Final Project Proposal

Project Ideation

1- Tell us about the purpose of your project. Which problem does it solve? Why do you care about this? What were you inspired by? Include images and videos of similar projects

Kaleidoscope

I have always been fascinated by physics since I was a kid. I have also been passionate about doing things that may seem out of the ordinary and exploring the various outcomes.

The purpose of this project is to give the user an enjoyable experience and a little bit of education (edutainment), and to showcase how a simple action could produce something mesmerising.

This project was inspired by the kaleidoscope as it was an extremely fun object to play with as kids. It consists of a very simple concept and is very easy to upgrade or downgrade to your liking. The kaleidoscope has many different shapes and sizes (not necessarily the one in the picture) and that gives me the advantage to create my own kaleidoscope with my own design language.

I was inspired by a motorised kaleidoscope (Caleiduino) that was made with Arduino. However, this project includes sound and things that I don't want to include in my final project. (https://youtu.be/M8AdgscGyK0) (http://www.caleiduino.com/en/)

Caleiduino

2- Describe the project idea and general features. How would it work?

The idea behind my project is the kaleidoscope and how such a simple action like the reflection of light could bring out different patterns. The product itself is an upgrade to the basic and known kaleidoscope. It includes electronic elements that would give the basic kaleidoscope an added value.

This kaleidoscope would be self-rotating, includes an eye sensor that once it detects the presence of an eye initiates the rotation of the end piece. The kaleidoscope would also include a small lightbulb that lights up with a switch to allow the user to enjoy the different patterns clearly.

3- Sketch your project: You may use pen and paper or a simple sketching tool like Microsoft Paint or Photoshop

Project Planning

4- Describe the Technical Modules that your project consists of

Construction Parts

2.5D enclosure parts for the kaleidoscope that would be done using Fusion and fabricated with the laser cutter and the 3D printer.

Input

(Sensing, Tactile Input, and/or Graphical Input)

The kaleidoscope will sense the eye when it's placed in the eye hole. The user could control the rotation speed using buttons.

Action

(Physical and/or Graphic)

The rotation will be done using a motor.

Brain

Arduino Uno

Power Management

Adapter

5- Create a cardboard prototype of your project, demonstrating the project face as well as internal movements and mechanisms. Include a demo video and photos of the prototype.

Outer shape for the Kaleidoscope that includes the outer box that will enclose the Arduino and the rest of the components needed.

The inside of the Kaleidoscope that includes 3 mirrors.

The other side of the Kaleidoscope that has an eye hole for the person to narrow their focus on the patterns.

An example of how the patters will look using the Kaleidoscope.

6- Categorize your project’s User Features into: Minimum, Complete, and Nice-to-have features. List the required action and input components per feature.

Minimum Features: are the least amount of features that would demonstrate the coverage of all the technical modules and their complete integration
Complete Features: are the set of features that will complete your original project objective and vision
Nice-to-have Features: are the extra set of features that will make the project cooler, yet they need extra time, effort, and/or resources to finish

Minimum User Features

Starts on its own
- Action: Lamp lights up and the rotation (using motor) starts when the kaleidoscope senses the eye
- Sensing: Eye detection
- User Input: None
Speed of rotation
- Action: User can control the rotation speed
- Sensing: None
- User Input: Push buttons

Complete User Features

Direction of rotation
- Action: User can control the rotation direction
- Sensing: None
- User Input: Push buttons
Light intensity
- Action: Kaleidoscope can control the light intensity based on the outer environment
- Sensing: LDR sensor
- User Input: None

Nice-to-have User Features

Audio feature
- Action: Audio files play (using speaker) while the user watches the pattern
- Sensing: None
- User Input: None

7- What are the project tasks and its time-frame?

Task

Sub-Tasks

From:

To:

Design the enclosure

sketch it out first with the dimensions of the components
make the design on Fusion and assemble everything together
prepare everything for the 3d printer and the laser cutter

Write the code

Make sure that the code is working the way I want it to
Verify that there are no errors

Make the circuit

check that each component is working correctly
connect everything together
try out the circuit before putting it inside the enclosure

Put everything together

post-production final finishes on the enclosure
put everything together and final check that everything is working correctly

8- What are the required electronic components and materials for the project?

Component/Material

Amount

Link

Arduino Uno

Already available

Jumper wires

Multiple

Already available

Crocodile wires

Multiple

Already available

Breadboard mini

Already available

Power source 5V

Already available

Servo Motor

Already available

LDR sensor

Already available

Infrared sensor

Already available

RGB LED

https://ram-e-shop.com/product/led-rgb-5mm-round/

LED

Already available

LED metal cover

https://ram-e-shop.com/product/cover-led-5mm/

220 ohm resistors

Already available

On/Off switch (rectangle)

Already available

On/Off switch (round)

Already available

Push button

https://ram-e-shop.com/product/press-ds318-onoff/

Push button

Already available

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