Project Development


Tasks Completed

Throughout the project, the following tasks have been successfully completed:

  • Circuit Design and Assembly
  • Enclosure Design and 3D Printing
  • Mobile App Programming
  • Product Testing
Tasks Remaining

All the tasks have been completed, except for resolving the issue with the battery charger provided by the ESP32C3. This appears to be a known manufacturing issue affecting multiple users.

What Has Worked?

The project has been successful in achieving its goals. The circuit design, enclosure, and mobile app have all worked as intended. The key finder device effectively emits sound when covered and can be controlled through the mobile app. Users can easily locate their misplaced keys or other objects.

What Hasn't Worked?

An unresolved issue is the battery charger provided by the ESP32C3. Some users, including myself, have encountered problems with the charging circuit and powering. This suggests a manufacturing issue with certain ESP32C3 units.

Questions to Be Resolved

Efforts are being made to address the battery charger issue and find potential workarounds or solutions. However, it should be noted that this is a known problem affecting multiple users, suggesting a manufacturing issue with the ESP32C3. for me I resolve that by powering it using 5V and GND pins

Timeline

The project was initiated two weeks ago with the following timeline:

  • Circuit Design and Manufacturing: Started two weeks ago, completed within the first week.
  • Prototyping, Soldering, and Testing Circuit: Completed within the first week.
  • Enclosure Design and 3D Printing: Initiated during the first week, finalized within the second week after multiple design iterations and testing.
  • Designing Packaging and Logo: Started in the second week using laser cutter and vinyl cutter.
Time and Resources Management

Originally, my plan was to create two devices: one as a remote and the other as a target that would emit sound. However, due to limited time and resources, I encountered an unexpected setback. The microcontroller I was using accidentally got damaged when I mishandled a heat gun. Unfortunately, obtaining a replacement microcontroller would take a significant amount of time, as it needed to be sourced from outside the country.

Given the time constraints, I had to quickly reassess the situation and devise an alternative solution. Instead of waiting for a new microcontroller, I decided to pivot my project and utilize a mobile application to control the target. This allowed me to work with the resources that were readily available, saving valuable time.

This shift in plan let me learn the ability to adapt and make effective decisions in the face of unforeseen challenges. By promptly recognizing the limitations imposed by the damaged microcontroller and the extended delivery time for a replacement, I was able to adjust my project scope and find a viable alternative that still aligned with my goals.

Through this experience, I learned the importance of being flexible and resourceful in project management. It reinforced the need to assess and reassess the available resources, evaluate potential risks, and make strategic decisions to ensure project progression within the given time constraints.

Final Project Schedule


Date Activities
24/5/2023 Begin final project preparation
25/5/2023 Create circuit boards for remote and target devices
26/5/2023 off
27-28/5/2023 Program a mobile application using MIT App Inventor
29/5/2023 Solder components onto the circuit boards
30/5/2023 Take measurements of the target board for the enclosure design & Design the target enclosure using Fusion 360
31/5/2023 Print the first version of the target enclosure using a 3D printer
1/6/2023 Modify the design based on measurement errors and reprint the target enclosure
2/6/2023 Encounter and resolve problems with 3D printing the modified target enclosure
3/6/2023 Begin the assembly process, combining all the components to create the target device
4/6/2023 Work on designing the packaging for the product using a laser cutter
5/6/2023 Continue working on the packaging design
6/6/2023 Complete the packaging design
7/6/2023 cut and assemble the packaging, including gluing
8/6/2023 Use a vinyl cutter and Inkscape software to create a sticker for the project logo
9/6/2023 Focus on documentation preparation
10/6/2023 Work on creating the final video and slides for the project presentation
11/6/2023 Continue refining the video and slides
12/6/2023 Finalize the documentation, video, and slides
13/6/2023 Review and make any necessary adjustments to the project and test it & Practice and prepare for the final presentation
14/6/2023 Present the final project