18.Applications and Implications, Project Development
1. What will it do?
I am going to make a vest with the following features:
- The vest will protect people at night.
- The vest will be very practical because it will be easy to put on and take off.
- The vest will have LED lights and a proximity sensor.
2. Who has done what beforehand?
I reviewed other related projects and found some that inspire mine.
In my research, I found a mirror with several features, one of which is a motion sensor that lights up the mirror when it detects movement.
Another idea I found was a vest that protects people at night using integrated LED lights that make them visible.
3. What will I design?
- Patterns for the vest
- A PCB and LED module designs
- The mold design for the sensor and the case for the main PCB
4. What materials and components will be used?
5. Where will they come from?
6. How much will they cost?
Cost of the product
| Product | Quantity | Mexican pesos | Dollars | Store |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XIAO ESP32 C6 | 1 | 128.00 | 6.64 | Unit Electronics |
| Thread | 6 | 174.00 | 9.03 | Unit Electronics |
| Sensor LV-EZ0 MB1000 | 1 | 613.00 | 31.81 | Amazon |
| Rechargeable battery | 1 | 390.00 | 20.24 | Radio Shack |
| Velcro | 1 | 36.00 | 1.87 | Deportextil |
| Black zipper | 1 | 6.00 | 0.31 | Deportextil |
| Fabric "Pinguino" | 1 | 89.00 | 4.62 | Deportextil |
| Fabric "Kyoto" | 1.5 | 114.00 | 5.92 | Deportextil |
| LEDs SMD | 10 | N/A | N/A | Fab Lab |
| Resistors 1260 0Ω | 4 | N/A | N/A | Fab Lab |
| Resistors 1260 270Ω | 10 | N/A | N/A | Fab Lab |
| Resistors 1260 330Ω | 1 | N/A | N/A | Fab Lab |
| Resistors 1260 10kΩ | 1 | N/A | N/A | Fab Lab |
| MOSFET N 30V | 1 | N/A | N/A | Fab Lab |
| Female pins | 1 | N/A | N/A | Fab Lab |
| Phenolic plate | 1 | N/A | N/A | Fab Lab |
| Wire cable | 3 | N/A | N/A | Fab Lab |
| Total cost | $1,550.00 | $80.44 |
7. What parts and systems will be made?
- 3D-printed case for the sensor
- PCB for the microcontroller and LED/resistor modules
- Molding and casting for the main PCB case
- Laser cutting for vest pattern and LED modules
- Vinyl cutting for the logo on the vest
8. What processes will be used?
- 2D design
- 3D design
- 3D printing
- Laser cutting
- Vinyl cutting
- Electronics production (milling machine)
- Molding and casting
- Textile sublimation
- Interface and Application Programming
9. What questions need to be answered?
- How will I control the current to the LEDs?
- How can I make the vest washable?
- How can I make the vest look futuristic without looking like a Christmas tree?
10. How will it be evaluated?
- The sensor must detect at a proper distance.
- The LEDs should turn on when the sensor detects movement.
- The module must be well integrated, avoiding short circuits in the conductive thread.
- The vest must be controlled by Bluetooth
11. What tasks have been completed?
- Vest pattern and sewing
- Sensor case
- LED module with conductive thread
- Communication between XIAO, LEDs, and sensor
- Molding and casting of electronics case
12. What tasks remain?
- Ensure the sensor measures correct distance
- Finish cable integration and soldering
- Assemble and close the vest with all modules inside
- Create my aplication
13. What has worked? What hasn't?
The code and the analog reading of the sensor have worked.
The sensor gives me different distance readings with my new microcontroller, so I need to readjust the code.
14. What questions need to be resolved?
Will the sensor detect properly at night and while people are walking?
15. What will happen when?
When the correct microcontroller arrives, I will test the sensor with it.
16. What have you learned?
I learned how to solve problems, manage my time, and understand how inputs and outputs work. Throughout the process, I also improved my ability to document my work, plan ahead, and adapt when things didn’t go as expected. I became more comfortable working with microcontrollers, sensors, and different programming environments. In addition, I learned how to combine technical and creative thinking—especially when designing wearable technology that is both functional and meaningful. This project helped me gain confidence in working with electronics, digital fabrication tools, and integrating them into real-world applications. It also taught me the value of collaboration, iteration, and being patient with the learning process.