WEEK TEN- TWELVE

We worked on designing and printing the chassis and most of the module. We have made some progress in programing the "Simon say" game as well as the animal sounds game. The code still needs to be tweaked to do exactly what we want. We have managed to produce sound, now we are focusing on changing those key sounds to animal sounds playing from the SD card mounted to the Arduino board. We hope to finish our first prototype and mail it to our client by 12/18/2015

Below are pictures of our different circuit schematic as well as detailed design.

Detailed Design

WEEK NINE (assembling and designing prototype 1)

This week, we worked on assembling the  parts of prototype 1  while waiting for the other parts to be printed and waiting on the programing to be completed. We intend to finish parts of the programming this week and get our design shipped to the client by the end of the week. We may not have all modules works  but we intend on having a few competed.

Week 8

This week everyone focused on different aspects of the actual designing of the project. Nathan continued to improve the design of the frame he built on Solidworks. He also started to design some of the panels that will be on the sides of the toy. Jo also designed several panels that will be on the toy. When we were observing the buttons, the light was quite dim, so Jo also designed an outer shell that will be clear, so the light will appear brighter. The button will still be able to be pressed with this new shell. Jennifer was focused on creating the program for the Simon game. Most of the code is complete, and this next week she will be finishing the code and debugging it so it will work smoothly.


Panel where five of the buttons will be located.




This is the first version of this panel, where the other five buttons will be located. This design will be modified by Jo this week, so it will have a more elegant design.




These are the button covers that were designed by Jo.

WEEK SEVEN ( Circuitry and Activity Modules )

This week we have been focusing on the CAD and circuitry of our product. Josephine and I (Nathan) have been working on the SolidWorks portion of the project in order to get the prototype 3D printed. Furthermore, in order to effectively make the toys in SolidWorks, we have been researching on toys that other companies have made so that way we can get a better idea of how the mechanisms behind the toys function.

 

Figures 1-4: The above four figures show the individually made parts on SolidWorks. When put together, they will make the "Maze" activity that we wish to put in our final product. 

Figure 5: The Assembled Maze

Also, Jennifer has been working hard as well on the circuitry. Now that we have received the Arduino Due boards, she has been at work at putting all of our necessary electrical components together. Both her and Josephine are at work on making the housing of the circuits within the toy.

WEEK SIX ( bill of materials, frame and mid term presentation)

This week, the frame of the toy was 3D printed, We also received most of our needed materials to start the programming aspect of the toy. The modules will be designed and printed sometime in the next week. After the code is finished, we will perform a shake down test and fix any problems that arise. This week we will also be presenting to the rest of the class the status and development of our project.

WEEK FIVE Update ( Micro-controller and 3D Model of Frame )

This week, we focused on finishing the the prototype design as well as 3D Printing and manufacturing it. Also, we ordered our micro-controller board that will be used in programming the lights and sounds for the toy. Below is the picture of the 3D model of our prototype that will be manufactured, as well as our micro-controller (Arduino Due).

Figure 1: 3D model of the Frame

Figure 2. Arduino Due. Our choice micro-controller for the toy

Once we have the micro-controller, we will be able to test the capabilities of the board. Additionally, we will also be able to change and modify the size of the frame based on the size of the board if it is necessary.

WEEK FOUR UPDATE (Concept Generation and Selection)

This week, we all came up with our own ideas for what each side of the toy should contain. The pictures that follow are what we chose to go with for our final project.

These are all the ideas we are going to use in our project.

 On 2 sides of the side of the toy, it will extend out and have a squishy toy for the child to squeeze.

One side will have a knob that rotates as it slides up a diagonal path. The other side is a pull string toy, that when the string is pulled, the round part rotates to display a new picture.

Each button has a different animal, that when pushed, will either say their name or play the sound that they make.

The maze will have a knob that the child will grasp and have to slide throughout. Each time they reach an end point in the maze, a light will go off for positive reinforcement.

Each button will have a different color. When the switch is on, the lights will display one at a time and the child will have to push the button which lit up.

There are four different compartments that pop open, each with a different way to open, be it twisting or pushing.

The door is a garage door type, that will be pulled up and pushed down. Inside there will be a slot for a toy or food to be stored inside. The zipper will be beneath the door, and when unzipped, a little figure will be inside.

The doors will be pulled open and pushed closed. Inside there will be a small compartment for the child to reach in and grab either a toy or food.

WEEK THREE ( Concept Brainstorm Update )

At the end of Week 3, the team met up to continue to brainstorm ways to meet the client needs. We built on older ideas and found new methods that we would be able satisfy the problems we were given. By continually brainstorming, we will develop our concepts of the final product.

WEEK THREE Midweek Update ( Concept & Design Brainstorming )

This week, we continued to build on the concepts that we had brainstormed from the last two weeks. However, we are making noticeable progress since we are now moving into the basic designs of our project. While our ideas are still broad, they are continually becoming more developed, which will eventually lead us to our final design.

These are ideas that we conceptualized together.

We also did individual brainstorming to see what unique ideas each person has for the activity conceptualization.

There will be more brainstorming to come for this week so keep on the look out for another update.

WEEK TWO ( Brainstorming sessions, Field research and Toy store Visit)

This week, apart from brainstorming we visit a toy store to get a better idea of the types of toys out there for children under 3. we noticed that most of the toys had a few things in common such as almost all of them had sounds and lights incorporated into them as well as something for the children to grab on to help with diagonal and up and down motion  ( below is a link and video to some of the toys we found).
https://goo.gl/photos/vbSc2fCSWECztuyy9

We brainstormed problems, constraints and needs associated with our project and starting looking at standards and regulations governing children toys.    

WEEK ONE ( Client interview and brainstorming)

Brainstorm (9/19/2015)

Taking into account our client's specifications from our meeting (9/18/2015)

We plan on designing a toy that may assist children with motor/cognitive disabilities. Our intent is that this toy is interactive, FUN, durable, engaging, challenging but not over stimulating. Based on our client interview, our hope is that this toy help children with up and down movement, diagonal movement, learning how to isolate fingers, learning how to latch fingers and extract objects and much more.

Our overall outcome is to improve the dexterity, and develop problem solving skills in children who interact with the Toy.

Conceptual Toy Design. 

Top side: drop box for food/ snacks. Assist with up/down motion battery compartment.

Front side: includes a zipper. Assists with diagonal movement (children will be able to reach in and grabbing  objects)

Back side: interactive maze; assists with swiping left to right.

Right side: buttons that activate prerecorded sounds, gives an option record and play back your own unique sound.

Left side: lights turn on and activate clapping.