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The Development of the idea

The New Idea

The original idea was to place the entire device inside the puffin hole and use Lo-Ra for communication. However, after further consideration, I realized that placing the entire device inside the puffin hole might not be ideal. Instead, I decided to position the main device outside the hole, with only the step response sensor placed inside. This approach minimizes disturbance to the puffins while still collecting valuable data.

Future development

Perhaps later, I am also considering including an AI camera or a microphone in the design, with the data stored on an SD card for later analysis. The AI camera could identify when a puffin has a fish to log that information. While this could be quite complex, it would be incredibly interesting if feasible.

Plan for each week

This is the current plan for each week on how i can do projects related to my final project.

Date Assignment What will be done in final project
Jan 22 Principles and practices
Jan 29 Computer-aided design Design body
Feb 05 Computer-controlled cutting
Feb 12 Embedded programming
Feb 19 3D scanning and printing 3D printing with copper foils for step response?
Feb 26 Electronics design Design board with inputs and outputs connections
Mar 05 Computer-controlled machining
Mar 12 Electronics production Make and solder main board
Mar 19 Input devices Step response
Mar 26 Output devices e-ink display
Apr 02 Networking and communications Lo-Ra? send logging info to another xiao
Apr 09 Mechanical design, machine design
Apr 16 Break, midterm review + evaluation
Apr 23 Molding and casting Molding and casting around step-response sensors
Apr 30 Interface and application programming website, count info in and out for puffin
May 07 System integration
May 14 Wildcard week
May 21 Applications and implications
May 28 Invention, intellectual property
Jun 04 Weekly assignments deadline
Jun 09-13 Final project presentations

What does it do?

My final project is to create a device that monitors puffins to gather more information about their behavior. To ensure I was monitoring the right aspects, I consulted a puffin expert, Dr. Erpur Snær Hansen, who provided valuable insights into what could be monitored. The main purpose of the device is to track and log how often a puffin enters and exits its burrow, as well as the timing of these activities. By doing so, it could provide insights into when puffins leave to catch fish and when they return to feed their pufflings. Depending on the frequency of these activities, it may be possible to predict how far the food source is located. The device will feature a button connected to an E-Ink display that will show information such as the number of times a puffin has entered and exited the burrow, the name or ID of the device, and the current time.

Here is a list of inputs and outputs:

Input Devices

Device Purpose Notes
Step Response Sensor Detects puffin movement in/out of burrow Could be capacitive or resistive. Low power.
RTC (Real Time Clock) Timestamps entries/exits Use DS3231 or similar; battery-backed
Button Manual reset or configuration Could be helpful in field setup
AI Camera (future development) Visual identification of puffins Needs more power, but potentially huge insights

Output Devices

Device Purpose Notes
E-Ink Display Low-power field display of activity Only draws power on update
LoRa Remote data transmission Long-range, very low power
SD Card Local data storage Needed if no connectivity
Website (future development) For visualizing logs Could be developed using simple CSV upload scripts

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Who's done what beforehand?

Various Projects that use similar inputs or outputs or have similar ideas.

Left to be answered

  • What did you design?
  • What materials and components were used?
  • Where did they come from?
  • How much did they cost?
  • What parts and systems were made?
  • What processes were used?
  • What questions were answered?
  • What worked? What didn't?
  • How was it evaluated?
  • What are the implications?