I am looking at putting together a mechanical perceptron (as shown in the attached image which was extracted from the very start of this YouTube video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-9ALe3U-Fg)
After creating a smaller prototype (say a 2x2 grid) I would then be considering making multiple larger 4x4 grid versions for a classroom (teaching AI at a introductory level for high school students)
From my understanding, I could get it done using breadboards which would avoid soldering and make it easier for a classroom setting. I am hoping that you could give me some feedback on this potential list of components and let me know if you think I’m missing anything or should swap anything out.
I was not allowed to post multiple links in this post and so I will make a comment with some of the further components needed.
Switches
LED Lights / 100 ohm Resistors to Indicate Switch On/Off
Potentiometers (One is more expensive than the other. If the cheaper one fits the project than I am happy with that one..)
Resistors
10k used for connecting potentiometer output to final breadboard input for total signal summation and sending to voltmeter
Breadboards
For a smaller prototype I think I could fit a 2 by 2 grid of switches, LED indication lights and potentiometers (including a 5th potentiometer for the bias control)
The output signals from each potentiometer are summed via the 10k resistors and a breadboard which then sends the total signal strength to a voltmeter.
Jumper Wires
Voltmeter and Terminal Blocks to connect to Breadboard
Two Terminal Blocks (for voltmeter red + voltmeter black)
Battery Pack
This would again need two terminal blocks as listed above.
I’ve used all of the products in the links you have provided.
I can tell you the cheaper of the two pots would be ok for your application.
Concerning breadboards, my suggestion is use the mini breadboards, each with two pots. Then have modules as spares that can clip together to form a matrix of arbitrary size.
These become reusable teaching aids for future classes.
The breadboard slide switches are pretty good, and smaller than you think.
I would strongly suggest buying some pre-cut jumper wires, since I know from experience, even on breadboards, 50% of your time is just cutting wires to the right length so that it’s neat and clear to the user. Makes it easier to debug too.
Great project idea, this kind of tactile, visual setup is such a good fit for teaching fundamental AI concepts, especially to students seeing this for the first time.
Also, thanks to @Pixmusix for the great suggestions, especially the advice about using mini breadboards in modular sections and getting pre-cut jumper wires to keep things neat and easy to troubleshoot. These practical tips will definitely save time and make the classroom experience smoother.
A couple of extra thoughts that might help:
Labeling: Consider using small adhesive labels or printable flags to mark each connection (e.g. weights, bias, input/output) clearly. It makes classroom discussion much easier, especially when students are building or debugging their own modules.
Power Distribution: If you’re scaling this to multiple 4x4 setups in a classroom, it might be worth using something like a barrel jack adapter for cleaner power distribution from a central supply rather than relying on multiple AA packs.
Storage: Since these will become repeat-use teaching tools, it’s worth planning storage now, something like stackable component trays or labeled takeaway containers keeps each “node” kit intact between classes.
Just to all a little…
After a few years of teaching and dragging in my own things for demo class use, Unless the students are building it, I would be concerned with using bread boards. I would prefer to have everything bolted in place and soldered, this will make for a more reliable class aid. breadboards getting moved around and touched by many hands (in my opinion) will have a high risk of wires coming out, cause issued to be solved in class time.
