- Upload a video or series of images showcasing your final form of your project (note we will add the SoHE videos when they are completed)
- Upload an image of your final poster as a JPG or PDF
- Describe what your project does and how it works (Min. one Paragraph)
Lit Alert is a K9 vest with three temperature sensors wired to an Adafruit Feather M0 micro controller with Bluetooth LE capabilities. The micro controller sends an average temperature to a smartphone application. The app. has three phases Green (100 degrees F.), Yellow (101 – 103 F.), Red (103 F. and above) representing the average output of the sensors
- Describe your overall feelings on your project. Are you pleased, disappointed, etc.? (Min. one Paragraph)
Neutral, the project is successful in achieving the goal of reading the temperature but is inaccurate regarding the body temp of the animal. The inaccuracy could be corrected with direct body contact or an offset included in the coding. I contemplated including the actual temperature on the app. screen represented but decided against this for aesthetic simplicity
- Describe how well did your project meet your original project description and goals. (Min. one Paragraph)
I believe that I was fairly accurate in my goals represented at the beginning of class. I was able to work with individuals more knowledgeable than myself dealing with the coding and application development to achieve the goal of the project.
- Describe the largest hurdles you encountered. How did you overcome these challenges? (Min. one Paragraph)
The biggest hurdle I felt with was the fragility of the temperature sensors and connecting them to the wires and the sensor mounts. I started with five TMP37 sensors broke all five, replaced these with four TMP36 sensors and broke one of these leaving me with three TMP36 sensors. Three iterations of the 3D printed sensor mounts to find an appropriate size and accurate mounting solution, as well as four different layouts of the mounts within the vest.
- Describe what would you do next if you had more time (Min. one Paragraph)
I might purchase or design a more streamline vest with better placement of the sensors. Placing the sensor in direct contact with animals skin. The inclusion of different types of sensors with the ability to detect gasses, chemicals as well as other possible dangers that the animal may come in contact with. Integration of a GPS or similar monitoring device allowing for live tracking of the animal.