Final Project – First Ideas & Early Exploration

At this stage, I am still exploring different ideas for my final project. I want it to be something meaningful, functional, and connected either to a real problem or to a personal interest. Below are the main ideas I have been considering so far.

Automated Pill Dispenser

One of my main ideas is continuing a project I worked on in high school: an automated pill dispenser. At that time, due to time and technical limitations, I designed a dispenser that worked for 7 days, with 3 pill schedules per day.

The idea now is to redesign and improve it into a dispenser that works for 31 days. This project is intended for my grandfather, who often forgets to take his medication. The device would help organize pills by day and time, reminding the user when to take them and reducing mistakes.

The approach would focus on:

• Organizing pills by day and time
• Automating the dispensing process
• Adding visual and/or sound reminders
• Making the system simple, clear, and safe to use

Pothole and Speed Bump Detection Device

Another idea is designing a device that helps car drivers detect potholes and speed bumps (topes), especially in situations where they are not clearly visible due to poor lighting, weather conditions, or road deterioration.

The device could use sensors to detect sudden changes in the road surface and warn the driver through visual or sound signals. This project would be aimed at everyday drivers and could help prevent damage to vehicles and improve driving safety.

Smart Compost Box

Another possible project is a compost box that triturates organic waste and stores it while it turns into compost. The system would monitor variables such as pH, humidity, and temperature to ensure optimal composting conditions.

This project would be focused on sustainability and waste reduction and could be useful for households interested in composting but lacking the time or knowledge to manage the process manually.

Electric Skateboard

A more personal idea is building an electric skateboard. This project is driven by personal interest and would involve designing the board, selecting motors, batteries, and controllers, and integrating all components into a functional and safe product.

Although this project is less problem-oriented, it represents a strong technical challenge and an opportunity to explore mobility, electronics, and mechanical design.

First Approach and Next Steps

At this moment, I have not decided which idea will become my final project. My next steps include sketching early concepts, evaluating feasibility, and analyzing which project is the best option.

The first sketches will focus on defining the main components, user interaction, and general form of each proposal before narrowing down to a single final direction.

First Sketches

In this phase, I will start by creating rough sketches for each idea. These sketches will not focus on aesthetics, but rather on understanding scale, mechanisms, and how users would interact with the device.

Sketching will help me compare ideas more clearly and identify potential challenges early in the design process.