Michael Ries on Creating an Automated Glider with Nerves and Elixir

Michael Ries presents a unique project integrating Elixir's Nerves platform with hardware to build an automated glider. He starts by explaining the problem with paper airplanes' inability to maintain a steady course and proposes a solution using Nerves as a 'pilot' alongside inertial measurement sensors. These sensors can detect an airplane's 3D spatial orientation, and through a Nerves project, one can communicate with them to adjust the airplane's flight. Ries describes the technical setup, including using a Raspberry Pi Zero and the relevant sensor, and explains how they interact via the I2C protocol. To address the airplane's steering, he wrote code that adjusts the rudder based on the airplane's deviation from the desired heading. After several iterations and testing sessions with his children, who were actively involved in the troubleshooting process, Ries reached a satisfactory outcome. He showed how one could use Elixir and Nerves to bridge the gap between software and the physical world, thus making hardware projects more approachable and fun. The demonstration, despite some hiccups, illustrated the potential of hobbyist projects in engaging with both children and technology enthusiasts.