Mark builds a DEFCON-style status display using an ESP32 and addressable LEDs. Originally intended to track global alert levels, the project was reimagined as a personal progress indicator that changes color based on task completion. The ESP32 hosts a web-based interface where users can manage tasks, with the LED sign reflecting their status in real time. This project combines simple electronics, custom laser-cut acrylic housing, and Wi-Fi control for a practical and adaptable build.
Watch Mark Build the Project
A DEFCON Concept, Re-imagined
This project began as an idea to create a DEFCON-style status display that could reflect real-world security levels using live data from global threat monitoring sites. The original concept was to scan various international sources, process the data, and use a weighted algorithm to display a generalised “threat level” on a wall-mounted sign. However, while exploring this approach, it became clear that interpreting and relaying potentially serious or sensitive information in this way could lead to confusion or misrepresentation. As a result, the project was re-imagined as a personal task progress tracker—a safer and more practical application for the same hardware.
Core Hardware and Materials
The hardware build centres around the ESP32 micro-controller, chosen for its built-in Wi-Fi capabilities and Arduino support. A pair of addressable LED strips forms the display, allowing the indicator to represent five different levels of status or completion. The housing is constructed from laser-cut acrylic sheets. Clear acrylic was used for availability reasons and later spray painted for opacity. Internal light diffusers were made by sanding down acrylic pieces to a matte finish, ensuring the LED light would disperse evenly across each display segment. The build also includes a momentary push-button for network reset functionality, and a USB power source or battery pack to power the device.
Design and Assembly Process
Assembly involved gluing together acrylic panels to form compartments behind each numeric cutout in the sign. These compartments act as light isolation chambers so that each digit is illuminated cleanly without bleeding into neighboring sections. Separators and diffusers were added to improve clarity, and the LED strips were cut to size and mounted precisely within each section. Wiring the LED strips to the ESP32 required attention to the correct data, power, and ground connections. The reset switch was also wired to allow network reconfiguration when held during boot. Hot glue was used to secure the internal components once final placement was confirmed.
Programming the ESP32
The ESP32 runs a web server that hosts a simple interface for managing a task list. Users connect to the device over Wi-Fi, either directly using the ESP32’s access point or through a configured local network. The web interface allows users to add, mark, and clear tasks. As tasks are completed, the sign changes its visual output to reflect progress—from red to green based on completion ratio. The firmware includes both the HTML/CSS web page and the Arduino sketch, with clear documentation and required library references included in the source code.
Wrapping it Up
The final result is a functional and adaptable project that uses familiar micro-controller tools to build a responsive visual indicator. The outcome is a useful tool that adds a touch of humour and urgency to everyday priorities. The sign is easy to install and configure, and thanks to the ESP32’s flexibility, it can be expanded or reprogrammed for future enhancements.
Supporting Links and Downloads
Bill of Materials
| Product Name | Manufacturer | Quantity | Buy Kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pushbutton Switch, 12 mm, SPST, On-Off, Round Raised, Yellow | Multicomp Pro | 1 | Buy Now |
Additional Parts
| Product Name | Manufacturer | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| ESP32 DOIT DEVKIT 1,0 | 1 | |
| ledstrip WS2812 approx. 1 meter | 1 |
