Assignment Brief:

1. Show how the design and operations of your Final Project are cleanly integrated together.

Project Brief

Project Title: "In the Bazaars of Hyderabad" – A Storytelling Book Nook

This project reimagines the Kavaad—a traditional Rajasthani storytelling box—as a modern Book Nook. Using layered panels and diorama-style elements, it brings to life the vibrant scenes of a bustling Indian bazaar described in Naidu’s poem. The form blends nostalgia, literature, and feminine voices into an immersive microcosm.

Project description

Narrative Revelation (Storytelling Function): Like the Kavaad, the Book Nook unfolds the poem "In the Bazaars of Hyderabad" in layers or scenes. The setting consists of 6 house models as the 6 stanza of the poem. Each hinged panel or miniature tableau reveals a stanza of the poem visually, almost like turning pages or opening windows into the bazaar.

Visual & Emotional Immersion (Sensory Engagement): Through crafted miniatures, textures, colors, and lighting, the viewer is transported into the world of poem. It evokes sight, sound, and smell metaphorically—for example: Mini saffron sacks for spice vendors Tiny musical instruments for musicians Flower garlands for brides and funerals This turns words into form.

Cultural and Poetic Preservation (Educational Role): The model serves as a learning object—a poetic, cultural, and artistic artefact that: Honors Sarojini Naidu’s literary work Revives the Kavaad storytelling format Educates users about India’s crafts, colors, and rituals

Design Utility

This approach blends storytelling, poetry, and spatial design, making the piece both a narrative artifact and a sculptural theatrical. ideal for:

Set Design (Miniature Stagecraft)

Bookstores

Cultural exhibitions

Educational spaces

Home décor with meaning

Market Research

As part of my research, I explored existing products that merge storytelling, craftsmanship, and immersive form. One standout inspiration was the work of By Anavrin brand known for its intricately handcrafted Book Nooks and diorama art. Their work validated the growing market appeal for literary and cultural miniatures, and it strengthened my decision to ground my own piece in Indian cultural narratives and poetic heritage. While By Anavrin explores mostly fictional or fantasy settings, my project brings in the traditional Indian Kavaad format and historical poetic storytelling, adding a unique cultural and literary layer.

Interactive Book Nook: Design Description & Components

Panel A: Fruit Shop

Input: Touch Sensor

Output: LED

Effect: Lights up a fruit basket when touched, reflecting the vibrancy of a produce stall.

Panel B: Pottery Shop

Input: IR Sensor

Output: DC Motor

Effect: Rotating display stand for pottery items.

Panel C: Clothes Shop with Mannequin

Input: Ultrasonic Sensor

Output: LED Display

Effect: Activates or display visuals of the shop when a viewer approaches.

Panel D: Perfume Shop

Input:Touch Sensor

Output: Servo with Cam/Follower Mechanism

Effect: Simulates Spices mixing by artisans through mechanical animation.

Panel E: Music Shop

Input: Switch

Output: Speaker + MP3 Player

Effect: Plays background music or poetic recitation.

Shared Elements

Controller: Xiao RP2040

Trigger Mechanism: Coin Slot/Sensor for activation

All shops are interpretations of the poem "In the Bazaars of Hyderabad" by Sarojini Naidu.

Component Summary

Type	Components
Sensors	Touch, IR, Ultrasonic, Coin Switch
Outputs	LEDs, Servo Motors, DC Motors, LED Display, Speaker
Control	Seeed Xiao RP2040 Microcontroller
Audio	MP3 Player Module
Mechanics	Cam-Follower, Rotating Platforms

System Integration Overview

Structural Framework
• The entire house structure is 3D printed using PLA — including brown textured PLA and white PLA.
• The base platform is crafted from 3mm veneer plywood, providing a sturdy mount for all elements.
• Mirror acrylic is used for reflective surfaces like mirrors or faux windows.
• Transparent sheets and butter paper are used for diffusing light or creating window panels.
• Chart papers, file cards, and paper prints add detailed textures and decoration.

Aesthetic Finishing
• Painted using acrylic paints (golden, skin, orange, white, and black).
• Surface details applied with sponges and brushes.
• All parts are fixed using Fevicol and Feviquick.

Electronics & Interactive System
• Uses 3 x Seeed XIAO RP2040 microcontrollers for modular control — each handling one functional zone of the model.
• A 12V battery power bank serves as the main power source.
• LM7805 voltage regulator is used to convert 12V to 5V.
• Relay module controls high-power components like LED strips.

Input Sensors
• Touch Sensors (2) — for touch-activated events.
• IR Sensor — for proximity detection.
• Ultrasonic Sensor — to detect approaching objects or users.
• Coin Switch — simulates manual input or activation.

Output Sensors
• LEDs (8) — for visual feedback.
• Warm Yellow LED Strip — ambient lighting for aesthetic appeal.
• LED Display — displays messages or interaction prompts.
• DC Motor — for rotating small decorative features.
• Servo Motors (2) — to control precise movement like rotating parts or lifting elements.
• Speaker with MP3 Player Module — plays sound effects or recorded messages.

Panel-Wise Integration

Each interactive panel or section of the house includes:

• An input sensor (Touch, IR, Ultrasonic, Switch).
• An output element (LED, Motor, Display, Speaker).
• A dedicated XIAO RP2040 microcontroller managing that specific panel.

This modular design allows every functional unit to work independently while being part of the whole system. This ensures easy debugging, flexibility, and scalability.

BOM

Planning

Electronics

PCB Design

The complete model is divided in two Xaios as controllers the left and the right.

Design

Working on the DFA of each model.

Other components

Code for one unit

      #include 

        #define TOUCH_SENSOR_1 D0  // Touch sensor 1 at D0 (Servo control)
        #define TOUCH_SENSOR_2 D2  // Touch sensor 2 at D2 (LED control)
        #define SERVO_PIN D3       // Servo motor at D3
        #define LED_PIN D10        // LED at D10
        
        Servo myServo;
        
        void setup() {
          Serial.begin(115200);  // Start Serial Monitor
          
          myServo.attach(SERVO_PIN);  // Attach the servo to pin D3
          myServo.write(0);  // Start at 0°
          
          pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT);  // Set LED pin as output
          digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW);  // Turn off LED initially
        }
        
        void loop() {
          int touchValue1 = analogRead(TOUCH_SENSOR_1);  // Read first touch sensor
          int touchValue2 = analogRead(TOUCH_SENSOR_2);  // Read second touch sensor
        
          Serial.print("Touch Sensor 1: ");
          Serial.print(touchValue1);
          Serial.print(" | Touch Sensor 2: ");
          Serial.println(touchValue2);
        
          // If first sensor is touched, rotate servo
          if (touchValue1 > 600) {  // Adjust threshold as needed
            Serial.println("Touch detected on Sensor 1! Rotating Servo...");
            myServo.write(180);  // Move to 180°
            delay(3000);         // Wait for 3 seconds
            myServo.write(0);    // Move back to 0°
            Serial.println("Returning to 0°");
          }
        
          // If second sensor is touched, blink LED
          if (touchValue2 > 600) {  // Adjust threshold as needed
            Serial.println("Touch detected on Sensor 2! Blinking LED...");
            digitalWrite(LED_PIN, HIGH);  // Turn LED ON
            delay(500);
            digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW);   // Turn LED OFF
            delay(500);
          }
        
          delay(300);  // Small delay to avoid flooding Serial Monitor
        }
        
        
    

Tested the code. Learnt that a BO motor required a mosfet so working over it.

Super excited! work in progress