What does this project do?

It lights up an LED when your hand is close to aluminium foil, acting as a touch-less switch.

What hardware is required?

Arduino Uno, an LED, a 200 ohm resistor, a 1 Mega ohm resistor, and aluminium foil.

What software is required?

The Capacitive Sensor Library needs to be unzipped and placed in the Arduino Library folder.

Which Arduino pins are used in the described circuit?

The LED and 220 ohm resistor connect to Pin 12 and ground; the 1 Mega ohm resistor is between Pin 2 and Pin 4; the aluminium foil connects to Pin 2.

Can I use other pins?

Yes, but you must update the pins in the code; the example recommends using the same pins to avoid code changes.

Does the foil need to be touched?

No, the sensor lights the LED when a hand is merely close to the aluminium foil without touching it.

Where should I put the Capacitive Sensor Library file?

Unzip the library file and place it inside the Arduino Library folder as described in the tutorial.

Make A Touch-less Switch Using Arduino

Contents hide

1 Summary of Make A Touch-less Switch Using Arduino

2 Arduino Project – Touch Me Not

3 Quick Solutions to Questions related to Touch Me Not:

Summary of Make A Touch-less Switch Using Arduino

Summary: This Arduino Touch Me Not project modifies the Starter Kit touch sensor lamp into a touch-less switch that lights an LED when a hand approaches aluminum foil. It uses a capacitive sensing library and simple components to detect proximity without contact, useful for contact-free control of lights or interfaces.

Parts used in the Touch Me Not:

Arduino Uno
LED (any color)
200 ohm resistor
1 Mega ohm resistor
Aluminium foil
Capacitive Sensor Library (software)

Arduino Project – Touch Me Not

I modified the Arduino project from the Arduino Starter Kit (Touch Sensor Lamp). Now it lights up an LED when your hand is close on the aluminium foil (without even touching it). This can be used as a ‘Touch-less Switch’. I just did it because it seemed pretty cool to me! How is this Arduino project useful? Let me know how you think this can be useful, in the comments below.

How does it work?

Things Required

1) Arduino Uno
2) 1 LED (any color)
3) A 200 ohm resistor
4) A 1 Mega ohm resistor
5) Aluminium Foil
6) Capacitive Sensor Library (Note: You need to unzip this file and put it inside the Arduino’s Library Folder. If you don’t know how to do that, you may this tutorial)

Build the Circuit

In the Circuit:

* The LED and the 220 ohm resistor are connected to Pin 12 on the Arduino (and of course to the Ground)
* The 1 Mega ohm resistor is connected between Pin 2 and 4.
* The Aluminium Foil is connected to Pin 2.

[If you want to use other Pins then don’t forget to change those pins in the code below. I suggest you use the same Pins as shown in the circuit figure above so that you don’t have to change anything in the code]

For more detail: Make A Touch-less Switch Using Arduino

Quick Solutions to Questions related to Touch Me Not:

What does this project do?
It lights up an LED when your hand is close to aluminium foil, acting as a touch-less switch.
What hardware is required?
Arduino Uno, an LED, a 200 ohm resistor, a 1 Mega ohm resistor, and aluminium foil.
What software is required?
The Capacitive Sensor Library needs to be unzipped and placed in the Arduino Library folder.
Which Arduino pins are used in the described circuit?
The LED and 220 ohm resistor connect to Pin 12 and ground; the 1 Mega ohm resistor is between Pin 2 and Pin 4; the aluminium foil connects to Pin 2.
Can I use other pins?
Yes, but you must update the pins in the code; the example recommends using the same pins to avoid code changes.
Does the foil need to be touched?
No, the sensor lights the LED when a hand is merely close to the aluminium foil without touching it.
Where should I put the Capacitive Sensor Library file?
Unzip the library file and place it inside the Arduino Library folder as described in the tutorial.