Prototyping (Alex+Nate)

Reminder: Our product is a nightstand with two power outlets for a lamp and a phone charger. The interaction scenario is when the room is dark, a user puts his or her phone on a charger and takes a book from the stand. The lamp turns on immediately, allowing to read the book, and the charger powers on in 15 minutes, giving the user time to read the book.

Process

We started with building the very first interaction: light censor. For this functionality we used the photocell sensor and the very primitive code from Arduino tutorial.

Then, we started adding more interaction pieces to this system. To test our prototype we used a LED light first. When we were able to make it working we also added the proximity sensor into the system.

Next step was adding an AC power relay to the system to make it working with the grid power. Here's a short clip Nate texted me very late at night with "Can I get a F#*$ YEAH" message, when he managed to make it working.

Our initial idea was to use the Ikea lamp and to build in these two sensors into it, but what I admire Nate for is constantly pushing the idea further. He pitched an idea to build a nightstand with a lamp and a phone charger just a couple of weeks before the final project was due and we decided to go for it. Nate spent his own time making the stand, using laser cut machine, painting the casing and assembling it. And it turned out really great!

Here's out final product video, thanks for reading!

Final Product (Alex+Nate)

Lumiseat Final Prototype

We are proud to present our finished Lumiseat!

Our Video

Lumiseat Prototyping

For our prototype we took an existing barstool and repurposed it for our needs. We began with tearing out the staples on the bottom of the seat cover so that we could access the inside.

We sandwiched the pressure sensor between two pieces of cardboard and tucked it in between the bottom wood piece and the cushion of the seat. We also threaded our RFID up the back, hiding the wires behind the chair's padded backing. For the actual reader itself, we severed a few stitches at the top in order for it to poke through.

For our arduino and other components, we hid them within a small box fastened to the bottom side of the seat. We made a few holes within the box in order to create easy access in case we needed to change the code at any point in time.

As for the LEDS, we ultimately decided to thread them around the back of the chair instead of the seat itself. We figured this would make the state of the chair more easily visible, and also helped us create a more seamless, symmetrical look in the end since we were able to avoid too many irregular rounded edges when fastening the LEDS.

Additionally, we 3D printed a cover for the RFID reader so that it looked more integrated into the seat's design.

Lumiseat S/P/A

For our reservable seat project, Lumiseat, we have decided on certain elements in order to achieve the desired result.

Our Sensors:

The sensors we have chosen include an RFID reader as well as a force sensing resistor (FSR).

Our Processor/Actuator:

The single processor for this project is our Arduino Uno. As for the actuator we have decided to use and RGB LED strip to display the state of the seat.

Lumiseat's Process:

Each element in our S/P/A plays a particular role within the interaction with Lumiseat. Beginning with the LED strip: each color on the strip will represent a different "mode" for the chair. These modes include: open, reserved, off, and incorrect ID. 

This ID is where the RFID comes in. A person can the RFID reader to reserve the seat— the chair will only accept that person's ID to unlock it, unless their time limit (regulated by the arduino) is up. 

How will it look?

Currently, our idea for where each element will rest looks something like this. 

Final product: Petty Potty (Hannah & Netty)

Non-intrusive and out-of-sight, Petty Potty is an additional attachment to any toilet that can sense if the toilet seat has been left up by rude and inconsiderate toilet users. Once it sense that the seat is left up, after a 30 second timer for toilet use, it releases a gut-wrenching and rage-filled scream at the target user. Minimal sensors can easily be attached to the back of the bowl and under the seat, neatly tuck in the system behind the toilet, and plug it in, and you're ready to go!

With Petty Potty, even people with the worst cases of no common courtesy will learn to change their bad habits and build better ones.

Had enough already? Get petty!

 

  

  

Love,

VIDEO

Bubble Time! - Final Video & Photographs (Angela & Joo)

The Ottoman, Final Product

The Ottoman in alls is colorful and furry glory!

https://vimeo.com/306097688

Final Product: Poesi — Jack + Alex

Click here for our video demo

Prototyping — Jack + Alex

When it came to actually prototyping our project, the biggest issues we ran into were definitely with getting the load sensors to behave. Because of the way that they function, we had to design and laser cut mounts for them, so that the sensor plate had some vertical travel.

Additionally, wiring these sensors up caused us a lot of trouble. Each sensor has three total wires coming out of it: one that runs to a specific input on the amplifier, one that runs to the adjacent load sensor and one that runs to the diagonal load sensor, creating a loop where they can all communicate with one another. 

This aspect of these sensors was especially painful when it came to soldering all the wires to add enough length for them to work with our bench. We ended up extending each wire by about 60 inches in length to be safe. 

The load sensors also had a big impact in the way that we had to design the physical structure. Not only did the sensors require some amount of vertical travel to work, but the surface resting on top of them had to have some give as well. To address this, we designed the bench so that the sensors could sit on top of each leg of the bench, with the top resting on top of the sensors, all within the frame of the seat. 

Build Process

UW School of Art Wood Shop

Measuring out boards to be cut

Part 2

Cutting boards to proper length

Part 2

Cutting plywood top to proper dimensions

Assembling frame with power drill and screws

Priming and painting bench

Finalizing code before final assembly

Receipt iterations

This ones uh a real head scratcher

Testing print quality

Expert level cable management