Project Detail

Haunted House Control Systems

Distributed show control for lighting, audio, sensors, and live effects.

Python ESP32 Arduino Automation Audio/Video Electrical Systems

Overview

Designed and built large-scale haunted attractions integrating Arduino, Esp32, Python, electrical and pneumatic systems.

Created a modular control framework for synchronized lighting, audio, and animatronics.

Created an Esp-32 system that allows for wireless motion sensors and buttons that communicate in real-time with the python program.

Experience in python creating multithreaded systems for live monitoring, synchronous control, and automation sequencing.

Gained valuable practical experience with microcontrollers, sensor integration, circuit design, and system design.

Project Notes

Production Context

The project was built with a live-show mindset: components that could be serviced without rebuilding the attraction.

The result is a system that dynamically responds to sensor data, allowing for crowd control as well as lighting, mechanical, and audio synchronization.

The video below demonstrates all of the above in action simultaneously to simulate cannon fire, lightning, and destruction effects.

Gallery

Visual references

Video

Video Showcase

Technical Highlights

Core decisions

Python-driven orchestration for synchronized sequences and status monitoring.
ESP32 nodes for wireless triggers, buttons, and sensor reporting.
Modular design that can scale from a single room effect to a larger attraction layout.
Integration of electrical, pneumatic, and audio subsystems into one controllable framework.
Automatic pneumatic door system designed with safety in mind. Obstacle obstruction is determined by multiple sensors that will reverse a door's direction if someone is in the way.
Custom animatronics designed and built. 'Pedro' can be seen in the media below (he is the bird). He was modified from a static prop into one that talks and moves wings, mouth, and neck.

Lessons Learned

What improved

Real time data monitoring with ESP32 sensor monitoring system.
How to build and operate multiple systems from a single controller (python) using dynamic input data from sensors.

Future Work

Next steps

Improve power distribution efficiency and modularity.
Expand reusable hardware modules (ESP32 nodes) for faster setup across future attractions.