17. Implications and Applications¶
This week I began to define my final project, and understand my goals for my project, and other implications for my project.
Considerations¶
This week is all about considering different aspects of my final project. Here’s the list of considertaions that I had to make for this week.
What will it do? Who’s done what beforehand? What will you design? What materials and components will be used? Where will come from? How much will they cost? What parts and systems will be made? What processes will be used? What questions need to be answered? How will it be evaluated?
Explaining my project¶
Before answering the list of questions for this week, I first want to explain the general idea of my project, since I’ve changed it a bit since my original idea in week one. I’m still continuing with the idea of a self-following wagon, but instead of designing it for the beach, I’m going to work with fellow Fab student Griffin Ossinger, to design a wagon to carry his seed planting system, outlined in his Implications and applications week. The wagon will automatically follow a person, and hold Griffin’s seed planting system in order for it to be succesful.
Who’s done what beforehand¶
The type of project that I’ve done is known as a “Follow me” project, which there’s been many types of.
Another using an ultrasonic sensor
What I haven’t been able to find is an example of a follow me project using a ToF sensor.
What will you design/what parts and systems will you make?¶
Here’s a list of how I will apply each week of skills of Fab Academy into my design. This list does not include Principles and practices, Wildcard week, Mid term review, or any of the weeks directly related to my final project
Computer-Aided Design: Designing parts like wagon, mounts for sensors, etc.
Computer-Controlled Cutting: Electronics/Battery casing
Embedded Programming: Programing a Seeed studio XIAO rp2040 to peform the required functions
3D Scanning and Printing: 3d printing mold for the wheel, mounts for sensors on wagon.
Electronics Design: Creating a board that uses the XIAO rp2040 and connects to needed input and output devices
Computer-Controlled Machining: Milling the wagon
Electronics Production: Milling board made using electronics design skills
Mechanical Design, Machine Design: Making design considerations for the wagon and wheels.
Input Devices: VL53l1X or other time of flight/distance ranging sensor, button to start wagon, other considerations for inputs will be outlined under “What materials and components…”
Moulding and Casting: Molding and casting set of wheels and tires for the wagon
Output Devices: Motors to control and steer the wagon, some sort of output to show the user what funtions of the wagon are happening other considerations for outputs will be outlined under “What materials and components…”
Embedded Networking and Communications: I2C to communicate with sensors. Maybe wireless networking to communicate with user’s phone, see below.
Interface and Application Programming: Interface to control the wagon from the users phone, could be an alternative to ToF sensors.
What questions still need to asked¶
The biggest uncertainty that I have is what kind of system I’ll use to follow the user. Right now, I plan on using multiple VL53l1X sensors to create a basic LIDAR system to detect a person, and set the following distance close enough that there won’t be interference. However, I’m also considering IR and Bluetooth systems. The other consideration I need to make is the steering system for the wagon, my options are either having 2 motors in the back that will drive certain directions to steer left or right, or a servo motor in the front wheels. Right now, I plan on using a servo motor because it will be easier to integrate with the rest of the following system.
Materials considertaions¶
There’s still a few questions about materials that I need to answer, so I’m not comftorable with making a full Bill of Materials yet, howwever, here are the parts that I’m plainning on using right now, their costs, and how I will source them.
Following system (See above): 3 VL53L1X ToF sensors,
How it will be evaluated¶
Here are the current evaluation criteria that I have designed for myself
- The wagon must follow a designated person and only that person at a resonable distance
- The wagon must avoid other objects
- The wagon must integrate with the seed planting system