Global Interaction: The Internet-Controlled Christmas Crib

Christmas decorations are usually static, but this project transforms a traditional Christmas Crib (Nativity Scene) into a globally interactive IoT Installation. By hosting a custom web portal, the designers allow anyone in the world to flip switches on their smartphone and see the real-world results through live IP cameras. It’s a massive engineering effort that bridges web development, server management, and embedded electronics.

The Hybrid Cloud + Local Architecture

To handle the load of multiple web users while maintaining real-time control, the project uses a tiered architecture:

• The Web Core: A responsive website built with Bootstrap and jQuery is hosted on a local Debian VM (running on Proxmox). This server acts as the central state manager, recording which lights should be on.
• The Pi Proxy: A Raspberry Pi 3 acts as the localized gateway. It continuously polls the Debian server for the current state. This "Proxy" approach is used for security—the Christmas crib hardware is never directly exposed to the public internet.
• Arduino Execution: Two Arduino Nano boards receive commands from the Pi via USB Serial. The Nanos are the muscle of the operation, managing the high-speed switching of LEDs and speakers.

High-Power Lighting via MOSFETs

Traditional Christmas lights are too powerful for direct Arduino control. The project solves this using a custom PCB:

1. N-Channel Power MOSFETs: Twelve high-current MOSFETs act as solid-state relays. They allow the 5V signals from the Arduino to control higher voltage (12V or 24V) LED strips without mechanical wear.
2. IP Camera Feedback: To give internet users instant satisfaction, two IP Cameras are strategically placed inside the crib. The live stream is embedded in the website, allowing users to see their light changes in real-time.
3. Long-Range Connectivity: Because the crib is located in a city center away from the main server, the team used a Ubiquiti NanoBeam point-to-point wireless link on a dedicated mast to provide stable internet.

Community Spirit through Technology

Beyond the electronics, the project integrated Computer Speakers that blasted carols across the town square whenever a user engaged with the site. Built over the course of a month by a dedicated team of friends, it serves as a powerful example of how Home Automation and Smart Appliances can be used to foster community engagement and holiday cheer through open-access art.

Hey,

I wanted to show an original project, built together with friends. There is a crib controlled by the Internet. Everyone can control the crib by website.

The site was created using bootstrap and jquery. Hosting is on your own basement server. We use a virtual machine (Debian) on proxmox.

Raspberry Pi is just a proxy. It retrieves the current status from the server and sends it to Arduino.

We used a Raspberry Pi 3, 2 x IP Cameras, 2 x Arduino Nano and a lot of self-igniting. 😀

The communication is based on Ubiquiti NanoBeam, we have Internet from a local ISP. Ubiquiti is mounted on a mast on which the flag normally hangs.

In the crib we installed the computer speaker - all carols was heard in city center 😀 I built it with my colleagues for about a month. More details in the pictures.

Sorry for my English. It's not my native language.

Link for website: http://crib.controlling24.com/