[NOTE: name pending]
Long Time, No Hug!
For my final project, I will be creating a plush toy meant for long-distance hugs! Everyone has someone they miss. Maybe it’s distance, maybe it’s conflicting schedules, but seeing loved ones in adulthood is hard.
What’s my story?
My parents are divorced, and my mom ended up moving back to LA, where she and her family first immigrated to the US. All of her family is there and her mom is getting older. I’m so happy she moved there to be with her family, but also we miss each other so much it hurts sometimes. In my opinion, there is no cure like a mother’s hug.
I’ll be visiting my mother in December for the holidays and her birthday, and I thought it would be nice to be able to give her a special, handmade gift built with love. She is also getting surgery when I’m visiting, and I won’t be able to hug her this time around (BIG BUMMER!) so I will be able to take these plushies and absolutely SQUEEZE them whenever I need a mama cuddle.
Below is a prototype circuit for my final project:
[NOTE: I will not have a vibration motor in the final diagram]
Shopping List:
Electronics:
- Adafruit MPRLS Ported Pressure Sensor Breakout – 0 to 25 PSI
- Adafruit ESP32-S3 Reverse TFT Feather – 4MB Flash, 2MB PSRAM, STEMMA QT
- Lithium Ion Polymer Battery – 3.7v 2500mAh
- Silicone Tubing for Peristaltic Liquid Pump – 1 Meter
Fabric:
- Blue/purple fabric
- Wide Water ripple ruffles
- Line Texture Fabric
- FUZZY Fluffy sweater
- Sherpa Fleece
- 3D EMBOSSED TEXTURED CREPE
My Instructables Account: https://www.instructables.com/member/caghjayan/
My Instructables Google Doc Draft: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kiAaUb0MJ6gF6SpPkAyfUxLOBQCFguUcOG4YChD7JJU/edit?usp=sharing
Here are some inspo pics for my plushies:
My mom’s and my favorite animals, so believe it or not, I’ve chosen the two least complicated animals to make!
Here are my current sketches for looks and patterns:
How do I imagine my product video looks like?
The video will probably follow a story of missing someone and showcasing the feeling of not being able to hug them. In the video, we will showcase this product being introduced to the long-distance pair. I want to highlight the LED screen showing messages and the hug count going up, as well as displaying the happy nature this product will give after each hug AND showing how good it feels on the receiving end as well.
What are my next steps?
- Finalize Instructables document
- Shoot project video