Inspiration
For this project, we drew inspiration from the cartoons we loved as kids and designed a time machine based on those imaginative worlds. Our main inspiration came from Phineas and Ferb, whose creative and playful approach to invention sparked the idea for our own time-traveling device.
What it does
Our design uses a 4-digit 7-segment display that allows users to select any year from 0000 to 3000. A dedicated button lets you toggle between AD and BCE to set the time period accurately. Once a year and era are selected, pressing the confirm button activates the buzzer and LEDs, simulating the activation of a real time machine. This combination of inputs and outputs creates an interactive and immersive experience.
How we built it
To build our time machine, we first needed to create a design. We brought a cardboard box because we believed it would come in handy. We cut off the foldable panels of the box to be used as a dashboard or as scrap cardboard. First, we wired our ultrasonic distance sensor and placed it at the top of the box. Next, we worked on wiring up our 4 digit 7 segment display. We made holes in the cardboard through our dashboard panel and the back of the box. We stuck a large breadboard to the back of the box and wired the display. We also added a potentiometer with the same process which would act as the control for the display. These two parts were connected to a separate Arduino because of the lack of digital pins. We wired the buttons, LEDs, and active buzzer in the same way as the other components. Next, we began coding. We created a base of C++ code that got the circuit to work. However, this code was a little inefficient, so we asked GitHub Copilot to make our code a little more efficient. Afterwards, we fine tuned the code it produced and that was the end of our build process.
Challenges we ran into
One of the challenges we faced was figuring out how to synchronize two Arduino boards. Our first Arduino had all of its digital pins in use, so we introduced a second Arduino to handle additional outputs. Initially, we attempted to use an I2C connection to link them, with the first Arduino acting as the master and controlling the second as a slave. However, we ran into power surge issues that made the I2C setup unreliable. As a result, we pivoted to using simpler digital communication by sending signals through available pins, which ultimately proved to be a more stable and effective solution.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
As this was our first hackathon, we are incredibly proud of everything we accomplished in just one day. We managed to complete the entire project within the time limit, using our previous knowledge to create almost all of the wiring on our own. We faced several challenges, including power surges, broken buttons and LEDs, and tough cardboard that was difficult to wire through. Despite these obstacles, we stayed focused and found creative solutions. We are especially proud that our final project not only worked as intended but also related perfectly to the hackathon theme, making the experience both rewarding and memorable.
What we learned
One of the most valuable lessons we learned during this project was the importance of organized wiring. For the first time, we used color-coded jumper wires for different pins, which made the entire setup much clearer and significantly reduced confusion during troubleshooting. This simple practice saved us time and helped prevent mistakes as our circuit became more complex. We also learned to think on our feet when unexpected problems arose, such as power surges and hardware limitations. Overall, the project taught us how small details, like clean wiring, can make a big difference in the success and efficiency of a build.
What's next for Arduino Time Machine Cockpit
Looking ahead, we plan to enhance the Arduino Time Machine Cockpit by making the experience more immersive and realistic. Our top priority is to add a shaking effect using a vibration motor, which will simulate the feeling of the time machine powering up and traveling through time. Although we initially planned on using servos for the shaking of the time machine, we believe that adding a vibration motor would be a better option. The vibration motor can be disguised as a tracker and placed in one's sleeve during time machine travel. When the confirm button is initialized, the vibration motor would go off, further simulating the time machine travel process. This physical feedback will make the activation feel much more dramatic and engaging. Alongside this, we hope to add an LCD screen for displaying the selected year and time period more clearly, and possibly include additional sound effects. These improvements will take the time machine cockpit to the next level, turning it from a fun concept into an exciting hands-on simulation.
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