Week 10 - Feature Testing and Development

Week 10 - Feature Testing Development, Extra Case Study

Acquisition of Lithium Battery and Charger

I bought some new parts to test as additional features for the prototype. They took a week to arrive and I've been spending the previous week understanding and working with the parts.

Cordless Drill Lithium Battery 12V 2.0 AHM

Lithium Battery Charger

Microphone Testing

I spent some time testing the Electret Microphone separately during my free time, the outcome was good as it detected loud audio which is what I want. At the moment I'm trying to connect it to the speaker and mp3 player that it plays an audio whenever a loud sound is heard. I hoped to simulate a shocked or startled reaction.

Electret Microphone

Found in the Fablab, works fine with no problems.

Mini Mp3 Dfplayer

Provided by seniors in the Fablab.

Speakers

Learning the new parts

I've spent time to check each individual part online, I found multiple guides online that help me understand each circuit part properly. 

Below is a guide for what I've found of the MP3 player which has proven to be very helpful for me to reference when building the prototype.

 

I've also found a tutorial online for the Electret Microphone to detect loud audio, all thats left is to integrate the circuit into the prototype.

Lastly, I had no prior experience to fully understanding the L298N Motor Shield, so I found a tutorial online to better understand the circuit and wire placement. This has proven to be extremely helpful and beneficial to me.

Battery Holder 3D Modeling

I'm currently trying to 3D Model the design and shape for a battery holder to keep the Lithium Battery in check, there is a slight problem, that being I do not know how to curve the corners to fit the battery along with creating slits to add copper wires to connect the to the battery holder so it conducts and supplies power to the L298N Motor Shield.

Extra Case Study

I found a reference for a homemade robot online with Arduino parts. LINK

What I've found online is that the robot design even though unrefined still looks polished and clean while demonstrating good craftsmanship. I plan to use this reference as a benchmark for how my prototype should function and look like.

What I particularly like about the robot is the simplicity but interesting design. The LED lights make which are a simple but fun addition to know if the robot is active which also shows an adorable side to its design when it changes colour. The moving head is genius and simple design using micro servos that I know I can implement into my design.

The visual design of the robot reminds me of a robot from Star Wars, I hope to reference this design and integrate it into my design.

Self Reflection - Parts

All the parts arrived in condition, the charger works along with the battery, I have reservations about the battery's power output but I will only know the answer when I integrate the battery into the prototype. 

I made the mistake of not ordering a Micro SD Card for my MP3 player, so that will delay my project by a week, the good news is that I can borrow the Fablab's Micro SD Cards.

The MP3 Player has not been tested properly due to the lack of an Micro SD Card. The good news is that I plan to ask my classmate who has experience this semester with the MP3 player.

Self Reflection - Battery Holder

I have reached a chokepoint where I am not able to 3D Model a battery holder to print for the prototype, I'll need to seek help from Ron to understand how to properly use Onshape to model the 2D Design before extruding it into 3D. I hope to finish it by this week so I can properly implement all the features into the prototype.