Project Proposal
SmartFollow Backpack
Throughout school, I’ve heard numerous complaints about the burden of heavy backpacks and the frustration of lost bags. To resolve this, I want to develop a smart backpack that can follow its owner around on its own.
The SmartFollow Backpack uses a combination of cameras, sensors and motor control to track and follow its user while also maintaining a safe distance.
This project is mainly designed for individuals who carry backpacks on a daily, but it’s also perfect for anyone wanting to say bye to the physical strain of carrying heavy loads.😉
How does it work?
It uses sensors to know where you are.
It will stop if the owner stops.
It will be capable of avoiding obstacles.
It moves on wheels that are powered by DC motors.
It runs on batteries (that can be recharged).
Here is an overview of the main components that I'll be working with:
ESP32-WROOM-32 is the main microcontroller that controls the entire SmartFollow Backpack system.
Pixy2 Camera is used for object detection and helps the backpack follow its owner.
The HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor measures distance to avoid obstacles and maintain safe spacing.
The L298N Motor Driver controls the speed and direction of the motors.
JGA25-370 Metal Gearmotors are used to move the backpack smoothly.
The 3S LiPo Battery powers the entire system.
DFPlayer Mini is used to play sound alerts and audio feedback.
The 8-ohm speaker outputs sound from the DFPlayer Mini.
Here is a simple flowchart of the backpack's functionality
(This image was refined with the use of Google Gemini)_result.jpg)
For my own understanding of how the backpack will function, I have created a simulation in Wokwi that follows the same logic as the real system. I’ve added detailed comments in the Wokwi code editor to explain how the simulation works, and you can access it here.