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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallArduino Pokéball was a real 2016 maker project, not an official Pokémon accessory. It used an Arduino 101 to detect a throwing motion, sent that event over Bluetooth Low Energy to an Android phone, and connected the phone-side workflow to Pokémon GO. The concept is well documented, but the original hardware and Android software stack are dated, so it should be treated today as a historical reproduction or a starting point for a modern redesign—not a guaranteed plug-and-play build.
What the Arduino Pokéball actually does
The original project turns a physical Pokéball-shaped enclosure into a motion-triggered controller. Instead of performing the entire interaction with a finger on the phone screen, the user throws the ball. The Arduino senses the movement and transmits an event to the Android device.
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Throwing motion
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Arduino 101 IMU
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Shock callback
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BLE characteristic
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Android application / Tasker
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Pokémon GO interactionIt is not a standalone Pokédex, an independent Pokémon-catching device, or official Nintendo, Pokémon, or Pokémon GO hardware. The phrase “Arduino Pokéball” is also used for unrelated projects featuring LEDs, buttons, speakers, vibration motors, or servo-powered opening mechanisms. Those are Pokéball props, but they do not necessarily use the original Pokémon GO design.
The project was associated with Arduino Sweden interaction designer Marcus Johansson. Arduino published it on August 4, 2016, and the corresponding Arduino Project Hub entry is dated August 9, 2016.
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Original hardware and software
| Part | Role |
|---|---|
| Arduino 101 | Microcontroller, inertial measurement unit, and BLE radio |
| Android device | Receives the BLE event and runs the phone-side integration |
| 9V battery | Listed power source for the original build |
| 9V-to-barrel-jack connector | Connects the battery to the board |
| Pokémon GO | Target game |
| Tasker | Part of the documented Android automation workflow |
| Custom enclosure | The prototype used MDF; a 3D-printed exterior later housed the electronics |
The Project Hub parts list is the best reference for the documented build, but it is not a complete modern bill of materials. It also does not establish that the Arduino 101, its supporting libraries, or the original Pokémon GO workflow remain readily available and compatible today.
How the Arduino firmware works
The original sketch is only 107 lines long, but it depends heavily on Arduino 101-specific software. Its key components are CurieBLE.h, EducationShield.h, the Arduino 101 IMU API, and the board’s BLE implementation.
The firmware creates an IMU and BLE peripheral, then defines a custom BLE service and characteristic:
#include <CurieBLE.h>
#include <EducationShield.h>
IMU imu;
BLEPeripheral blePeripheral;
BLEService ledService("19B10000-E8F2-537E-4F6C-D104768A1214");
BLECharCharacteristic switchChar(
"19B10001-E8F2-537E-4F6C-D104768A1214",
BLERead | BLEWrite
);During setup, the sketch starts the IMU, enables shock detection, and registers a callback. It advertises the BLE device under the local name APKM:
imu.begin();
imu.detectShock();
imu.attachCallback(shockCallback);
blePeripheral.setLocalName("APKM");
blePeripheral.setAdvertisedServiceUuid(ledService.uuid());
blePeripheral.addAttribute(ledService);
blePeripheral.addAttribute(switchChar);
switchChar.setValue(0);
blePeripheral.begin();The callback itself is deliberately simple:
static void shockCallback(void)
{
val++;
}Every detected shock increments a counter. The main loop polls the BLE peripheral, notices when the counter changes, writes the value to the characteristic, and waits 350 milliseconds:
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- Learn, Modify and Create: Follow 35+ guided lessons with example code, then adjust sensor thresholds, timing, display text, motor behavior and control logic to turn structured exercises into access systems, monitors, alarms and interactive projects
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blePeripheral.poll();
if (oldval != val) {
dir = val;
}
switchChar.setValue(dir);
oldval = val;
delay(350);This is not a computer-vision system or a sophisticated throw classifier. It is a motion-triggered BLE event transmitter. The phone-side software is responsible for receiving and interpreting that event.
The complete firmware is available as ArduinoBall.ino.
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The original Project-PKStop repository contains two main pieces: the Arduino firmware and an Android project in android-BluetoothLeGatt-master. The Android application is based on an older Bluetooth GATT sample, and the Project Hub page says that Android Studio is required to install it.
The Android project’s README lists an Android SDK version 23, Android Build Tools 23.0.3, the Android Support Repository, and Gradle. Those requirements describe the period in which the project was built; they are not evidence of a supported modern Android setup.
For debugging or porting, the original identifiers are important:
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- Begin Without Soldering: Pre-soldered modules, a solderless breadboard, organized storage case and small-parts box reduce setup time and help beginners move from lesson to lesson while keeping LEDs, ICs, wires and sensors easy to find
- Learn, Modify and Create: Program the ELEGOO UNO R3 board with Arduino IDE using the included PDF tutorial and example code, then adjust sensor thresholds, timing, display text and motor behavior to turn guided lessons into original projects
- Flexible Power and Project Setup: Includes a 9 V, 1 A power supply, breadboard power module, 9 V battery and USB cable to support controller, breadboard and module experiments without sourcing basic setup accessories separately
- Advertised device name:
APKM - BLE service:
19B10000-E8F2-537E-4F6C-D104768A1214 - BLE characteristic:
19B10001-E8F2-537E-4F6C-D104768A1214 - Serial speed:
9600baud - Main-loop delay:
350milliseconds
A current phone may require different Bluetooth permissions, dependency versions, and background-behavior handling. More importantly, the available sources do not verify that the original Android application, Tasker workflow, or Pokémon GO interaction still works unchanged in 2026.
Can you still build the original version?
If you already own an Arduino 101, a restoration may be possible. Expect to work with old board packages, libraries, and Android tooling, potentially in an isolated or virtualized development environment.
If you are starting from zero, it is a poor first Arduino project. You must solve three separate problems: board-specific IMU firmware, BLE communication, and phone/game integration. A successful upload of the sketch would not by itself produce a working Pokémon GO controller.
For a modern maker, porting the concept is more realistic than copying it. A current BLE-capable board with an IMU could reproduce the sensor and wireless layers, but it would require new firmware and a new Android-side integration. An Uno, Uno R4, or generic Nano should not be expected to compile the original sketch unchanged.
A sensible reproduction workflow
- Get the original source. Download or clone Project-PKStop and inspect both the Arduino and Android directories.
- Confirm the board. The sketch targets the Arduino 101. Selecting a different Arduino board is not a drop-in substitution.
- Test the electronics outside the enclosure. Connect USB, compile in an environment supporting the Arduino 101 libraries, and check serial output at 9600 baud. The sketch reports “Bluetooth device active, waiting for connections…” when the BLE peripheral starts.
- Verify BLE independently. Check that the board advertises as
APKMand exposes the documented service and characteristic. Confirm that a shock changes the transmitted value. - Build the Android app separately. Import it into Android Studio, but expect SDK, Gradle, signing, dependency, and permission issues. Do not assume that blindly upgrading every dependency will preserve the original behavior.
- Test the game interaction as its own compatibility problem. The 2016 demonstration does not verify current Pokémon GO or Tasker behavior.
- Build the enclosure last. Secure the battery and board, add strain relief, provide access to power controls, and prevent internal parts from shifting during movement.
Troubleshooting the common failures
Missing Curie or EducationShield libraries
If the IDE cannot find CurieBLE.h, EducationShield.h, or the IMU definitions, first check that the Arduino 101 board is selected and that its board package and libraries are installed. If the original environment cannot be restored, port the three essential functions—motion detection, BLE advertising, and characteristic writes—instead of randomly replacing includes.
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Android build errors
Gradle and support-library failures are expected risks with an SDK 23-era project. Preserve the original project in an isolated environment where possible. A modernized app should be treated as a port, including a review of Bluetooth permissions and background behavior.
The phone cannot discover the ball
Check that the board is powered and advertising, that the phone has Bluetooth permissions, and that the app is scanning for the original service UUID. Also check whether another phone is already connected and whether a port accidentally changed the device name or UUIDs.
False triggers or missed throws
The original design uses shock detection, so rattling, dropping, or hard impacts can look like throws. False positives can be reduced in a redesign with a cooldown period, threshold tuning, orientation checks, and a deliberate activation gesture. Missed events can result from a loose board mount, unsuitable thresholds, enclosure damping, poor power, or a failed IMU callback.
Power and enclosure faults
The listed 9V battery and barrel connector describe the original project, not a universal recommendation for modern hardware. Check voltage regulation, connector polarity, current draw, short-circuit protection, battery clearance, and mechanical retention. Do not place an unsecured battery inside a throwable shell.
Modern alternatives
1. Restore the original Arduino 101
Choose this route for historical accuracy, source-code study, or retroengineering—especially if you already have the board and are comfortable maintaining legacy software.
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- ATmega328P Microcontroller: Powered by the reliable ATmega328P, running at 16 MHz with 32KB of flash memory, 2KB SRAM, and 1KB EEPROM, offering ample resources for a wide range of basic to advanced electronics projects.
- 14 Digital I/O Pins & 6 Analog Inputs: Features 14 digital I/O pins (6 of which support PWM output) and 6 analog inputs (10-bit resolution), providing flexible options for sensors, motors, and other external components.
- USB Connectivity for Easy Programming: The built-in USB port allows for direct programming and serial communication, enabling a simple connection to your computer for sketch uploading and debugging through the Arduino IDE.
- Compatible with Arduino IDE: Full compatibility with the Arduino IDE ensures easy access to a vast array of libraries, code examples, and community-driven projects, making the Uno a great choice for both beginners and experienced makers.
- Widely Used in Education & Prototyping: The Arduino Uno is a standard in educational environments, widely used for learning and teaching electronics and programming. It's perfect for prototyping, robotics, IoT projects, and more.
2. Redesign the controller
A current BLE-and-IMU board can reproduce the architecture: detect a gesture, send a compact event, and build a new Android application around it. This is technically cleaner than forcing modern hardware to use Arduino 101 libraries, but it is a new project rather than a direct replacement.
3. Build a functional Pokéball prop
If Pokémon GO control is optional, the project becomes much simpler. Add LEDs, a piezo or buzzer, vibration, a button, or a servo latch. Motion can trigger a lighting or sound sequence without depending on a game, old Android code, or Tasker.
4. Make a non-throwing display prop
A mounted or hand-operated prop is safer and easier to test. It can retain the visual design while using a button or concealed switch instead of a shock-triggered action.
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Current kits are useful for a new prop, but neither is documented as a direct replacement for the original Arduino 101 project.
The Arduino Starter Kit R4 includes an UNO R4 WiFi, breadboard, LEDs, buttons, piezo hardware, sensors, wires, and a 9V battery snap connector. It is the broader choice for a beginner who wants to learn electronics and build a custom Pokéball prop. It does not provide the original Arduino 101 software stack.
The Arduino Plug and Make Kit includes an UNO R4 WiFi, movement sensing, pixels, a buzzer, buttons, a knob, distance sensing, and other modular hardware. It is convenient for quickly prototyping motion, light, and sound effects, but its base and modules are designed for accessible bench prototyping rather than a compact impact-resistant ball. No official source cited here confirms Pokémon GO integration or compatibility with the original Android application.
Safety and usage notes
- Test motion detection with the ball held or moved gently before attempting any throw.
- Use a soft, lightweight prototype and test only in a clear area.
- Never throw the device at people, animals, vehicles, or fragile equipment.
- Secure the battery, board, wiring, and closure against internal movement.
- Inspect 3D-printed parts for sharp edges and cracks after impact testing.
- Treat the result as a maker experiment, not an official game accessory.
Conclusion
The Arduino Pokéball was a genuine 2016 Arduino 101 experiment that combined an IMU, BLE, Android software, Tasker, and Pokémon GO. Its most reusable idea is the architecture: a physical gesture becomes a small wireless event. The original sketch and UUIDs remain valuable references, but reproducing the full experience today requires legacy-toolchain work and likely a fresh phone-side implementation. For most new builders, a modern prop with lights, sound, or motion effects is the practical route; for historical reconstruction, the Arduino 101 remains the correct target.
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