Team Member Spotlight – Prabhpreet Singh

Prabhpreet Singh
Software Engineer
Expected Graduation December 2018
Project Software Designer
I was brought up in Punjab, India for my first decade of lifetime. As growing up I always had a passion for technology and art. With these two passions I was able to create some very unique projects throughout my lifetime. My first project was a waterboat made with paper which was powered by a small electric fan. I also have a great passion for photography and video making. Combining both of these skills allowed to learn much more about computers and how technology works.
I joined EPICS mainly because it was a requirement for my technical elective. But after choosing this project I could see how important this project could be for the homeless people. I always believed that everyone has the ability to help the needy. From this project I get inspiration to help people with a secure place to keep their belongings.
In the future, I would like to continue building for the better of this society. I would like to find a job in the front end development of softwares and create easy and meaningful softwares.

Project Update

Initially, combining the two distinct needs of the Gilroy Compassion Center and AtHack Inc was a glaring setback for the team. We have found a solution by working on two separate but related deliverables for each community partner: new working lockers for the GCC and a more complex smart locker system design for AtHack. Acknowledging the lack of tech support the GCC has had with their smart lockers, we are planning on creating easy to use mechanical lockers with charging ports inside. The lockers are set to be modular in design so there will be a level of customizability with the size and shape of locker doors. The GCC locker designs will serve as a starting point and will be updated with more features for the AtHack design.

Currently, two locker designs have been drafted in SOLIDWORKS incorporating the Ikea inspired idea, one shown below.

We are also considering the concept of an openable frame that opens all lockers at once to act as a master key for all the lockers. The lock design and manufacturing company, Digilock, also provide a possible solution to a smart mechanical lock. The product we are considering offers a fair amount of security with its mechanical user set combination and master key override.

Digilock’s mechanical locker lock
Find more information here: https://digilock.com/locker-locks/mech/

On, Friday, October 12, we met with technical advisor Dr. Rhee to discuss the potential problems with the designs. She has given us valuable insight on subjects to analyze with the proposed locker such as the heat generated from the outlets if all were used at once and a manufacturer-friendly design.

 

Team Member Spotlight – Sabrina Miller

Sabrina Miller

Mechanical Engineer

Expected Graduation December 2018

Co-Project Manager

 

I am born and raised here in San Jose, CA. One of my main hobbies is volunteering with dog rescue. I have been a foster and adoption coordinator to help rescue dogs. My other sort of hobby would be music, particularly going to live music. The way music events bring people together but each person has their completely unique experience of the music is just really amazing and I love going to all types of music shows.

 

I joined EPICS because I liked that I would get to work on a project to directly make an impact. We have a unique opportunity to do something for community good with our design projects which is something I hope to carry over into where I find a job after graduation.

 

My future plans are to hopefully find a job with a technology company where the work were doing makes an impact for good. There are so many struggles that people in the world currently face could be solved with new technologies. I hope to get to be a part of that.

Introducing Smart Lockers 2.0

Purpose

Smart Lockers 2.0 strives to design and construct smart lockers for our Community Partner, the Gilroy Compassion Center. Our main objective is to improve upon the first design of the locker so it is able to fit the short term and long term needs of both of our community partners. The lockers will not require an attendant to assign lockers and passcodes. Such tasks will be handled by the user through a connected tablet. The insides of the locker will also have power outlets to charge electronic devices while they are securely stored. Ideally, the maintenance of these lockers will be very low while also being secure and reliable.

Our Partners

Our Community partners, AtHack Inc. and Gilroy Compassion Center, have an interest in this project. The GCC was established in 2011 and has been providing help, services, and shelter to homeless people. They treat their people with compassion as they are going through the tough time in their lives. The lockers for the GCC center acknowledge the rising homeless population and the need for impoverished people to store their belongings when searching for jobs and housing. AtHack Inc. is a non-profit corporation that strives to combat modern slavery with technology. They rose to fight traffickers who use technology to exploit others. They want to support initiatives that can further help these programs help victims in shelters get back to a normal life.

Meet our team

Eric Luong

Mechanical Engineering — Expected Graduation date: 2019

Co-project manager —Liaison

Sabrina Miller

Mechanical Engineering — Expected Graduation date: 2019

Co-project manager — Liaison

Garrett Fonseca

Mechanical Engineering — Expected Graduation date: 2019

Mechanical design

Axel Hugo

Computer Engineering — Expected Graduation date: 2019

Software design

Daniel Maloney

Mechanical Engineering — Expected Graduation date: 2019

Mechanical design

Prabhpreet Singh

Software Engineering — Expected Graduation date: 2020

Software design

Irina Gail Tabor

Mechanical Engineering — Expected Graduation date: 2020

Technical writer