August 25, 2024
Innovation is often a journey paved with failures, frustrations, and countless iterations. My project—a microcontroller-based device designed to vibrate every 15 minutes as a behavioral cue—has been no exception. This device aims to help users maintain focus or remind them to take breaks, much like the Pomodoro method. In this post, I'll walk you through the evolution of this device, sharing my early failures, the lessons learned, and the significant improvements made along the way.
The Beginning: A Series of Failures
My journey started with numerous failed attempts. Whether it was faulty circuits or incorrect components, each failure taught me something new and honed my hands-on skills. These early challenges were frustrating, but they also fueled my determination to get it right.
The First Portable Version: Success at Last
After countless attempts, I finally developed the first portable version of the device. This version used an Adafruit Gemma microcontroller and, as planned, vibrated every 15 minutes. To add more value, I integrated a voice recorder for journaling. This was the first time the concept felt tangible, but there was still plenty of room for improvement.
Refining the Design: A More Functional Approach
The next version of the device took on a more refined rectangular prism shape. This iteration included a display to show specific messages at specific times, an on-off switch, an improved vibrating motor, and a better battery. These enhancements made the device more practical for daily use.
Integrating into Everyday Life: The Belt Clip Model
My goal was always to create a device that could seamlessly integrate into everyday life. The first attempt at this was a belt clip model. This version featured a smaller microprocessor, a bigger vibrating motor for increased sensitivity, and a larger battery. Despite these improvements, the device was too thick to be practical.
Compact and Practical: The Final Belt Clip Iteration
Learning from the previous version, I made the final belt clip model much more compact by squishing everything together as much as possible. This version still included the key components: a vibrating motor, display, Pro Micro, and a more ergonomic design. It was a major step forward in making the device truly portable and user-friendly.
Advanced Functionality: ESP32 and OLED Display
The next evolution of the device was integrating an ESP32 with an OLED display. This version allowed users to touch the display, perform various commands, and view planned events throughout the day. The integration with Google Calendar was a game-changer, making the device not just a behavioral cue tool but a daily planning assistant.
The Final Version: Emotion Tracking and Advanced Features
The last version of the device took everything I had learned and added even more functionality. With a bigger display and battery, this version included emotion tracking, allowing users to log their feelings throughout the day. This data could be saved to Google Calendar, enabling users to analyze trends and understand how their emotions fluctuate over time.
Conclusion:
From the initial failures to the final product, this journey has been a testament to the power of persistence, creativity, and continuous improvement. Each version of the device brought new challenges and opportunities for learning, leading to a product that I believe can genuinely help people manage their time and emotions more effectively. I hope this story inspires others to keep pushing forward, even when the going gets tough.