Arduino
Project

Sketch, design, implement and document product where the central interaction is with an Arduino. This product should solve an every day problem a user is faced with.

Contributions:

Sketches: Our design process started with 10 preliminary design sketches from each of the three team members (30 in total). We then chose one temperature sensor based idea and one proximity sensor based idea as the base designs to develop 10 variants (five for each sensor) from each member. We selected 10 best refined designs to present in class and received feedback. We later decided to proceed with Macks’ Tea Heat Sensor as the final design decision for stop motion concept video, implementation, and demo.
Stop Motion Concept Video: We brainstormed and filmed our stop motion concept video together; Spencer moved the props, while Tian filmed the video, and Macks acted as the user. Tian edited the video and uploaded it to YouTube.
Implementation: Macks and Spencer collaboratively worked on the Arduino code, and Spencer worked on the wiring of the temperature sensor and Arduino. Tian worked on coding the Toios to move at our command with key bindings for different behaviours. Macks designed and built the cardboard cup holder and tea bag holder.
Demo: We brainstormed and filmed our demo video together; Spencer recorded the video, while Tian controlled the Toios, and Macks acted as the user. Macks recorded a voice-over describing our project design. Tian edited the video and uploaded it to YouTube.

References:

[Doc] Official docs on KeyCode from P5
[Code] Course instructor’s code sample on Toio control
[Code] Course TA’s code sample on Arduino LED control
[Code] Arduino temperature sensor output
[Guide] Arduino wiring
[Image] Anime Glasses. Know Your Meme

10 Concept sketches

After being shown all the sensors the Arduinos could use, we created ideas with a simple goal of solving an every day issue. We each came up with 10 designs and chose our favorite 3 of our own designs and then one we all really liked. Here the hot tea sensor was the one we all liked.

Stop Motion Narrative StoryBoard

Tasked with creating a narrative storyboard to present the project idea, we created this. It is a stop motion concept video describing our idea for the hot tea sensor. The sticky note pad is the sensor/pad the user would place their beverage on and the lights change depending on the temperature. When its too hot, the gate moves in front creating a wall stopping the user from grabbing the drink. Once the temperature is okay for the user to drink, the gate moves out of the way allowing the user to grab the cup. Finally if the temperature of the beverage is too cold, the gate moves back in front of the cup once again blocking the user.

Design Process

Here are some close ups of the project. The first image titled set up is a view of the gate in the back left (red, orange and yellow) on top of a Toio that blocks the user from grabbing the cup. The tea bag holder that approaches the user is in the front left is created using a cardboard container and then lego holder to ensure the container does not fall off when the Toio drives toward the user. Finally on the right, design and created by Macks is the cardboard drink holder and sensor. The top holds the lights that notify the user of the drinks temperature. inside the upper square holds the thermal sensor (as seen in the video).

The next picture is a close up of the Lego gate and Lego platforms used to hold the tea bag and the cardboard drink holder. Both of these are used to approach the user. The big green platform is what the cardboard machine sits on. Powered by two Toios as well as wheels to ensure stability. This picture also shows all 4 Toio we used for this project. We had 2 for the actual sensor/ machine, one for the gate, and the last one powering the Teabag holder.

The third image contains the inside of the cardboard box. This is where the Arduino and breadboard sit. The side links up to the lights and there is a hole on the side to plug the Arduino to the computer.

10 Refinement sketches

After looking at our base sketches we decided to make refinement sketches based on what sensors we wanted to use rather than just refine certain sketches. We narrowed it down to products using temperature sensors and proximity sensors. We then chose one temperature sensor based idea (Macks’ Tea Heat Sensor) and one proximity sensor based idea (Tian’s Nose-In Parking Assistance) as the base designs to develop 10 variants (five for each sensor) from each member. We selected 10 best refined designs to present in class and received feedback.

ThermostabiliTea

Thermostabilitea uses the Arduino Mega 2065, coupled with a breadboard, wires, an analog temperature sensor module (KY 130), 5 LEDs, 4 Toios, and some creative work with cardboard and Lego. Our motivation to design and build this device for everyday use is to solve the problem many people have with burning their mouths on drinks they think are ready for consumption, or forgetting about the said drink while waiting for it to cool until it becomes too cold.

This project leverages a simple Arduino and Toio based device where the user can set their drink into a cardboard-built cup stand. The system lets the user know when the optimal temperature of the drink is reached through LEDs. If the red light is on, the drink is too hot for consumption, and a Toio moves and creates a defensive wall at the front of the cupholder, so the user cannot reach the drink. Once the 3 green LEDs are on, the defensive wall moves out of the way, allowing the cupholder to bring the drink forward. This also triggers the Toio holding the tea bags to move forward, so the user can pick a tea bag. Once the cup holder hits 2 green LEDs, the Toio gate spins several times to remind the users about their drink. The Toio gate spins again at 1 green LED to let the user know the tea is getting cold. Once the blue LED is on, the drink has become too cold, which triggers the cupholder to move back and the defensive wall to move into the blocking position, so the user can avoid drinking undesirable cold tea.