We are excited to introduce the Realix Multi Pod, a versatile new addition to the Realix ERC ecosystem. The Multi Pod is designed to bring affordable and flexible hardware integration to your escape room projects, making it easier than ever to connect displays, sensors, actuators, and other interactive elements to your game.
Like all Realix Pods, the Multi Pod connects to the SBUS. SBUS is the Realix plug-and-play field bus that combines communication and power over a single cable. Pods can be daisy-chained together, significantly reducing wiring throughout the room while allowing automatic discovery and configuration within the ERC system.
One Hardware Platform, Multiple Applications
The Multi Pod is available with different firmware variants, each optimized for a specific purpose. Currently available versions include:
- Multi Pod – Sensor
- Multi Pod – Servo
- Multi Pod – Interact
This approach allows you to select the firmware that best matches your application while using the same compact hardware platform.
Multi Pod – Interact
The Interact firmware supports popular LCD character displays such as the LCD1602, LCD1604, and LCD2004 when equipped with a PCF8574 I²C interface module. These displays are ideal for showing hints, puzzle clues, codes, countdowns, and game information.
The same firmware also supports simple serial audio playback modules, making it possible to combine sound and display functionality in a single Pod.
Multi Pod – Servo Control
With the Servo firmware, the Multi Pod can control up to 16 servos through a PCA9685 PWM servo driver board. This makes it suitable for animatronics, moving props, hidden mechanisms, and many other escape room applications. Servos are powered externally while the control electronics are powered by the Multi Pod.
Multi Pod – Sensor Integration
The Multi Pod can also be used as a flexible sensor interface. By utilizing I²C and serial communication, a wide range of sensor types can be connected and integrated into the ERC system.
Currently, a limited number of sensor and control modules are officially supported. However, the architecture has been designed with expansion in mind. If you would like to use a sensor or control module that is not currently supported, please contact us at [email protected]. Support for additional modules can often be added through a firmware update.
Built for Escape Rooms
The goal of the Multi Pod is simple: provide a low-cost, flexible way to integrate custom hardware into your escape room without requiring custom electronics development. Whether you want to display clues, drive moving objects, read sensors, or create entirely new interactions, the Multi Pod offers a powerful foundation that can grow with your ideas.
We are looking forward to expanding the range of supported modules and seeing what creative applications escape room builders create with the Realix Multi Pod.
More Information
For more information visit our knowledge base article Realix Multi Pod. To buy you can visit the Realix Store