All-Purpose Automated Personal Cooling Assistant (ALPACA)

Successful Computer Vision gestures
Collaboration
Finished model
Successful LCD display implementation

Inspiration

Wanted to integrate hardware and software modules to expand our understanding of how data is processed on the Internet. Microcontroller implementation of temperature correcting system provided a challenging yet robust combination of input and output devices.

What it does

Intended for the device to warn users about risk of heat stroke as well as cooling them down during periods of high heat index that was not outright dangerous. This included a position-tracking servo/fan module to cool down the user as they moved, as well as computer vision gestures to enable/disable the behavior of the fan.

How we built it

Input devices: Computer Vision, Distance sensor, web API Output devices: LED, LCD display, servo/fan module All placed on a cardboard frame to keep sensor & fan module stable, intended to use ESP32 implementation to achieve Internet-of-Things model, but failed due to WSU internet connection issues.

Challenges we ran into

Original plan to utilize Computer Vision to use gestures as inputs for fan behavior did not work, pivoted into using web API with temperature data to control behavior. Ultimately, this API also faced issues with ESP32 implementation (explained in demo video), and we switched back to arduino implementation to demonstrate the functional parts of the design, including the other input/output devices.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Being able to learn multiple platforms and technologies within the duration of the event. Also proud of being able to pivot our design due to unforeseen complications, due to hardware malfunctions and software malfunctions, as well as implementing a charming marketing design.

What we learned

Throughout the project, we learned a ton about hardware connectivity, computer vision, arduino systems, and an ability to adapt across many attempts.

What's next for All-Purpose Automated Personal Cooling Assistant (ALPACA)

For now, our ALPACA will sit proudly in the room of our team's namesake and honor society, Tau Beta Pi. Hopefully in the future we will have a chance to fully implement our ambitions and debug the hardware and programs enough to see through this vision.