Here’s one you probably didn’t see coming—Netflix just announced its own line of branded smart socks. Netflix socks are designed to automatically pause Netflix when you fall asleep. As well as being a cool product, they’re also the ultimate intro to hobbyist electronics. Take a look!
The socks, branded with Netflix shows, are assembled by users at home following a pattern. Netflix have published patterns themed after BoJack Horseman, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, House of Cards and 14 additional options. (Of course, you could also knit your own socks with any other pattern, which are available online or in books.) Once you’ve completed the socks themselves, it’s time to make them smart.
This is done through a small collection of gadgets?—?Netflix recommend an Arduino Pro Trinket board, wide angle IR LEDs, an LED light, a 500mAh battery, a momentary button and an accelerometer. Combine these together using a soldering iron, cover the collection in felt, and sew them into the socks. You’ll also have to do a bit of programming, although Netflix have provided the basics.
All in all, it’s a questionably useful device, but it’s a really awesome project to try. If you’ve been interested in how DIY electronics are made, this is a really nice primer—not too easy, not too hard, and it produces something you can show off to people once you’re finished. It also requires a few different skills—knitting and sewing, programming and electronics and microcontrollers—which encourages makers with broad skill bases, or good partners, or both!
You can check Netflix’s full smart socks page here. What do you think of Netflix’s smart socks? Let us know in the comments below—particularly if you try it yourself!