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Week 1 - Final Project Idea

My final project idea (Smart Anti-Theft Side Mirror and Cars Part Alert and Tracking System)

Introduction

In my city Addis Ababa and some city of Ethiopia, vehicle side mirror theft is a common and recurring problem, causing financial loss and inconvenience to car owners. Side mirrors are easy to remove quickly, making them a frequent target for theft, especially in public parking areas and residential streets.

This project proposes the design and development of a smart anti-theft device integrated into a car’s side mirror system and some easily detachable parts, for my current project just for side mirrors. The device will detect unauthorized removal or tampering, immediately alert the car owner, and track the mirror’s location once it has been stolen. The alert system may use sound, mobile notification, or both, while the tracking functionality will enable the owner to locate and potentially recover the stolen mirror.

The solution focuses on low-cost electronics, compact design, and ease of installation, making it suitable for widespread use in cities environments like Addis Ababa. By combining sensing, communication, and tracking technologies, the project aims to reduce side mirror theft and improve vehicle security through a practical, locally relevant innovation.

Theft on side mirror snach

Theft trying removing the side mirror

Project Description

This project aims to design a smart system that detects unauthorized removal of a car side mirror, alerts the car owner immediately, and tracks the mirror’s location to enable recovery.

Project Objectives

  • Detect mirror removal
  • Alert the owner in real time
  • Track mirror location
  • Enable retrieval
  • Create a compact and affordable solution

How It Works

  1. Sensors detect mirror movement or removal
  2. Microcontroller processes the event
  3. Alert is sent to the owner
  4. Location tracking is activated

project concept drawing

Sketch Concept

alt text

Planned Components

  • Sensors (motion / magnetic)
  • Microcontroller
  • Communication module
  • GPS
  • Power source

Expected Outcome

A working prototype demonstrating detection, alerting (Noisy sound), and tracking (Premium concept) functionality for side mirror theft prevention.

Refernce

  • Theft on side mirror snach sketch AI Generated and I redraw with Prompt “Provide me with Someone theft on the cars side mirror sketch”
  • Introduction part is edited with Chat GPT with Prompt “Correct the following paragraph or any grammar error without modify my Ideas”

problem to be solved

Reflection

This project addresses a real local problem in Ethiopia by using digital fabrication and embedded systems, aligning with FabAcademy’s learning goals.

New adddition to the final project idea above (Car side mirror theft protection)

All the above was my first concept to electronics/fabrication to the final project (Started at the second week/week02 of the course journey). Below in each weeks title I will updated on my project ongoind improvement and additions to the web page appeared below.

Week 01 – Introduction to Digital Fabrication

During the first week, I was introduced to the fundamentals of digital fabrication, Fab Lab principles, and safety procedures.

What I Learned

  • Understanding digital fabrication workflow
  • Introduction to machines and lab safety
  • Overview of electronics and embedded systems
  • Course structure and final project expectations
  • This week helped me understand how different technologies integrate to transform an idea into a working prototype. Go to week01 assignment

Week 02 – Project Planning & Concept Development

This week marked the beginning of my final project journey.

Initial Project Concept

  • Detect when a car side mirror is removed
  • Trigger a loud alarm when detachment occurs

What I Learned

  • How to define a real-world problem
  • Breaking a project into inputs, processing, and outputs
  • Basic electronic system thinking
  • Project Considerations
  • Selecting a suitable sensor for detection
  • Power source planning
  • Physical placement inside the mirror housing. This was the foundation stage of my final project. Go to week02 assignment

Week 03 – Introduction to Electronics

This week was my first hands-on experience with electronic components.

What I Learned

  • Understanding resistors, LEDs, and push buttons
  • How current flows in a circuit
  • Difference between input and output devices
  • Reading simple circuit diagrams

Tools Used

  • Tinkercad for circuit simulation
  • Arduino IDE for programming and testing
  • Practical Skills Gained
  • Controlling an LED using Arduino
  • Understanding HIGH and LOW digital states
  • Importance of correct wiring and resistor values
  • This week helped me understand how an alarm system could be controlled using a microcontroller.

Go to week03 assignment

Week 04 – Embedded Programming & Input/Output

Global Session Presentation

This week I was got a chance to present my FP to our Prfessor, Proff Neil, I recieved feedback which will strengthened my programming and hardware integration skills to my final acheivement. It was at the beginning of Week 04, during the global session, I had the opportunity then present my Final Project to our professor, Prof. Neil and online class mates.

I introduced my project idea:

  • Car Side Mirror Theft Protection System, explaining:
  • The problem of side mirror theft
  • The detection mechanism concept
  • The alarm activation system
  • How a microcontroller would control the process Presenting my idea helped me improve my confidence in explaining technical concepts and organizing my thoughts clearly.

Feedback and Improvement Suggestion After the presentation, Prof. Neil suggested that it would be beneficial to add a proximity sensor to enhance the system. And the benefit is: - A proximity sensor can: Detect movement or presence near the side mirror - Trigger a warning before physical detachment happens - Improve the overall security level of the system - Make the system more intelligent and preventive, not only reactive This suggestion expanded my project from simple detachment detection to a smarter multi-layer protection system

Car Side Mirror with Proximity Consideration

Updated Project Direction

With this new idea, my system may include:

  • A proximity sensor for early detection
  • A vibration or limit switch for physical tampering detection
  • A buzzer for high alarm sound
  • A microcontroller to manage logic and decision-making

This week was important take aways is: - Programs Developed - Turning an LED ON and OFF - Using a button as input to control an output - Testing circuits in simulation and on real hardware - Structure of Arduino programs (setup() and loop()) - Using pinMode() for pin configuration - Using digitalRead() and digitalWrite() - Basic debugging of code and wiring

Go to week04 assignment