback! My next workshop is a demo only, so the voltage / electrolysis issue won't matter in this case thank goodness..." | Read more » | almost 9 years ago | |||
donblair | "Hey Liz! Wow -- this looks great! Since this research note was originally posted, there are a few insights that have emerged: Silicone doesn't ..." | Read more » | almost 9 years ago | |||
liz | "So, I'm making 15 of these conductivity probes to go along with the Digikey order that makes 15 Coquis. Last night cut open 15 plastic bottles with..." | Read more » | almost 9 years ago |