Tag: Arduino

Project Update (week 8-9)

Wearable Technology

To embark on our project on wearable technology, I went to buy cloths and electronics.

Choosing the necessary electronics

I had to choose between two types of lilypad main boards, one with USB port for charging and programming and another without the ports but with more holes. I decided to get the one with the ports so I don’t need to buy additional components, such as the ports.

Other electronics I bought include an infrared sensor, RGB LED and conductive thread.

Choosing between two Lilypads
Choosing between two Lilypads

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creating textures on the surface of polyester fabric
First, I tied marbles with the polyester fabric.
First, I tie marbles with the polyester fabric.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After I have finished attaching three dimensional objects on to the polyester fabric.
End product with three dimensional objects (marbles and pleating made with aluminium foils) attach onto the polyester fabric.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before I start boiling the fabric, I did some research to make sure that I do not burn my fabric. I made some reference to this PDF: The effect of changing temperature on polyester

Next, I wrap the fabric with the marbles in aluminium foil (like the roast chicken in NTUC) and place it in a pot to boil for about 45 minutes.
Next, I wrap the fabric with the marbles in aluminium foil (like the roast chicken in NTUC) and place it in a pot to boil for about 45 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After 45 minutes, I flip open the lid of the pot to check if the fabric have change its form under heat. Apparently, it was loose. So I place it back to boil for a second time (about another 30 minutes).
After 45 minutes, I flip open the lid of the pot to check if the fabric have change its form under heat.
Apparently, it was loose. So I place it back to boil for a second time (about another 30 minutes).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the second boiling, I took out the fabric using tongs and placed it on top of a towel to cool.
After the second boiling, I take out the fabric using tongs and place it on top of a towel to cool.
After the second boiling, I took out the fabric using tongs and placed it on top of a towel to cool.
When the fabric has cooled, I remove all the marbles and aluminium foils.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the fabric has cooled
Removing the aluminum foil to reveal the pleated fabric
process 10
Pleated fabric

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pleated fabric
Pleated fabric

 

 

 

 

 

 

I let the fabric dry under room temperature.
I let the fabric dry under room temperature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

process 6 process 7 process 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A second piece I made which is smaller than the first one.
A second piece I made which is smaller than the first one.

 

Testing the RGB LED with conductive thread: Apparently, the light did not light up when I used the conductive thread in replacement of wires...more testing with soldering needs to be done.
Testing the RGB LED with Arduino Uno using conductive threads: Apparently, the light did not light up when I used the conductive thread in replacement of wires…more testing with soldering needs to be done.

 

 

 

Changing the colour of the lights by working between the numbers 0 to 255 on the RGB colour codes(refer to RGB colour codes chart).
Changing the colour of the lights by working between the numbers 0 to 255 on the RGB colour codes using Arduino programming kit (refer to RGB colour codes chart). To do so, you have to download and install Adafruit_neopixel.

Credits to Nagar, Kamaru, and Randall for guidance.

RGB Colour Codes Chart

 

Working on the dress

Previously, I have created a sketch of the dress inspired by Jellyfish.

Sketch of Jellyfish dress
Sketch of Jellyfish dress

With guidance by my professor, Galina, I have managed to create a simple dress with some alterations made to the initial sketch.

Dress idea 1
Dress idea 1
Dress idea 2
Dress idea 2
Dress idea 3
Dress idea 3
Dress idea 4
Dress idea 4
Dress idea 5
Dress idea 5
Close up of asymmetrical layering of fabric
Close up of asymmetrical layering of fabric
Top view
Top view

More coming up…

Programming

Arduino

This post is a reflection on what I have learnt in programming during the lesson on week 4.

Programming can be summarised into three terms:

Input –> Controller –> Output

Using Arduino, a software development kit (SDK), we can programme electronic components such as the LilyPad in three steps:

Programme –> Compile –> Upload

To start off, we download the software here and install it for use.

Once the software installation is complete, we can open by double-clicking the icon and we should get what is shown in Fig. 1.1.

Fig. 1.1 Arduino is a software development kit (SDK) which can be used to programme Uno, Mega and Lilypad
Fig. 1.1
Arduino is a software development kit (SDK) which can be used to programme Uno, Mega and LilyPad

 

LED Light and Infrared Sensor

To begin, we connect the LilyPad in place using a USB adapter to our computers/ laptops.

Lilypad with USB adapter
Lilypad with USB adapter

Next we proceed to a number of steps to test for the LED light:

  1. “Tools” –> “Board…” –> “LilyPad Arduino”
  2. “Tools –> “Port”
  3. “File” –> “Examples” –> “01. Basics” –> “Blink” (Fig. 1.2)
Fig. 1.2
Fig. 1.2

We attach an LED light to the LilyPad using wire cables, where the positive terminal (Anode) of the LED is the longer end as compared to the negative terminal (Cathode).

LED
Blue LED
Hunter-Decoder-Cable
Wire cable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To verify for errors during programming, we can click on the tick button (Fig. 1.3) and refer to a black bar below (Fig. 1.4).

 

 

Programming 1.3
Fig. 1.3 Verify errors and upload

 

Fig. 1.4 Black bar and red highlights for errors
Fig. 1.4
Black bar and red highlights for errors

Refer to Fig. 1.5 for more.

Programming 1.5
Fig. 1.5

To conclude, the lesson on programming was something new to me. I learnt the physical appearances and to differentiate between components such as the old LilyPad versions from the new ones (New version has an additional SD card holder unlike the old version that only has a charging port). I believe that there is still a long way before we can materialise our learnings through hands-on practice. I hope that my post would be beneficial in guiding me and my peers to do well in programming.