07/05/2021

A very productive day

Project 3: Sunflower: Tekst

Project 3: Sunflower: Pro Gallery

Hi!

Today we split up in small groups a bit, which meant we each had a focus area to make sure we are ready for tuesday!

We made big strides with the solar panel! It moves perfectly (-ish), and now has a stand to better its movement.

We also made a setup for the watering system. It is now able to measure the soils moisture level and when it is below a certain level pump water.

The two working prototypes are still in the beginning phases, but everything seems very promising.

The app interface is also in its beginning stages, but the functions that we want to implement have been decided and it looks good.

We also looked at different designs and made different design proposals for the overall design of Sunflower, and made a bet on the design for the watering system which will soon be tested:)

Overall we are very enthusiastic about the project and product and we are looking forward to the 3-week-period to finalise it.

- Occultist Invasive xx

Project 3: Sunflower: Tekst

30/04/2021

Initiation of prototyping and sketching

Project 3: Sunflower: Tekst

Project 3: Sunflower: Pro Gallery

Hi!

Today we chose which part we want to focus on for our presentation on the 11th of may. We have chosen to focus on the movable solar panel which will move in two axis determined by light.

Furthermore we sketched designs, began prototyping - 3d printed the framework, looked at the C-code and began detailing parts needed for the final product.

Overall today was a mildly frustrating day as the components were not cooperating, which resulted in one group member injured. But don't worry he is okay!! Hopefully the next time we work everything goes better. Fingers crossed!!

- Occultist Invasive xx

Project 3: Sunflower: Tekst

23/04/2021

Choosing a direction

Project 3: Sunflower: Tekst

Project 3: Sunflower: Pro Gallery

Hi!

Today we chose our idea for project 3! We've chosen "sunflower" - a watering system for herbs and plants. The description is as follows:

Sunflower

Sustainable watering and sun system for Herbs.

Elements in sunflower:

Water

Pumps water into the soil when it registers low humidity.
Has different settings for different types of plants to fulfill their unique needs.
Easy to fill water tank that gives a signal when a refill is needed.
Self-sustainable energy source for a pump in form of a small solar panel.
Tells the user through an app what the plant’s humidity status is.

Sun

Gives and receives data of best placement and amount of sun making the solar panel turn through a mechanism. (moving in either one or two axes)
Growth LED that turns on during the night if the plant has had too little sun during the day
LED screen that shows the plant’s state in emoji form.
Tells the user through an app what the plant’s sun status is.

Comment:

The watering system is considered sustainable in two aspects: It creates a longer lifespan and usage of herbs bought in supermarkets and is self-sufficient with its energy usage by having the solar panel.

UV sensors will be used to estimate how efficient the solar panel is, and give the data to the user, so the user can estimate where the best placement for the device is. A DHT 11 sensor or another similar sensor will be implemented to measure moisture levels in soil.

The sustainable watering system is able to detect whenever a plant is in need of water. The use of it is designated to supermarket bought herbs and can be placed in the kitchen area. This means the design will be small and functional and take up as little space as possible so everyday flat owners can use this product.

To choose the system and components for this project we made a function-means tree, and an overview of the system in a flow chart.

We're ready for next week where all the components that we have bought today will hopefully have arrived.

We are very excited to begin setting up everything and to begin prototyping:).

See you next week!

- Occultist Invasive xx

Project 3: Sunflower: Tekst

16/04/2021

Beginning Project 3

Project 3: Sunflower: Tekst

Project 3: Sunflower: Pro Gallery

Hi!

Today we started our new project! The theme is sustainability and is a very broad subject. Therefore, the first thing we did was to start researching by reading articles about the main problems in lack of sustainable solutions and their impact on climate change. After this we began Brainstorming which aspects, we would like to focus on to narrow down our problem area. Thereafter we used a method called Brain-walking of concepts to brainstorm ideas for what we could make for our project. This resulted in two different ideas:

Sustainable Dustbin

Elements:

Gives information to the Garbage system of how full the bin is, to eliminate unnecessary trips for the bin lorry and the garbage men. This also works as an indicator of when the dustbin needs to be emptied.
Closes its openings when filled to prevent overflow which can cause rubbish to litter.
Visualise availability by signalling to the user by a great distance to discourage use of that specific dustbin and go to another available dustbin.
A smart and innovative form design that prevents garbage to be placed on top or by the dustbin to eliminate littering in the surrounding areas. (affordance)

Possible Additions:

Compression element to optimise amount of rubbish space.
An app which tells the users where the nearest available dustbin is.

Comment:

The dustbin is considered sustainable in two different aspects: It reduces the amount of unnecessary trips to half full dustbins, and reduces the amount of littering by an overfilled dustbin.

An ultrasound sensor can be used to measure how full the dustbin is. And a combined use of MQTT and NodeRED can be used to create a software/app which can communicate to the Garbage disposal system.

A stepper or servo motor can be used to build the closing mechanism of the lid and the signalling of availability.

The sustainable dustbin will be especially effective if it is put in use in areas like Amager Fælleden. Places which are frequently used by the public and the dustbins are placed far away from each other.

Sustainable Watering System for Herbs.

Elements:

Pumps water into the soil when it registers low humidity.
Has different settings for different types of plants to fulfill their unique needs.
Easy to fill water tank that gives a signal when a refill is needed.
Self-sustainable energy source for pump in form of a small solar panel.
Gives and receives data of best placement and amount of sun.

Possible Additions:

Movable mechanism for the solar panel making it move towards sunlight and therefore be able to catch as much UV-light as possible.
A charging station to charge batteries of unused electricity
An app which shows moisture levels, energy levels and has an input feature where the user can put in which type of herb is in each compartment to fulfill its specific needs.

Comment:

The watering system is considered sustainable in two aspects: It creates a longer lifespan and usage of herbs bought in supermarkets and is self-sufficient with its energy usage by having the solar panel.

Uv sensors will be used to estimate how efficient the solar panel is, and give the data to the user, so the user can estimate where the best placement for the device is. A DHT 11 sensor or another similar sensor will be implemented to measure moisture levels in soil.

The sustainable watering system is able to detect whenever a plant is in need of water. The use of it is designated to supermarket bought herbs and can be placed in the kitchen area. This means the design will be small and functional and take up as little space as possible so everyday flat owners can use this product.

- Occultist Invasive xx

Project 3: Sunflower: Tekst

07/05/2021

Hi!

Today we split up in small groups a bit, which meant we each had a focus area to make sure we are ready for tuesday!

We made big strides with the solar panel! It moves perfectly (-ish), and now has a stand to better its movement.

We also made a setup for the watering system. It is now able to measure the soils moisture level and when it is below a certain level pump water.

The two working prototypes are still in the beginning phases, but everything seems very promising.

The app interface is also in its beginning stages, but the functions that we want to implement have been decided and it looks good.

We also looked at different designs and made different design proposals for the overall design of Sunflower, and made a bet on the design for the watering system which will soon be tested:)

​

Overall we are very enthusiastic about the project and product and we are looking forward to the 3-week-period to finalise it.

​

- Occultist Invasive xx

30/04/2021

Hi!

Today we chose which part we want to focus on for our presentation on the 11th of may. We have chosen to focus on the movable solar panel which will move in two axis determined by light.

Furthermore we sketched designs, began prototyping - 3d printed the framework, looked at the C-code and began detailing parts needed for the final product.

Overall today was a mildly frustrating day as the components were not cooperating, which resulted in one group member injured. But don't worry he is okay!! Hopefully the next time we work everything goes better. Fingers crossed!!

- Occultist Invasive xx

​

​

​

23/04/2021

Hi!

Today we chose our idea for project 3! We've chosen "sunflower" - a watering system for herbs and plants. The description is as follows:

​

Sunflower

Sustainable watering and sun system for Herbs.

Elements in sunflower:

Water

Pumps water into the soil when it registers low humidity.

Has different settings for different types of plants to fulfill their unique needs.

Easy to fill water tank that gives a signal when a refill is needed.

Self-sustainable energy source for a pump in form of a small solar panel.

Tells the user through an app what the plant’s humidity status is.

Sun

Gives and receives data of best placement and amount of sun making the solar panel turn through a mechanism. (moving in either one or two axes)

Growth LED that turns on during the night if the plant has had too little sun during the day

LED screen that shows the plant’s state in emoji form.

Tells the user through an app what the plant’s sun status is.

​

Comment:

The watering system is considered sustainable in two aspects: It creates a longer lifespan and usage of herbs bought in supermarkets and is self-sufficient with its energy usage by having the solar panel.

UV sensors will be used to estimate how efficient the solar panel is, and give the data to the user, so the user can estimate where the best placement for the device is. A DHT 11 sensor or another similar sensor will be implemented to measure moisture levels in soil.

​​

To choose the system and components for this project we made a function-means tree, and an overview of the system in a flow chart.

We're ready for next week where all the components that we have bought today will hopefully have arrived.

We are very excited to begin setting up everything and to begin prototyping:).

See you next week!

​

- Occultist Invasive xx

16/04/2021

Hi!

Sustainable Dustbin

Elements:

Gives information to the Garbage system of how full the bin is, to eliminate unnecessary trips for the bin lorry and the garbage men. This also works as an indicator of when the dustbin needs to be emptied.

Closes its openings when filled to prevent overflow which can cause rubbish to litter.

Visualise availability by signalling to the user by a great distance to discourage use of that specific dustbin and go to another available dustbin.

A smart and innovative form design that prevents garbage to be placed on top or by the dustbin to eliminate littering in the surrounding areas. (affordance)

Possible Additions:

Compression element to optimise amount of rubbish space.

An app which tells the users where the nearest available dustbin is.

Comment:

The dustbin is considered sustainable in two different aspects: It reduces the amount of unnecessary trips to half full dustbins, and reduces the amount of littering by an overfilled dustbin.

An ultrasound sensor can be used to measure how full the dustbin is. And a combined use of MQTT and NodeRED can be used to create a software/app which can communicate to the Garbage disposal system.

A stepper or servo motor can be used to build the closing mechanism of the lid and the signalling of availability.

The sustainable dustbin will be especially effective if it is put in use in areas like Amager Fælleden. Places which are frequently used by the public and the dustbins are placed far away from each other.

​

Sustainable Watering System for Herbs.

​

Elements:

Pumps water into the soil when it registers low humidity.

Has different settings for different types of plants to fulfill their unique needs.

Easy to fill water tank that gives a signal when a refill is needed.

Self-sustainable energy source for pump in form of a small solar panel.

Gives and receives data of best placement and amount of sun.

​

Possible Additions:

Movable mechanism for the solar panel making it move towards sunlight and therefore be able to catch as much UV-light as possible.

A charging station to charge batteries of unused electricity

An app which shows moisture levels, energy levels and has an input feature where the user can put in which type of herb is in each compartment to fulfill its specific needs.