Project Proposal

During Week 1 and Week 2, I thought about my final project idea and started getting used to the documentation process. I will update the Project Development page as the idea transforms.

Communication of an initial project proposal

Introduction:

The initial project proposal has the intent of communicating the ultimate Final Project that I will be able to make after completing the 20 weeks of learning leading up to its completion. After discovering the Fab Academy, the prospect of being able make (almost) anything enables me to think of many ideas I have only dreamed of making before this time.

The projects that I complete as I work toward the Final Project will allow me to explore the possibilities, as well as refine the vision of the Final Project.

Scenario:

The greatest attraction that guided me to the Fab Academy was the desire to build a wooden sailboat; something that has been too lofty for my skill set. While this may be too ambitious for the timeframe allotted, a cardboard boat may be a more doable project.

Although a cardboard boat would be feasible, it only produces the first 3 outcomes, without producing the fourth: “Demonstrate competence in design, fabrication and programming of my own fabbed microcontroller PCB, including an input & output device”. To produce the fourth outcome, I propose making a wearable information and navigation device; one that would keep a sailor informed while underway.

• After many iterations in Fab Academy, I have decided to focus on a single project within the original “many projects.” Returning to the challenge, “Demonstrate competence in design, fabrication and programming of my own fabbed microcontroller PCB, including an input & output device”. The Final Project has become a Smart Life Ring.

First, I need to design my own board that will accomplish the concept of this Final Project while keeping it simple ;) I will use the XIAO RP2040 on a board that provides power from an external LiPo battery, takes an input from a temperature sensor, and provide an output from a RGB LED.

Second, I need to design a sphere that will contain the electronics while keeping them safe from the water environment they will be in.

Finally, I will need to design a floatation device that keeps the sphere afloat while making it recoverable.