Early Prototyping of SipSafe

Sharing my first prototype for a device that can detect a person within 18 inches and that will start a motor. When person moves away, it turns off, I used an Arduino, a distance motion sensor, a motor, and a battery pack. The first one is pretty basic but very excited to try Arduino. Lot of mechanical issues.

Sensor does not consistently detect users, the actuator often misses or applies too much pressure on the button. Testing this version at the Kirkland Library, where I learned a lot of issues.

Have to improve accuracy, shift to building quick, low-cost prototypes using cardboard for now. This will allow me to make many trials without any cost. just using Amazon boxes and some roof gutter pieces my dad has lying around.

Key learnings: need precise alignment, important to customize pressure control, need to make everything separate so I can make changes to one part without changing another. Not sure if there's a way to control pressure.