# Labo RC Car Action Lights ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/053/400/medium800/express_laboRC-action-still2.jpg?1525230327) The **Nintendo Labo RC Toy-Con** is simple, but a lot of fun to play with.  Let's make it even better with motion-triggered lights courtesy of [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333). This modification only uses a little bit of double-sided tape to keep the battery secure, so it's easily reversible if you decide to remove it or make changes. # What You'll Need ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/053/386/medium800/express_laboRC-1v2.jpg?1525217723) - Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Labo RC Car (assembled) - [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) - [150mAh Lithium Polymer Battery](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1317) - [Micro USB Cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) - Double-sided Tape or Removable Poster Tape # Labo RC Car Action Lights ## Software First thing we need to do is install the project code. This code will use the Circuit Playground Express's built-in **accelerometer** to sense vibration and then light up the built in **Neopixel LEDs**. # Upload the Code ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/053/383/medium800/express_labo-7.jpg?1525208867) Connect the  **Circuit Playground Express to your computer**  with a  **micro USB cable**.  You should see a drive named  **"CIRCUITPY"**  appear on your computer.  ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/053/384/medium800/express_labo-8b.jpg?1525208893) You'll need to have the  **Neopixel library**  installed on your Circuit Playground Express in order to run this project's  **CircuitPython**  code. Follow the steps on [this page to install the CircuitPython library bundle](../../../../welcome-to-circuitpython/circuitpython-libraries#installing-the-circuitpython-library-bundle). [Install the CircuitPython Library Bundle](https://learn.adafruit.com/welcome-to-circuitpython/circuitpython-libraries#installing-the-circuitpython-library-bundle) Copy the following code, paste it into a  **plain text file**  or [code editor such as Mu](../../../../welcome-to-circuitpython/installing-mu-editor). Save the file as  **"code.py"**  to the  **CIRCUITPY drive**. https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_Learning_System_Guides/blob/main/Labo_RC_Car_Light_FX/code.py After the file saves, your Circuit Playground Express should reboot and start running the action light code. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/085/293/medium800/robotics___cnc_Screen_Shot_2019-12-04_at_3.38.21_AM.png?1575448999 Here's what your CIRCUITPY drive should look like with necessary files in place.) # Test It To make sure everything is working, **disconnect** the Circuit Playground Express from your computer and **connect the LiPo battery**. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/053/387/medium800/express_laboRC-2.jpg?1525217811) Try shaking the Circuit Playground around a bit.  If it flashes different colors - the code is working! # Labo RC Car Action Lights ## Installation Mounting the Circuit playground and Battery is easy.  We'll use use tape to mount the battery, and the Circuit Playground will be held in by the RC Car's cardboard tabs. # Mount the Circuit Playground Express Turn the **RC Car** upside down and **slide the edges** of the Circuit Playground Express under **two large cardboard tabs**. Keep the **USB jack** pointed toward the car's 'antenna' as seen in the photo above. # Mount the Battery Apply a small piece of **double-sided tape** to the **battery** and press it into place at the **front edge** of the car's underside. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/053/394/medium800/express_laboRC-8-wide.jpg?1525217990) Connect the battery to the Circuit Playground and turn the car right side up again. That's it - installation is complete :) # Labo RC Car Action Lights ## Use It! ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/053/395/medium800/express_laboRC-9-wide.jpg?1525218036) Install the **Joy-Cons** on the **RC Car** and boot up your **Switch. ** Start up the Labo Variety Pack cartridge, enter **RC Car Play** mode, and take your new tricked-out ride for a test drive … ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/053/398/medium800thumb/express_Labo-RC-Car-action1.jpg?1525229679) When you're done using the car, don't forget to **disconnect the battery** from the Circuit Playground. This will help preserve battery life. Have fun & drive safe :) ## Featured Products ### Circuit Playground Express [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) **Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3333/guides) ### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 150mAh [Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 150mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1317) Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 150mAh for a total of about 0.6 Wh. If you need a larger battery, Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1317) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1317/guides) ### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B [USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-express.md) - [CircuitPython Hardware: PCA9685 DC Motor & Stepper Driver](https://learn.adafruit.com/micropython-hardware-pca9685-dc-motor-and-stepper-driver.md) - [HalloWing Light Paintstick](https://learn.adafruit.com/hallowing-light-paintstick.md) - [Cartoon Network MakeCode: Garnet's Gauntlets from Steven Universe](https://learn.adafruit.com/cartoon-network-makecode-garnets-gauntlets-from-steven-universe.md) - [Glowing Lotus Flower - Electronic Origami for Beginners](https://learn.adafruit.com/glowing-lotus-flower-electronic-origami-for-beginners.md) - [CircuitPython I2C and SPI Under the Hood](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-basics-i2c-and-spi.md) - [CircuitPython Hardware: LED Backpacks & FeatherWings](https://learn.adafruit.com/micropython-hardware-led-backpacks-and-featherwings.md) - [Mason Jar Snow Globe](https://learn.adafruit.com/snow-globe-makecode.md) - [Glowing Interactive Crystal Staff ](https://learn.adafruit.com/glowing-interactive-crystal-staff.md) - [Using DS18B20 Temperature Sensor with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/using-ds18b20-temperature-sensor-with-circuitpython.md) - [Custom Controllers for MakeCode Arcade](https://learn.adafruit.com/custom-controllers-for-makecode-arcade.md) - [Stand-alone programming AVRs using CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/stand-alone-programming-avrs-using-circuitpython.md) - [Interactive Map with Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/interactive-map-with-cpx.md) - [Professor Bubbleton’s Breathing Head in a Jar](https://learn.adafruit.com/professor-bubbleton-s-breathing-head-in-a-jar.md) - [Labo Piano Light FX](https://learn.adafruit.com/labo-piano-light-fx.md) - [Edit CircuitPython Code on iOS with Runestone](https://learn.adafruit.com/editing-circuitpython-on-ios-with-runestone.md)