This week focused on bringing together all the technologies, fabrication processes, and design decisions developed throughout Fab Academy into a single interactive system - in my case interactive climbing wall to help wih emotional development and well-being of a small children. Check my final project
The final project is an interactive climbing wall designed to promote emotional development and well-being through movement, play, memory, and positive reinforcement. The system challenges children to follow illuminated routes, remember visual sequences, and interact with responsive climbing holds that communicate with the electronic system.
The integration stage involved connecting the physical structure, electronic hardware, embedded programming, wireless communication, user interface, and feedback mechanisms into one coherent experience.
Throughout the academy, each assignment contributed a specific element to the final project. During this week, those elements stopped being isolated exercises and became part of a functional product.
The wall structure was digitally designed and fabricated using CNC technology. The climbing holds were modeled in Rhino and produced using resin 3D printing. The electronic control system was developed around an ESP32 microcontroller, while LEDs, touch-sensitive inputs, and audio feedback created the interaction between the child and the system.
The challenge was ensuring that every subsystem communicated correctly while maintaining reliability, safety, and ease of use.
The main body of the project consists of an MDF climbing wall manufactured using a ShotBot CNC machine.
Designing the structure digitally allowed precise positioning of the climbing holds, electronic components, cable routing, and mounting points. The CNC fabrication process ensured repeatability and accuracy while reducing assembly time.
The structure was conceived not only as a support surface but as an integrated platform capable of housing electronics, wiring, and interaction elements without exposing sensitive components to users.
A key feature of the project is the development of custom climbing holds that combine mechanical and electronic functions.
The holds were designed in Rhino and manufactured through resin 3D printing to achieve detailed geometries and comfortable ergonomics. Each hold incorporates a touch-sensitive button that acts as an input device within the game.
Instead of serving only as climbing elements, the holds become interactive interfaces capable of detecting user actions and sending information to the control system.
The main activity of the wall is based on illuminated routes.
When a game starts, LEDs indicate a sequence that the child must observe and remember. The illuminated pattern creates a path across the wall, transforming the climbing activity into a cognitive challenge that combines movement, memory, and attention.
As the participant interacts with the holds, the system verifies whether the selected sequence matches the programmed route. This approach combines physical exercise with concentration and problem-solving skills.
To improve flexibility and adaptability, the wall can be controlled through a mobile application.
The application communicates wirelessly with the ESP32, allowing the selection of different routes, difficulty levels, and interaction modes. This communication layer makes it possible to update activities without modifying the physical installation.
The application also serves as a management tool for therapists, educators, or instructors who may wish to adapt the experience according to the needs of each child.
An important aspect of the project is the incorporation of immediate feedback.
Once the correct sequence has been completed, the system generates a sound response that confirms success and rewards the user's achievement.
The combination of visual guidance, tactile interaction, and auditory feedback creates a multisensory experience that supports emotional well-being and learning through play.
The final prototype combines knowledge acquired throughout multiple weeks of Fab Academy.
System integration revealed that the most complex part of the project was not designing individual components but making them operate together as a seamless experience.
Every modification affected multiple areas of the project. Changes in the hold design influenced sensor placement, electronic routing affected the internal structure, and software updates impacted the interaction flow.
By the end of the process, the project evolved from a collection of independent assignments into a complete interactive product capable of combining digital fabrication, electronics, programming, and user-centered design to support emotional development and well-being through play.