Project planning
Details
| Date | Module name | Final project part |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 01 | computer-aided design | 3D modeling of the pebble |
| Feb 08 | computer-controlled cutting | engraving test of the ring, wood and mask |
| Feb 13 | parametric, algorithmic, generative design | flower patern generation? |
| Feb 15 | embedded programming | starting programation of esp |
| Feb 22 | 3D scanning and printing | print plastic version of the pellet |
| Mar 01 | electronics design | designing pcb |
| Mar 08 | computer-controlled machining | millling wood structure and top part mold |
| Mar 15 | electronics production | crating pcb |
| Mar 22 | molding and casting | casting resin for the top part of the pebble |
| Mar 30 | output devices | controlling leds, mp3 player(?) and vibration motors |
| Apr 05 | mechanical design, machine design | |
| Apr 12 | break, midterm review | |
| Apr 19 | input devices | dealing with light sensor, switch and capacitive sensor(?) |
| Apr 26 | networking and communications | control pebble parameters wirelessly |
| May 03 | interface and application programming | creating UI for pebble |
| May 10 | wildcard week | |
| May 17 | applications and implications | |
| May 24 | invention, intellectual property, and income | |
| May 31 | project development |
Introduction
My idea for the final project is to create a device to help people to relax helping them to do “Heart coherence” exercices. The principle is to self control our breathing at a specific rate around 5 breathing per minutes.
Heart Coherence is a physiological state characterized by synchrony between the heart rate variability (HRV) and breathing. It is used as a tool for managing stress and promoting well-being. The principle is to regulate breathing at a certain rate to bring the heart rate into a specific pattern, which has been shown to improve stress management, emotional regulation, and overall health.
During her pregnency my grirlfriend has to do those excercices during 5 minutes several times a day to prevent stress. Now that our daugther is born, sources of stress are differents but still numerous but the habit to makes thoses exercices is difficult to keep. Here is born the idea of a device to help to (at least try) to stay relaxed.
There is several existing tools to do so like this youtube video:
If you are interrested, the goal is to inhale slowly and deeply while the ball is raising, then exhale slowly when it go down. Try to maintain this slow breathing pattern for several minutes when you feel stressed or need to calm down.
There is already some mobile-phone apps to help in those exercices:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.martinforget.cardiaccoherencelite&hl=en&gl=US
The object
My idea is to create an object in a pebble form that will help you to breath in rythm and remind you to do your exercices. It can sit on your office desk and flash lights to reminds you to relax regularly will working. It can be bring in you pocket and help you pratice even with closed eyes thanks to embedded vibration motors . You will have to touch the pebble to launch an 5 minutes exercices. An array of rgb leds will display a colored light parttern going from the center to the edges of the device at a low frequency. The effect is not easy to describe with words, I will come back here with a video as soon as I made a quick prototype with neopixel rgb led strip…
Photomontage of the meditation pebble in hands
3D rendering of the pebble with Fusion360
Components
My goal is to have an aestehic “multimaterial” object, with a base milled in wood with CNC, the cover molded in resin and a ring in metal wich can be customized by milling or engraving text (like mantras) or geometrical paterns, flowers etc…
splitted view of the pebble (without battery and pcb)
The top layer is not an lcd but a fixed image, however, one can choose our favorite patern changing the mask before molding resin on it. Or perhaps it can be simply a mask under a transparent resin cover, we will see during prototyping!
Different masks for customisation
Schematics of the lighting part of the project
Base Options
- Ambiant light detection to adjust leds brightness
- Multimaterial: wood, brass, resin (natural would be better)
- Customisation: brass/wood engraving, mask choice on resin
- Vibrations in rythm, cat purring style, heart beat
- Side buttons for on/off and mode selection: light, vibrations or both
- Capacitive or ir sensor to aknowledge/refuse session request
- Works on battery for at least 3 days at 5 sessions/day
Smart phone connexion
- Bluetooth smart phone connexion
- Choose frequency of meditation call
- Choose prefered time ranges if used at work for example
- Record duration and count of sessions
- Choose prefered color panel
- Adjust vibration intensity
- Enable/disable auto light level
- Automaticaly set Phone into plane mode
- Battery monitor
Options to investigate
- Integrated mp3 player with preloaded sound and a jack plug for music ?
- HP integrated ?
- Use as smooth alarm clock ?