The Showduino hardware stack follows the same architecture as the software: dedicated devices for operator control, communications, runtime authority and physical outputs.
The current build puts the operator touchscreen, emergency control, service connections and P4-based runtime into a physical system that can be mounted, opened, wired and diagnosed like equipment.
The Director is the operator-facing controller for live requests and system state.
The Comms Controller transports wireless traffic to the P4 without making show decisions.
The P4 is the centre of the live runtime: state, safety, cue dispatch, timeline execution, local storage and Showduino system services.
The physical build is part of the system design, not decoration added after the electronics were chosen.
The operator display remains easy to see and reposition without owning live runtime.
Serviceable connectors keep installation and troubleshooting practical.
Emergency control is physically obvious and logically separate from show effects.
Instead of forcing every effect through one generic box, Showduino uses specialist nodes that can be built, tested and diagnosed around the load they control.
Compatible switched outputs and isolated relay control.
Solid-state control for suitable low-voltage loads.
Segmented addressable LED effects and emergency-white override.
Dedicated show audio playback beside P4 system sounds.
The enclosure is iterated alongside the electronics. Real photography can be layered onto this structure later without holding up the current site.
Produce the enclosure and interface parts around the real hardware.
Check clearances, mounting, cooling and service access.
Install connectors and keep hardware roles physically understandable.
Commission the complete path from operator request to physical output.
The P4 exposes a defined plug-in bus for supported I/O and PWM expansion hardware.
General-purpose digital I/O expansion.
Multi-channel PWM/servo-style expansion.
I²C multiplexing for repeated addresses or separate branches.
The System Guide explains why these devices are separate and which one owns the live show.