Category: Final Project

In our bustling, noisy environment, everyday life constantly bombards us with a whirlwind of emotions. In the midst of this, there are moments when solitude becomes a necessity; an opportunity to be alone with ourselves, to reflect and find peace in our own company.

In Chinese Culture, people celled this behavior: “bead meditation“

“People can use the practice of bead meditation to aid in their meditation. By rhythmically counting or touching each bead, individuals can focus their mind and achieve a state of calmness and mindfulness. This practice not only helps in centering thoughts but also serves as a physical anchor, guiding practitioners through a meditative journey and helping them to maintain a steady pace in their contemplation or prayer.”

“I’ve always felt that meditation could help me calm my mind. Being a night owl, I often find it hard to fall asleep due to my tendency to overthink at night. This behavior leads to various physical discomforts. I am considering whether a device could help me better calm my mind and enhance my spiritual energy.”

Concept Creations

Shapes exploration, i did some craft modeling about the different kind of shapes:

I have been stuck on the physical design of the product for a long time. I have never been able to properly integrate the shape that makes people feel calm.

Then i saw this picture:

I saw lotus flowers growing and blooming in the water and in the mountains. The mist in the mountains is the atmosphere we need to do what we need.

Then i did the final modeling

So, i wanna to name my project as: Lotus

The removable smart bead is the

Magnet switch of the device. Magnets are under the

Part list：

• Wires
• Hall effect sensor
• 5v DC Fan
• 5v Atomizer
• Multimeter
• Soldering Machine

https://www.instructables.com/Lotus-Aroma-Diffuser/

Introducing a unique interactive device that blends Arduino microphone sound sensors and touch-sensitive design. It is shaped like a dandelion, users can blow gently, triggering a mesmerizing interplay of sound and visuals on the connected computer’s Touch Designer display. This interactive creation serves as a personalized stress-relief mechanism and a whimsical platform for making wishes, offering individuals a delightful escape and moments of tranquility in their daily lives.

Because this is a final project, I really want to undertake something challenging. Due to my strong interest in dynamic visual effects, I’ve decided to learn TouchDesigner and attempt to integrate it with Arduino to create some interesting interactions.

Materials Used:

1. Adafruit Metro 328 with Headers – ATmega328
2.  Sound Microphone Sensor
3. White LED Diode Light
4. Cotton – Make dandelions
5.  Pearl Beads
6. Wire 2m- dandelion stem
7. Clear Fillable Ornaments Ball 50mm
8. Wood Board 11mm thick
9. Silver Metallic Paper A3
10.  Clear Colorless Acrylic Round Tube
11. Laptop

Coding & Testing

Making Progress

Instructable Tutorial

https://www.instructables.com/Blooming-Make-a-Wish/

Storytelling & Video Demo

Development

For the future development of this project, I believe there are several aspects to explore. Firstly, the exploration of more portable sensors and display devices could be considered. Secondly, there is room for optimizing the visual effects in TouchDesigner, combining with more user-centric research, to create transformations that truly help people relax, soothe their moods, and alleviate stress. The ultimate goal is to transform this project into an artistic therapeutic device, which was the initial inspiration I had on this project.

Closing Remarks: This project has been quite challenging for me, but in the process of exploration, I’ve also discovered a lot of new joys. A special thanks to those who have helped me, especially to Becky, Vince, Elaine, and Haley. Every time in this course, I’ve learned new things, used new tools, and expressed a different aspect of myself, which is truly precious to me.

Project description:

My topic is digital faith, how is the digital changing the way we believe?Will our faith continue to exist in a more digital age, and will people create new digital gods? Or make a pilgrimage to a digital screen?

I made up a digital Buddha.Insert the electronic incense into the incense burner, and the machine will print the result of your request.

Video:

Parts, Tools, Supplies:

Arduino uno/ Print module / Power supply 12v /Photoelectric module/ Soldering iron & solder / Wire strippers/ USB A-B cable/Dupont wire

Code:

Circuit Diagram:

Design style：

Production process:

1. Design the shape of electronic Buddha and Incantation paper，and make each part of the entity
2. Welding screen and put the electronic Buddha on my screen
3. Weld each part according to the circuit diagram（connected each component (Photoelectric module and Print module) to the circuit board with wires respectively）
4. Enter the code
5. Debug the picture code and debug its rendering effect in the print module
6. Test the code
7. Upload the final code
8. Use wood to make boxes for sticking incense and to make boxes for printing parts
9. Assemble the circuit into the case of each component

①Fabrication circuit

②Manufacture wooden box

Final product diagram:

Instructable link:

https://www.instructables.com/Digital-Buddha-Installation/

Instructables

If there is someone in your life who needs support taking their medication, chances are you’ve looked into medication management systems like Hero. Not only are they expensive, they look clunky and clinical on your grandmother’s kitchen counter. This customizable MedSync Notifier offers a tech-free way for people with memory loss to send their caregivers a confirmation they’ve taken their am or pm dose. Build trust with your loved one as they maintain their (assisted) independence and give you peace of mind.

This project was inspired by my experience supporting a woman named Mary in taking her medication (to make sure she doesn’t miss a dose) and keeping her family updated. I’m not always around to check during the time frame so I’ll give her a call. But if she doesn’t pick up, I start to worry. I wished there was an easier way for us to communicate pill status and now it’s possible with the MedsSync notifier!

And TaDa! This project was a huge hit with Mary, who loves the mushroom design and finds pushing the light-up button after taking her medication “very exciting!”.

Process

Next steps
Refine the form for a more polished look. I still think the “ceramic” is the right aesthetic for this project and the design blends nicely with Mary’s decor. I’ll probably go ahead and solder the wires so they take up less room in the compartment. I would also like to spend more time on the naming conventions so that the notification reads less like spam.

Purpose: In today’s world digital connections often contribute to overstimulation, our text-fax printer allows you to feel connected to your loved ones, no matter how far, while staying unplugged. Designed for moments when you might feel too anxious to be on your phone, but too lonely to stay off your phone, this device allows selected text messages to be printed with the push of a button. You can stay unplugged while receiving words of encouragement from a chosen support system.

Function: Using an Arduino Thermal printer, and hooking it up to a wifi board (which communicates to an IO server), print out text messages with a hashtag #unplugged.

Instructables: https://www.instructables.com/Unplugged-a-Text-Fax-Machine/

Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iV3wg07PS-lGe5Jdz2KdFI-DgMBBQsuD/view?usp=sharing

Process (Code & Form & Construction)

Get serial Monitor to print out messages sent

void setup() {
  // Set button pin as input
  pinMode(BUTTON_PIN, INPUT_PULLUP);
  // Start the serial communication
  Serial.begin(115200);
  // Connect to Adafruit IO
  io.connect();
  // Subscribe to the "Text-Fax" feed
  textFaxFeed->onMessage(receiveMessage);

}

void loop() {
  // Ensure the connection to Adafruit IO is maintained
  io.run();
  // Read the state of the button
  buttonState = digitalRead(BUTTON_PIN);
  // Check if the button is pressed
  if (buttonState == LOW) {
    Serial.print("New Message: ");
    Serial.println(lastReceivedMessage);
    Serial.print("#unplugged \n");
  }

}

void receiveMessage(AdafruitIO_Data *data) {
  // Update the last received message
  lastReceivedMessage = data->toString();
  
}

Get printer to work

• On Metro
• On Huzzah

Additional Parts?

Adding a Logic Shifter for the Printer on the Huzzah

Form

Back to Code

For the video, I ended up wiring my button to the printer and then printing on button push. I made a stack of random text messages and with every button push it would push out a message.

After the video I kept trying back at communicating between my metro and huzzah board with little success.

Future

I am going to keep trying to get the boards to talk to each other so they can actually print out the recieved text messages with the wifi. I think the video is pretty convincing but it would be amazing to feel that real success of it.

I also am right now using IFTTT, which limits to just me texting a certain number which was great for this project testing but in product form this would have to be its own server. It would also need to extend beyond text messages to also whatspp, bolin, wechat, and other messaging apps.

In terms of the form, I would want to see if there is a more sleek way of the printer in the book, it is tough because of size limitations. But if I took out the body of the printer and just used the mechanics I might be able to make it downsize.

Overall I learned a lot from this project, and it makes me really excited about other IoT projects. I want to keep honing this skills that we learned from this class. I think it was a great way to massage my brain as an engineer and a designer at the same time, and it makes me want to be more ambitious with my projects as well.

Instructable

https://www.instructables.com/Weather-Clock-2/

Video

Making Process

Description

Project’s purpose

Have you forget to check the weather and go out without an umbrella? The Acrylic Weather Clock — an elegant weather forecasting device. Decorating your entryway with this stylish piece, and conveniently access weather forecast information before stepping out!

This product aims to provide visual aesthetics through the overlapping effects of acrylic layers rather than functionalities.

Function

Adjusting the pointer according to weather changes to indicate the current weather.

Future projections

By combining more weather elements and colors, we can create a more beautiful diffused light effect.