Hot Noodle
Description:
We built an IoT WiFi-enabled smart pool sensor that texts you to alert you of different features (e.g. hot tub temperature)! It can float aimlessly or move around on its own with a 3D-printed propeller! Check out our well-documented Github (w/ visual step-by-step guide)!
Inspiration:
My (Nigel) father owns a pool business and his clients always have to be aware of chemical inbalances and other features in their pool so I decided instead of having people constantly check their pools, they could just get notified directly via an IoT smart pool device that floats around the pool or hottub.
What it does:
Sends you an SMS text message via WiFi from an onboard sensor suite that floats around in your pool. The sensors can tell you different things but the main use case we built was a hot tub "readiness" alert system.
How we built it:
We used a DragonBoard 410c with the Debian Linux RTOS, and using an Arduino Uno we were able to serially send data from the sensor to a Python client on the DragonBoard. The client would then connect to a Google Cloud VM server we built also using Python and would text you with updates via Twilio! The floating HotNoodle device was built using popsicle sticks and hot glue with a cut-up pool noodle, and is motor-powered with a 3D-printed propeller.
Challenges we ran into:
Many!! Our first challenge was not being able to use the pH sensors that were available to us due to issues reading from the device, we believe it to be a hardware issue. So we then switched to temperature sensing and the next challenge was using the Mezzanine suite provided to us by MLH to interface with the DragonBoard. We decided to ditch that in favor of a much more usable Arduino Uno since that was basically the same exact interface. Learning how to navigate the DragonBoard was definitely challenging since it was an on-board RTOS with Debian and presented its own host of issues we had to work around. At first we had a Java server with a Python script on the Google Cloud VM but decided to ditch the Java server in favor of a replica Python server. Networking was also spotty. 3D printing was actually quite a big challenge because even a millimeter off can make a big difference and some of the prints failed as well and were very time-consuming. The final challenge was staying up late to make everything look polished and nice!!
Accomplishments that we're proud of:
We built something from scratch from start to finish incorporating many different features of hardware we had never used before. 3D-printing, building a flotation device, documentation, building a Python client/server, interfacing with a DragonBoard and Arduino Uno. There were many components that we all worked hard to make work in a short amount of time and are glad to say it works!!
What we learned:
A LOT. How to solder, how to use a Debian Linux RTOS on a DragonBoard, how to create a Python client/server, how to build a flotation device, how to create beautiful documentation, how to use Google Cloud VM, how to read data from a temperature sensor, how to create an Arduino project, how to network, how to 3D print, and how to troubleshoot!
What's next:
We'd like to potentially improve this product into a better smart home product for your pool that consumers can easily use and add on more sensors like pH sensing, chlorine sensing, detecting if someone peed in your pool, or maybe even some RGB lighting!
Built with:
Python, Google Cloud VM, DragonBoard 410c, Arduino Uno, 3D-Printing, Pool Noodle, Popsicle Sticks, DC Motor w/ 9V battery, Debian Linux, Hot Glue, chronjob (linux), Waterproof Temperature Sensor, and countless man hours of blood, sweat, and tears.
Prizes we're going for:
Arteck HB030 Portable Keyboard
HAVIT RGB Mechanical Keyboard
Google Home Mini
DragonBoard 410c
$100 Amazon Gift Cards
Grand Prize
Lutron Caseta Wireless Kit
Hexacopter Drone
Raspberry Pi Arcade Gaming Kit