Final Project
Week 01
My final project stems from curiosity and the desire to create something truly meaningful. At Grullas Design, I specialize in crafting both handmade and digitally fabricated objects, with the goal of bringing products to life that connect with people. One of the items I am most passionate about creating is crib mobiles for babies. Among the animals I love the most are whales, whose elegance and majesty have always inspired me.
From there, the idea for my final project was born: to create an electronic toy that goes beyond just being a simple crib mobile. I want it to be an interactive object that stimulates the baby through their visual sense, combining light and movement in an attractive and relaxing way.
The idea is for this toy to have a smooth and harmonious movement, like a whale swimming in the water, but instead of moving freely, it will be suspended from a fixed point, such as the ceiling or a holder. The exciting part of this toy is that, upon detecting the baby opening their eyes, it will automatically activate: it will start moving slowly, and a soft light will turn on, ensuring it won’t harm their vision. Additionally, it will include a motion sensor to make the experience even more interactive and immersive.
My primary user for this project is babies. I want this toy not only to provide visual stimulation but also to create a calming atmosphere, helping them enjoy a sense of calm as they watch the movement and light, contributing to their sensory development.
Sketches
Here I present some sketches of the project idea. Initially, I designed whales that would be suspended by pulleys. However, after some feedback from my instructor Cristian and Roberto, we concluded that it would be better to integrate all the electronic components inside the whale, making it the central object that holds the "soul" of the project.
Tentative schedule
I have created a tentative schedule to organize myself and make progress with the final project, while I continue learning to use the tools provided by the Fab Academy program.
| Phase |
Start Date |
End Date |
Progress |
| Review and Planning |
April 22 |
April 28 |
60% |
| Electronics |
April 29 |
May 5 |
50% |
| Programming and I/O Integration |
May 6 |
May 12 |
20% |
| Mechanical Design and Fabrication |
May 13 |
May 19 |
0% |
| System Integration and Testing |
May 20 |
May 26 |
0% |
| Documentation and Presentation |
May 27 |
June 2 |
10% |
| Final Adjustments |
June 3 |
June 8 |
0% |
| Final Presentation |
June 9 |
June 13 |
0% |
Week 02
For week 02, I worked with Blender, where I was brainstorming how the cradle pendant idea would look. This is an important step in the project process.
Week 04
Each week is a journey of continuous learning. As the weeks go by, I keep gaining new knowledge and gradually refining it to apply it to my final project.
During Week 4, I researched microcontrollers and found the XIAO RP2040 board to be very interesting and versatile—I've decided to use it for my final project.
This week also allowed me to dive deeper into programming, which I consider a valuable step forward. Deciding on the board to use is a key milestone in the development of my project and represents meaningful progress toward its implementation.
Week 06
During Week 6, I learned how to design an electronic board. It took time and effort, but I was able to successfully complete it.
The process was challenging but also very rewarding, as it allowed me to apply everything I’ve learned so far.The board I designed will be an important component of my final project, so this progress marks a key step in its development.
🔗 You can see more details here: Week 6 – Electronics Design
Week 08
During Week 8, we were assigned the task of fabricating an electronic board, applying the knowledge we had previously gained in PCB design and the use of tools like design software and milling machines.
The process included preparing the design file, setting up the milling parameters, and using the mini milling machine to physically produce the board.
I successfully fabricated my own board, which was a very rewarding experience and helped me better understand the electronic production process.
🔗 You can see more details here: Week 8 – Electronics Production
Week 09
During Week 9, I explored programming with sensors. It was a very valuable experience because it helped me better understand how electronic components interact with the environment through code.
One of the components I tested was the touch sensor, which I plan to include in my final project. This sensor can detect finger contact or proximity, making it an interesting and useful tool for user interaction.
Through this assignment, I learned how to program sensors and interpret input data, which is essential for continuing the development of my final project.
🔗 You can see more details here: Week 9 – Input Devices
Week 10
During Week 10, we worked with output devices. Although I wasn’t fully satisfied with the components I tested, I truly value the programming knowledge I gained during this week.
It was a great opportunity to continue exploring and understanding how different outputs can be controlled by the microcontroller.
🔗 You can see more details here: Week 10 – Output Devices
Week 11
In Week 11, we worked on network communication, and one of the most valuable takeaways for me was learning how to control a NeoPixel as an output. I learned how to program it and how to effectively apply it in my final project.
Although I experimented with the XIAO ESP32-C3 to communicate via MQTT, the microcontroller I will use for my final project is the XIAO RP2040.
Still, this experience helped me understand how to interact with devices over the network and use that data to control outputs like a NeoPixel.
🔗 You can see more details here: Week 11 – Networking and Communication
Week 12
In Week 12, we worked on a machine called VibroBot – A Sound-Driven Kinetic Machine. For this project, I wanted to include light as a key element of the interaction, and I learned a lot about how to control a NeoPixel using inputs—in this case, the KY-038 sound sensor.
This sensor allowed me to detect sound changes and make the light move in sync with the music, creating a dynamic and visually engaging effect.
I'm still not sure if I’ll include a sound sensor in my final project, but what I really enjoyed was exploring the creative potential of the NeoPixel.
This week inspired me to consider how I might use this kind of interaction in a more artistic setup, like recreating a crib mobile that responds to sound with light.
🔗 You can see more details here: Week 12 – NMechanical Design, Machine Design