Hands-Free Balance Maze | Project Plan

Team: Yu Jiang & Max Kornyev

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Technical Plan

Our objectives for the first proof-of-concept demonstration are the following.

1. A functional set of laser-cut maze components; including the press-fit maze walls, the three maze Shielding Boxes, and their working assembly.
2. A functional set of Sonar Sensors with smoothed input; such that it is possible to control the two maze axes with your hands.

Once we make good headway on these objectives, we will move on to implementing some additional features.

3. A mobile app to interface with the CKS server using the paho.mqtt client. The app will run on the iOS platform.
4. Introducing remote input modes to the application; via distant sonars or mobile phones.

Unknowns and Contingencies

• Stability of the three-box maze structure – we will need to be mindful of the structure’s weight, in order to minimize strain on our Servo motors. If this becomes an issue, we can make the maze smaller, use an arm to pivot boxes on their axes, or increase the number of motors used.
• Ranger input uncertainty – sonar rangers are not perfect, and have high potential to ruin the user experience with consistently faulty readings. We will need to spend additional time on ensuring a smooth tilt of the servo.
• Mobile application uncertainty – developing the application may be time consuming. And because the paho.mqtt client is not directly available in iOS, the app may require an additional information layer to pass on application input to the CKS server.
• Latency issues – This is just a consequence of Remote communication, and is something we have to be mindful of when testing the user experience.

Project Management

Designated individual responsibilities, as applicable.

1. Create a simple system circuit diagram – Max
2. Create the first maze design using Fusion360 – Yu
3. Cut & assemble the parts, make design changes as needed – Team
4. Write code to parse range sensor input and control the Servo arm appropriately – Max
5. Test the hands free interactions and make changes as needed – Team
6. Refactor code to accept remote input – Yu
7. Create / deploy mobile app – Team / Max for deployment

Remote collaboration will be primarily planned via Facebook Messenger. While our weekly meetings can be held throughout the week and on weekends; at 9AM or 9PM in either timezone.

Bill of Materials

Component	Quantity	Kit parts expected to be used	Acquired parts	Design and fabrication method
Base ground	1	none	plywood	CAD design and laser cutting
Wires and Power Source	1	5V battery, breadboard, resistors, UNO R3 controller board, screws, wires	plywood	CAD design and laser cutting
Sensor station	1	One ultrasonic sensor, breadboards, wires	plywood, an ultrasonic sensor	CAD design and laser cutting
Marble receiver	1	none	plywood	CAD design and laser cutting
Marble sensor	1	optical proximity sensor, breadboard	plywood	CAD design and laser cutting
Rotation unit	2	hobby servos, popsicle sticks, paper clips, shoulder screws, bush bearings, unthreaded spacers, hex nuts, wires	none	Drill parts and assemble
Shield box	3	none	plywood	CAD design and laser cutting
Game board	1	optical proximity sensor, breadboard, LED	plywood	CAD design and laser cutting
Tilted marble board	1	none	plywood	CAD design and laser cutting

updated sketch