Project Overview
6.08, Embedded Systems, is a class focusing on introducing students to embedded systems using Arduino. Throughout the semester, our labs focused on various electronic components, such as IMU's and GPS modules, to build and code all sorts of various projects, most of which used Arduino code as well as server-side code that would run more complex computation from a network of Arduinos. The class concluded with an open-ended final project, the main guideline being: "Do something interesting and hard."
Our Project
In a team of four, we decided to build a planning system, allowing friends to plan events of any type, at any time, and in any place. We created a system using both server-side and arduino components that allows users to quickly send event invites to each other.When creating a future event with someone, or a group of people, the initial user (the one who sends the invite) will specify a range of times, event type, and their home location. Then server will check everyone’s Google Calendar for free times within the range of times the initial user established, and then return a list of free times to the initial user. Furthermore, the server will check the home locations of each of the users who have accepted the invite, and then return a list of three potential event locations to the initial user. The initial user will then select which of the time and event location he or she wants. The final location will then be sent to each of the invited users, along with the address and time of the event. Then, the server will add all the information to each of the users’ Google Calendar. Our system also supports “now” events. Now events allow two or more users to create an event for now, using current locations pulled from the ESP’s GPS. The initial user still receives a list of locations and selects the one they want, but instead of adding the event to users’ calendars, the server simply returns the address, place name, and a list of estimated arrival times for each user, so you know when you’re friends are going to arrive.
What I Learned
Our project required C++, Python, persistent database storage, communication with a server, internet requests, and hardware design, like GPS, managing power consumption navigating the system, and displaying information cleanly to the user. I learned a lot about each individual aspect of the project, how to assemble a fully functional system, as well as working effectively in a project team.
6.08, Embedded Systems, is a class focusing on introducing students to embedded systems using Arduino. Throughout the semester, our labs focused on various electronic components, such as IMU's and GPS modules, to build and code all sorts of various projects, most of which used Arduino code as well as server-side code that would run more complex computation from a network of Arduinos. The class concluded with an open-ended final project, the main guideline being: "Do something interesting and hard."
Our Project
In a team of four, we decided to build a planning system, allowing friends to plan events of any type, at any time, and in any place. We created a system using both server-side and arduino components that allows users to quickly send event invites to each other.When creating a future event with someone, or a group of people, the initial user (the one who sends the invite) will specify a range of times, event type, and their home location. Then server will check everyone’s Google Calendar for free times within the range of times the initial user established, and then return a list of free times to the initial user. Furthermore, the server will check the home locations of each of the users who have accepted the invite, and then return a list of three potential event locations to the initial user. The initial user will then select which of the time and event location he or she wants. The final location will then be sent to each of the invited users, along with the address and time of the event. Then, the server will add all the information to each of the users’ Google Calendar. Our system also supports “now” events. Now events allow two or more users to create an event for now, using current locations pulled from the ESP’s GPS. The initial user still receives a list of locations and selects the one they want, but instead of adding the event to users’ calendars, the server simply returns the address, place name, and a list of estimated arrival times for each user, so you know when you’re friends are going to arrive.
What I Learned
Our project required C++, Python, persistent database storage, communication with a server, internet requests, and hardware design, like GPS, managing power consumption navigating the system, and displaying information cleanly to the user. I learned a lot about each individual aspect of the project, how to assemble a fully functional system, as well as working effectively in a project team.
