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Now and again we see an Arduino-based project that has moved from the desk to a finished product - and in the following example to something that any constructor would be proud of. Tumblr user shnatko had experimented with RGB LEDs in various patterns and took it to the next level with their interactive RGB LED table.

This is a piece of furniture that contains a 16 x 32 RGB LED matrix mounted under a sheet of glass, and between these LEDs are a matching grid of infra-red LEDs and phototransistors that can detect changes in light, and in effect become a form of user input for the table. All the LEDs are mutiplexed back to an Arduino Due board, which offers the CPU speed and also memory to allow for a wide range of visual effects and even games such as Tetris.

The table is controlled by a classic Nintendo console controller which is used to select and control the visual effect on the table. A demonstation of this can be seen in the following video:

Certainly one of the more inspiring projects we've seen in a while, and you can follow its progress through the project blog. And for more, we're on twitter, facebook and Google+, so follow us for news and product updates as well.

If you're looking to learn about Arduino development platform and how it interacts with external devices -  you can't go past "Arduino Workshop -  A Hands-On Introduction with 65 Projects” by John Boxall.

Arduino Workshop takes the reader from having zero knowledge about the Arduino platform, electronics and programming and leaves them with the know-how and instructions on everything from blinking an LED, to robotics, wireless data, cellular communications, motor control, sensors, Internet connected systems and more. For more information including a sample chapter and table of contents, visit the book page.