Projects
Over the years I have had the chance to work on some interesting technical projects outside of the working environment. Some of these were part of my studies, while others were just little projects that I decided to do in order to maintain and improve my technical capabilities as a design engineer. This page provides a broad overview of some of the projects that I have had the privilege to work on or be a part of.
PixLED
Produced as part of the group business design project element of Bath University's electronic and electrical engineering degree, a full business plan was produced considering aspects from sourcing and financing through to up-scaling and future investment planning. This provided the opportunity to view engineering from a more business centred mindset, offering useful insight into the decision making process that any new company would have to work through in order to be successful.
The PixLED-X1 was designed as a new and novel way for companies and individuals to engage with customers at trade shows, lobbies and waiting rooms. Offering multi-touch sensing, full-colour illumination and expandable modes of operation, the PixLED-X1 was designed as a modular wall-mounted unit. It formed an interactive surface of 8 by 10 full-colour touch sensitive pixels, each 50mm by 50mm. Designed to function as either a stand-alone product or part of a larger system, it came fitted with IR communications windows on each of its four edges and a USB connection. The firmware was custom made to allow new interaction packages to be installed following purchase.
By the conclusion of the project a full working prototype had been produced, and this is now used at the University open days each year.
The Mouse Race Challenge
The mouse race challenge is one of the things that Bath electronic engineering students most eagerly look forward to in their first and second year. Formed as part of an assessed module, the mouse race project requires three 2nd year engineers to design and build a robot capable of making it around the mouse track. The track is marked out by an AC current carrying wire. Using inductors as its sensors the 'mouse' must measure the strength of the AC signal, controlling two differential motors according to the relative position of this wire between its sensors.
This project is a nice introduction to control theory. The competitive (final race day) element helps add to the fun of the exercise, providing students a chance to test out theories and ideas in effort to better their own lap times.