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Project Ideation
Project Ideation
1- What sustainability-related problem or need does your project address? What were you inspired by? What is/are the SDG/s you are tackling in your project? Include images and videos of similar projects
1- What sustainability-related problem or need does your project address? What were you inspired by? What is/are the SDG/s you are tackling in your project? Include images and videos of similar projects
🚗 Automated car racing track with intelligent gate🚗 control
This project involves the development of a miniature car racing track equipped with:
An automated gate:
A sensor detects the presence of a racing car approaching the gate.
Upon detection, the gate automatically opens.
And it can be controlled Via remote control.
A control tower:
A tower houses an LCD screen that displays the gate status ("Opened" or "Closed").
Visual indicators:
Two LED lamps provide visual cues: red for "Closed" and green for "Opened."
2- Conduct a feasibility/impact assessment using the standard template and attach it below. How do you think this assessment will guide your design?
2- Conduct a feasibility/impact assessment using the standard template and attach it below. How do you think this assessment will guide your design?
Explain your impact assessment on those four pillars: social, economic, environmental, and natural resources. And, explain how this assessment will influence your project concept and goals.
1. Social Impact
Family Bonding: The project can encourage family interaction and bonding through shared playtime and competition.
Skill Development: Playing with the race track can enhance fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities in children especially that this project can be controlled via mobile.
Creativity and Imagination: Children can use the race track to create their own imaginative scenarios and stories.
2. Economic Impact
Potential for Commercialization: If successful, the project could be scaled up and commercialized, generating revenue and creating jobs.
Educational Opportunities: The project can inspire young minds to pursue careers in engineering, robotics, and technology.
3. Environmental Impact
Educational Tool: The project can serve as an educational tool to raise awareness about electronics and the importance of responsible waste disposal.
Use of Recycled Materials: Incorporating recycled materials in the construction of the track can minimize environmental impact.
4. Natural Resources Impact
Minimal Direct Impact: The project itself has minimal direct impact on natural resources but it can be made from recycled materials which can form a good impact on nature.
3- Describe the project idea and general features. How would it work?
3- Describe the project idea and general features. How would it work?
General Features:
Track: A physical track constructed using materials like wood or plastic.
Cars: Small toy cars designed to navigate the track.
Automated Gate: A gate mechanism that automatically opens and closes.
Sensor: A sensor placed before the gate to detect the approaching car.
Control Tower: A small tower housing an LCD screen and LED lights.
Microcontroller: A microcontroller (like Arduino or Raspberry Pi) to control the gate, sensor, and display.
How it Works:
Car Approach: A toy car approaches the gate on the track.
Sensor Trigger: The sensor detects the presence of the car.
Gate Activation: The microcontroller receives a signal from the sensor.
Gate Opening: The microcontroller triggers a mechanism to open the gate.
Display Update: The LCD screen in the control tower displays "Opened."
Green LED: A green LED light illuminates in the control tower.
Car Passage: The car passes through the open gate.
Gate Closing: After a short delay, the microcontroller triggers the gate to close.
Display Update: The LCD screen displays "Closed."
Red LED: A red LED light illuminates in the control tower.
Project Idea:
This project involves creating a miniature car racing track equipped with an automated gate system. The track will incorporate sensors, a microcontroller, and basic automation principles to provide an interactive and engaging experience.
Additional Features (Optional):
Timer: A timer to record lap times.
Multiple Gates: Incorporate multiple gates along the track for added complexity.
Remote Control: Allow remote control of the gate and other features.
4- Sketch your project: You may use pen and paper or a simple sketching tool like Microsoft Paint or Photoshop
4- Sketch your project: You may use pen and paper or a simple sketching tool like Microsoft Paint or Photoshop
Project Planning
Project Planning
5- Describe the Technical Modules that your project consists of
5- Describe the Technical Modules that your project consists of
Construction Parts
Track: This includes the physical structure of the track itself. Materials could include wood & a custom-made part using 3D printing.
Gate: The physical gate mechanism, which could be constructed using 3d printing.
Control Tower: The structure that houses the LCD screen and LED lights. This could be made of wood through laser cutting.
Enclosure: (Optional) An optional enclosure around the track to contain the cars and enhance the racing experience.
Input
(Sensing, Tactile Input, and/or Graphical Input)
Sensor: This is the primary input device. Options include:
Ultrasonic Sensor: Measures the distance to the car using sound waves.
User Input: (Optional) If you incorporate features like remote control or adjustable settings, you'll need input devices such as buttons, switches, or a remote control.
Action
(Physical and/or Graphic)
Gate Motor: This component actuates the gate mechanism. Options include:
Servo Motor: Provides precise control for opening and closing the gate.
LED Lights: Indicate the gate status (red for closed, green for open).
LCD Screen: Displays the gate status ("Opened" or "Closed").
Brain
Microcontroller: The central processing unit of the system. Popular choices include:
Arduino: A widely used platform with a large community and extensive resources.
Programming: The microcontroller requires software (code) to process sensor inputs, control the gate motor, and manage the display.
Power Management
Power Supply:
Battery Pack: Provides power to the portable system.
Power Adapter: Supplies power to the system when connected to an electrical outlet.
Voltage Regulators: Ensure that the microcontroller and other components receive the correct voltage levels.
6- How will you use tools like the laser cutter and 3D printer with sustainable materials to make your project eco-friendly? What materials will you use, and why are they sustainable choices?
6- How will you use tools like the laser cutter and 3D printer with sustainable materials to make your project eco-friendly? What materials will you use, and why are they sustainable choices?
Describe how your project will leverage maker tools like laser cutters or 3D printers to reduce waste, and increase maintainability. Also, explain your choice of materials such as fabric, plastic filament, or recycled plastic sheets to support green innovation. Select materials with low environmental impact, and explain their relevance to your project.
1. Laser Cutter:
Track Construction:
Material: Plywood (FSC certified) or bamboo plywood. These are renewable resources and can be sourced from sustainable forestry practices.Process: The laser cutter can precisely cut intricate track designs, minimizing material waste compared to traditional cutting methods.
Benefits:
Reduced Waste: Precise cuts minimize material waste.
Versatility: Allows for complex track designs and customization.
Durability: Plywood and bamboo provide sturdy track surfaces.
Control Tower:
Material: Acrylic or MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard) from sustainably managed forests.
Process: The laser cutter can cut and engrave the tower, adding aesthetic details and potentially incorporating the project name or team logo.
2. 3D Printer:
Gate Mechanism:
Material: PLA (Polylactic Acid) filament made from plant-based sources like corn starch.Process: 3D printing allows for the creation of custom-designed gate mechanisms with intricate shapes and moving parts.
Benefits:
Customization: Enables the creation of unique and optimized gate designs.
Reduced Waste: 3D printing minimizes material waste by only using the necessary amount of filament.
Reusability: 3D-printed parts can be easily repaired or replaced, extending the project's lifespan.
Other Components:
Control Tower Base: 3D print a base for stability and better presentation.
Decorative Elements: Add 3D-printed decorative elements to enhance the visual appeal of the project.
Material Choices and Sustainability:
PLA Filament: Biodegradable and derived from renewable plant sources, minimizing reliance on fossil fuels.
Reducing Waste and Increasing Maintainability:
Digital Design: Utilizing CAD software for design allows for precise measurements and minimizes material waste during the cutting and printing process.
Modular Design: Designing the project with modular components allows for easier repair and replacement of individual parts, reducing the need for complete reconstruction.
3D Printing for Prototyping: 3D printing enables rapid prototyping and iterative design, allowing for adjustments and improvements before final production, minimizing material waste during the experimentation phase.
By carefully selecting materials and leveraging the capabilities of maker tools like laser cutters and 3D printers, this project aims to minimize environmental impact, promote sustainability, and encourage creative problem-solving within the context of a fun and engaging project.
7- 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.
7- 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.
8- Categorize your project’s User Features into: Minimum, Complete, and Nice-to-have features. List the required action and input components per feature.
8- 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
Automated Gate Operation:
Required Action: Car approaches the gate.
Input Component: Sensor (e.g., infrared, ultrasonic).
Output Component: Gate Motor.
Gate Status Indication:
Required Action: Gate opens/closes.
Input Component: Microcontroller signal.
Output Component: Red/Green LED.
Basic Display:
Required Action: Gate opens/closes.
Input Component: Microcontroller signal.
Output Component: LCD Screen displaying "Opened" or "Closed."
Complete User Features
Refined Gate Control:
Required Action: Car approaches the gate, car passes through the gate.
Input Component: Sensor, Timer (optional).
Output Component: Gate Motor, Microcontroller with timing logic.
Enhanced Display:
Required Action: Gate opens/closes, potential for additional information (e.g., lap times, race status).
Input Component: Microcontroller signal, Timer (optional).
Output Component: LCD Screen with expanded display capabilities.
User Interaction:
Required Action: User initiates a race, resets the system.
Input Component: Button or switch.
Output Component: Microcontroller, Gate Motor, Display.
Nice-to-have User Features
Multiple Gates:
Required Action: Car approaches each gate.
Input Component: Multiple sensors, Microcontroller with expanded logic.
Output Component: Multiple gate motors, Display with potentially more complex information.
Obstacles:
Required Action: Car interacts with obstacles on the track.
Input Component: (Optional) Additional sensors to detect car interaction with obstacles.
Output Component: (Optional) Sound effects, visual cues on the display.
Remote Control:
Required Action: User controls gate operation remotely.
Input Component: Remote control unit.
Output Component: Receiver, Microcontroller.
Lap Time Recording:
Required Action: Car completes a lap.
Input Component: Photogate or other lap detection method, Timer.
Output Component: Display (LCD or external), Storage (optional).
9- How will you incorporate Arduino programming, sensors, and actuators to enhance the sustainability features of your project?
9- How will you incorporate Arduino programming, sensors, and actuators to enhance the sustainability features of your project?
Describe how you’ll use Arduino programming, along with sensors and actuators, to create functions that improve your project’s efficiency, reduce resource use, or monitor environmental impact.
10- What are the required electronic components and materials for the project?
10- What are the required electronic components and materials for the project?
Component/Material
Amount
Link
11- What are the project tasks and its time-frame?
11- What are the project tasks and its time-frame?
Task
Sub-Tasks
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