Physical Distancing Restaurant Indicator
Since the start of the pandemic, there has become a sort of new restaurant edicate to practising social distancing. I’ve seen it done in several ways but one of the main ways is to have a puck or a card that you can flip over and one side means it’s okay for the waiter to come to the table and the other means not to come near. This in my opinion is a flawed design because the waiter still needs to come somewhat close in order to see the puck/card, almost defeating the purpose. This wearable offers 3 options to communicate to waiters at a much greater distance so they can see across the restaurant and not have to approach. This wouldn’t necessarily be something everyone wears but for the few who just want that extra level of protection. The device slips on to the user’s arm and has 3 LED states that can communicate to the waiters. The first is a flashing green light that indicates that you want the waiter to approach to order or ask questions or pay the bill. The second is a dripping blue light that communicates that you would like a refill or water. The third being a consistent red light meaning you’re good and no need to come close to your table. There is also a 4th state of just no LEDs. The states are changed by the user clicking a button to cycle through the different states.
Final Photos:
Parts List:
Circuit Playground Express https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333
3 Jumper Wires https://www.adafruit.com/product/1957
Battery Pack & USB to Micro USB Cord
LED stick 8 Compatible Neopixel (WS2812 5050 RGB LED) https://www.adafruit.com/product/1426
Solder
Cardboard
Electrical Tape
Hot Glue
Tissue Paper
Arm Band
Circuit Diagram:
GitHub Code Link:
https://github.com/ethangriffin6/Advanced-Wearables-Assignment-1/blob/main/AWAssignment1.ino
Process Photos:
I started off creating the circuit and making the code work how I wanted. Once I had that done I soldered the wires to the correct positions on the neopixel stick, then planned how I was going to assemble the device. Then began hot glueing all the parts together. Then used white tissue paper to defuse the lights. Once it all fit together and I knew it worked I used electrical tape to secure the separate parts to an arm band for the user to wear.
This was the first time I had soldered since high school, and I feel like I did a somewhat rough job at that so that is something I know I can improve on for next time. Also if I hit the button to fast after previously hitting it it won’t work because it has to run fully through its loop before the button will activate another change of state.