Inspiration
As someone with ADHD, I’ve found that typical productivity apps often fall short. Software solutions require you to already possess the focus needed to activate them, and they quickly fade into the background. I needed a tool that leaned into my neurological differences rather than working against them - something tactile that acknowledges the struggle of task-switching.
What it does
Totem is a tactile partner that guides you into focus by leveraging your natural fidgeting tendencies. The ritual begins with a button press: Totem triggers a desktop script to block distracting websites, allowing you to start fidgeting with the device. As you ease into your task and your movements slow down, Totem detects this "settling" and transitions into Flow Mode.
In this mode, it maintains a customizable "check-in" timer to ensure you stay on track. You can move freely between flow and fidgeting throughout your session. To end the session, simply hold the button for 3 seconds. The Totem desktop app then provides a breakdown of your session, showing the time spent in deep flow versus active fidgeting.
How we built it
Totem was engineered using the ESP32 platform and developed within the PlatformIO ecosystem using the ESP-IDF framework. The desktop component is a Python GUI made with Tkinter that manages system-level website blocking and session analytics.
Challenges we ran into
One of our primary hurdles was developing a control scheme that accurately distinguished between intentional fidgeting and accidental movement. Because everyone fidgets differently, we couldn't rely on button presses alone. We solved this by using an MPU6050 accelerometer to analyze the variance of motion, allowing the device to "feel" when a user is settling into work.
Initially, the detection was too strict and any pause in movement would kick the user out of their state. We refactored the activity detection to include a 500ms de-bounce, making the transition between modes feel more natural and forgiving.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
- A working hardware device that reliably detects fidgeting vs stillness using just an accelerometer and joystick, with no calibration needed.
- A state machine that intuitively guides users between states with clear sensory feedback at each transition.
- Seamless integration between firmware and desktop host over serial, with site-blocking and session logging to reinforce the focus habit.
- A thoughtful design that empowers people with attention differences rather than ignoring their natural fidgeting, turning a "flaw" into a feature.
What we learned
UX: We learned to create an intuitive experience that empowers the user to seamlessly transition between tasks and focus states while creating a habit that reinforces the process.
The Power of Tactile Feedback: We discovered how much a subtle haptic "nudge" can do to ground a wandering mind compared to a loud digital notification.
What's next for Totem
Enhanced haptics: Alternative fidgeting methods and customizable haptic feedback patterns.
Refined Enclosure: Designing a 3D-printed ergonomic "totem" housing that feels weighted and significant in the hand.
Expanded Analytics: Improving the Python dashboard to track focus trends over weeks and months to help users understand their productivity cycles.
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