Imagine having a coffee table that not only serves your morning brew but also guides your daily commute with real-time traffic updates. That’s exactly what maker Michael Rechtin accomplished with his ingenious DIY smart coffee table project that transforms a Cincinnati map into an interactive traffic display. This brilliant fusion of woodworking craftsmanship and modern technology is capturing attention across the maker community, and it’s easier to recreate than you might think.
The table itself is fairly standard with mitered joints at the corners and coated in polyurethane. Bolt on a few legs, and you’ve got a coffee table. But the fun comes with the fancy design on top. A CNC-cut map of Cincinnati is laid out under a sheet of glass. Roads and rivers are painted for a nice touch. This DIY project doesn’t just have beautiful woodwork but also has a seamless integration of technology that transforms a simple piece of furniture into a functional traffic monitoring system. The Cincinnati map becomes a living, breathing display that shows real-time road conditions, making it both a conversation starter and a practical tool for daily life.
Designer: Michael Rechtin
The real innovation lies beneath the surface. On top of the map resides an animated display of either road conditions or the other five pre-programmed animations. The animations include color-coded highways or the good ole’ gamer RGB. A Raspberry Pi powers the entire system, managing both the traffic data collection and the LED light show that brings the map to life. The LED system creates stunning visual effects that go beyond simple traffic updates. Users can switch between different display modes, including real-time traffic conditions with color-coded congestion levels, animated highway displays, customizable RGB lighting patterns, and five pre-programmed animation sequences.
For the woodworking component, you’ll want to focus on creating a sturdy frame that can support both the glass top and the electronic components underneath. The original design uses traditional mitered joints for a clean, professional appearance, finished with polyurethane for durability. The Cincinnati map in Rechtin’s project was created using CNC cutting technology, which allows for precise recreation of street layouts and geographical features. Roads and rivers are painted for a nice touch, adding visual depth and making the map more readable even when the LEDs aren’t active. The Raspberry Pi serves as the central hub, collecting traffic data and translating it into visual displays on the LED system. This involves API integration with traffic data services, LED control programming, and real-time data processing.
This smart coffee table project represents the perfect intersection of traditional woodworking skills and modern technology. It’s approachable for makers with varying skill levels and demonstrates how everyday furniture can be enhanced with smart technology without losing its primary function. While the original focuses on Cincinnati, the concept can be adapted for any city or region. Consider your hometown’s street layout, a favorite vacation destination, or even fantasy maps from books or games. The beauty lies in its accessibility and the endless possibilities for customization.
