Floppy Disk Console Escape Room Puzzle Tutorial with ESP32 and RFID

Make an escape room puzzle inspired by the floppy disks (allegedly) used to store military nuclear launch codes!
In this tutorial, I'll explain how to build a "launch console", into which players must load three different 3.5" floppy disks - selecting the correct calibration, navigation, and payload data to upload from each. Once all the correct data is uploaded, the system is activated, which can trigger a relay, display a code or other information, or display audio or video effects from an escape room control software.
If you don't want the "nuclear strike" narrative, this prop can very easily be modified to other escape room themes that could involve uploading or downloading data - spy, space, medical - or pretty much any modern theme. I'll describe how you can modify the code for Arduino or ESP32 to change the behaviour and fit your story.
Timings
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00:00:00 - 00:03:01 Introduction and Demonstration
00:03:02 - 00:05:53 Hardware overview
00:05:54 - 00:16:43 Component wiring
00:16:44 - 00:51:53 Arduino / ESP32 Code
00:51:54 - 00:52:55 Wrapup
Components Used
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ESP32
www.banggood.com/custlink/Gvm...
LCD2004 with I2C backpack
www.banggood.com/custlink/mG3...
MFRC522 RFID reader
www.aliexpress.com/item/10050...
Rotary Encoder
www.banggood.com/custlink/G3G...
If you enjoyed this video or found it helpful, please like and subscribe to this channel! And, if you'd like to download the code for the Arduino IDE, the wiring diagram, the STL models for 3D printing, or other resources used in this and all the other escape room projects shown on this channel (and support me to continue making more tutorials in the future!), please check out my Patreon at / playfultech
#esp32 #arduino #escaperoom #puzzle

[@TheUnofficialMaker]

i like the idea of using a real floppy mechanism, maybe could use the same idea as you used in the wheeled-slot mechanism.Drill small holes in the floppy.I used a laser cutter/engraver to make some cool control panels, etc. Add a sound effect of the disk loading...anyother idea would be to insert some metal pieces inside each disk and read with proximity sensors, or use magnets with reed switches, so many ways to do it! Interesting!

[@ssskids123]

Love this build! I think if I build one, I might cut a section out of the disk part of the floppy so it appears if anyone slides the shutter back…. And that was the only thing I saw that I might change!:). Thank you for sharing this. Leaned a lot.

[@mfx1]

"WE'VE GOT LESS THAN 5 MINUTES TO FIND A HEAD CLEANING DISK!"

[@bluegizmo1983]

That's a cool idea for an escape room. I would add some large subwoofers and speakers behind one of the walls or in an adjacent room so that when they complete the code and launch, it sounds like a Missle in a silo is actually launching, with the loud noise and shaking from the subwoofers.

[@PlayfulTechnology]

Definitely! That would be very easy to trigger after the data is uploaded, and perhaps after having two keyswitches turned at the same time?

[@welshdave5263]

@@PlayfulTechnology I was thinking of the two key switches too, extra twist.... maybe find a way (as part of the escape story) to limit only one person to that area, "the facility has been hit before launch and if there is more than one person worth of weight at the launch desk its power fails but restores on removal of people/weight" the two smallest members of the group would need to use switches, or one person and string or belt, like Winona Ryder in stranger things!

[@TekGeekDad]

Love it and I have some laying around to use that I could throw together with an rfid. Great idea!

[@dlepierres]

Really good idea

[@DerekWalker55]

That has worked so well, Great job. I'm not sure if a magnet would interfere with the RFID tag, but you could put a magnet at the back of your enclosure that would stick onto the metal slide of the disk to hold it in, then create some sort of 3-D printed lever that can push it back out if you press the button on the front. And if somebody just pulls the disk out it won't damage anything. Also maybe leave a portion of the original floppy disk magnetic material under the window, so that when somebody slides that cover open they can see the floppy disk inside, just for more realism. I know I wouldn't be able to help myself and would slide that cover open just to look inside 🙂 Are you going to mess with the players even more and clear any previously loaded sequences if you get one wrong?

[@PlayfulTechnology]

Yes, if you wanted to go for realism, I like the idea of leaving just a little slice of the magnetic platter visible when you pull the shutter back! I considered making it more difficult by requiring the files to be loaded in a certain order, or perhaps needing a password to access certain files, but I think on balance I prefer this to be more of a "task" than a "puzzle" - players have already had to find all three of the disks, and then the requirement to combine the correct single file from each is sufficient for my needs, I think. But please do take it and modify it to your own needs!

[@theturtle32]

I love this soooo much! ❤ Minor suggestion: the prompt when dealing with Floppies was always "Insert disk" not "Insert disc."

[@PlayfulTechnology]

I deliberately included both spellings in the video description to appeal to both the UK and US audiences ;)

[@theturtle32]

@@PlayfulTechnology Oooh, they were called "Floppy Discs" in the UK back in the 80's and 90's then?

[@PlayfulTechnology]

@@theturtle32 According to the box I'm looking at, they were formally described as "floppy diskettes". But "Disc" is the UK spelling for things like "Compact Disc" (CDs, and also DVDs), and "Disc Jockey" (DJ). So I guess both were probably used....it's probably largely irrelevant now anyway!

[@TagiukGold]

@@PlayfulTechnology The spelling (in the US, at least as I remember) indicated whether it was a read-only Disc or a read/write Disk. The Disc spelling was introduced at the same time as the CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory).

[@BaeLingSun]

Hi, Derek. You video idea is really new we like it so much, how can I reach to you? We have a fun product want to collaborate with you!

[@ManiacalMaker]

So you did run into the same problem as I did. Like I mentioned underneath the last video I had really hoped you'd solve that problem for the both of us. What a shame for me. But nice project

[@PlayfulTechnology]

Lol, sadly yes - I think that's unavoidable with RFID (certainly the ones that operate in common consumer bandwidth). My only suggested solution is to 3D print copies of those metal parts - that would certainly work, but I suspect it might not have the durability to sustain heavy-handed treatment by escape room players :(

[@ManiacalMaker]

@@PlayfulTechnology I've tried cutting everything but the most structurally essential pieces out of the drive, hasn't worked so far. Might try some more someday. I wish I had the skill to design those parts to 3d print. I'd love to try them at least.

[@PlayfulTechnology]

@@ManiacalMaker I reckon it shouldn't be too hard to model them - I had a quick search but it doesn't look like anyone has already done it (it's a pretty niche use-case, I guess!). If I find a bit of spare time I'll have a go and let you know how I get on :)

[@ManiacalMaker]

@@PlayfulTechnology sounds great! I'll keep you updated if I find a way to make it work with the original hardware (if you'd be interested, that is)