Pololu Digital Distance Sensor v2 with Side-Entry Connector - 10cm Range _MAKE_SENSOR_KITS and the individual PWM brightness

and the individual PWM brightness control over each pixel opens up a whole heap of potential for swish animations

Its an ESP8266 WiFi module with all the extras you need

8V Maximum operating voltage 50V Continuous output current 2

or even gas and heat meters

Pololu Digital Distance Sensor v2 with Side-Entry Connector - 10cm Range _MAKE_SENSOR_KITS and the individual PWM brightnessThis compact sensor from Pololu provides a simple way to detect the presence of objects up to 10cm (4) away (Pololu 5462). As long as the sensor is enabled with an input voltage range of 3. 0V to 5. 5V, it takes continuous distance measurements and uses a single digital output to indicate if it detects an object within its detection range via a side entry 3 pin JST SH style connector. The output is driven low when the sensor detects an object;