Introducing The Cosmic Selector: A Unique 3D-Printed NFC Jukebox Experience
Imagine a music platform that bridges the digital and physical worlds in an innovative way. The Cosmic Selector is a web-based interactive experience tailored for the artist Lord Huron, offering fans a novel method to enjoy select tracks from their latest album. This engaging platform leverages physical tokens—custom 3D-printed NFC coins—that unlock exclusive song selections at concerts or through direct mail.
How It Works
Fans who receive these special coins simply scan them with their smartphones. Each NFC-enabled coin contains a unique link that, when tapped, triggers the web app to play designated songs. The ongoing session is accessible to everyone present, creating a dynamic, communal jukebox atmosphere reminiscent of classic tavern setups.
Technical Foundations
The project was built using Vue.js and Nuxt.js, hosted seamlessly on Netlify. The 3D design of the coin holder interface was modeled in Blender and integrated into the web experience via Three.js for responsive real-time visuals. Pusher handles live updates so multiple users can see current song selections and queue status instantaneously.
Innovative NFC Integration
A cornerstone of this experience is the implementation of the NFC API, which facilitates the minting process of each coin. Each coin is uniquely generated in DynamoDB, with its corresponding URL embedded onto the NFC chip during production—ensuring that every coin is a one-time-use token. To manage song selections efficiently, a custom queue algorithm running on AWS Lambda ensures proper sequencing even when multiple users attempt to play tracks simultaneously.
Further Insights and Visuals
Explore the design and process behind the physical coins on Instagram:
Physical NFC Coins
Get a closer look at the web application’s interface and features:
Web App Showcase
If you’re interested in developing similar interactive music experiences or have questions about any technical aspect of this project, feel free to reach out. The Cosmic Selector exemplifies how modern web development and innovative hardware integration can create engaging, tangible music-sharing moments.
