Category Archives: Updates

SmartLockers Complete Assembly

After much work, the parts have been assembled and the SmartLocker is complete. There are a few QA points that need to be looked over and additional testing to be done. Once all those are complete, the team is planning to schedule a time to deploy the system to the Gilroy Compassion Center.

Each locker has a power outlets and USB charger.  All the units are set on top of a wood platform.

The units are riveted together

The lockers will run through a tip over test to see how much force is need to tip over the system as well as a heat test. The plan is to also brace the locker to the wall to avoid the system from falling over in an earthquake.

Smart Locker UI and Electronics Locks

The software side of the project is close to completion. The user mobile interface design that will be used for the lockers has been completed. There is minor software issues that still need to be resolved before it is transferred to the TI platform. The back-end software development has been completed and it will be tested once the interface design is on the TI platform. The picture below shows the user interface design.

The software team also managed to figure out how to properly connect a solenoid lock to the CC3220SF microcontroller and issue commands to it such as unlocking for a set time period then locking again. The team still needs to figure out how to add more than one lock to the microcontroller and develop an algorithm. There will be more updates in a later blog. The picture below show our current algorithm design.

Feedback and Production

Testing continues with the locker system. Expected power usage is being measured for expected and worst case. Heat testing and tipping over testing is currently waiting for the production model to continue.

The Gilroy Compassion Center has validated and verified the functionality and design of the prototype locker. They have provided feedback that has allowed the team to move forward with the production model.

The software side of the project has begun to work on the user mobile interface that will be used for the lockers. The back end software development has been completed but it will not be tested until the interface design has been completed. The interface will be created using Adobe XD and will follow a similar structure to that of Amazon Lockers. Following the current flow chart created by the team from Fall 2018 shown below, the design will include a similar structure with a better unique look that will make the SmartMake mobile site more engaging.

Lastly, the team is also planning on incorporating a solenoid lock with WiFi capabilities. Said design will allow us to connect the locks to a mobile device. Since the software side is still in the design/ prototype creation phase, this task needs to be completed in order to move forward with the remaining production specs. More information and updates will be available in the upcoming weeks.  

 

Folding Concept, Prototyping, and IEEE Expo

The SmartLockers team discussed ideas for the concept folding locker. The goal of the locker is to have a set of folding locker to accommodate for pop-up camps and field events.  The design will allow for quick deployment and take-down. The idea was a brain child of our community partner Ehb Teng from AtHack, inc. A few CAD drawing were made to further develop the design.

Regarding the main design.  There are a few tasks that need to be completed. The first task is to test the prototype’s heat dissipation, tilt safety and current draw to ensure design verification of the locker. The team is scheduled to test the prototype next week before meeting with GCC to validate the design. The second task is to get feedback from the Gilroy Compassion Center to validate and verify the functionality and design of the prototype locker. A meeting has been scheduled to meet with the GCC. The third task is to integrate the user interface software with the locker and test its usability. Once these tasks are approved and verified, our last task would be to send the design to a outside machine shop to build a set with the specified  materials and dimensions. A Prototype was made using a thinner gauge sheet metal to get an idea of the dimensions.

Additionally, the team presented at the IEEE Expo in February.  The expo was in partnership with San Jose State University and Santa Clara University to show of community projects from both schools.  A handful of participants received grants funding to expand the scope of the projects. The project that received funding for SJSU EPICS include, Team Aquaponics, Underwater ROV team, and the SmartLocker Team.

Moving Forward With New Ideas – SmartLockers

This week, the SmartLockers team developed  sketches for some new concepts and ideas to integrate into our existing design for the purpose of making the lockers more modular. The team met this week on February 12 to discuss these lockers’ new design; the sketches and brainstorming are shown on the image to the right.  

The idea is to add hinges on the inside edges of each locker to make them easier to set up and put away. In other words, this would be a “fold-able” concept. This idea surfaced when it came to stability. One team member pointed out that by placing rod-type of design on each edge, the lockers would be placed in one space and would not be able to move once set up. Additionally, a wooden locker prototype was also shown and discussed upon among the team. Lastly, this week the team also focused on designing a poster and presentation for the IEEE expo on February 18.

After creating a draft for both items, it was then presented to Dr. Julia Thompson during the following class hours. Using Dr. Thompson’s constructive criticism and feedback, the team worked on polishing the project presentation while spending time during class to finish the project poster. This included editing text, creating new image concepts, and striving to make the poster look more appealing. After working on it later that night, the team sent the poster to Dr. Thompson to be printed. To the right  is the final poster creation that will be shown and demoed at the expo.