Within High Fidelity 2, I have managed to improve my last prototype by adding new features such as being able to remove selected flavour in the basket page and also once the order is complete, staff member is now able to issue ice-cream number that will help to generate the daily summary report.
Below video shows the functionality of the final high fidelity prototyping. This design will be then applied into the creation of the actual windows phone 7 application. However, there might be major design changes as the application is being developed.
After a long consideration of choosing the right software package, I had three choices to choose from: Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft PowerPoint and Justinmind Prototyper. Finally, I decided to go with Microsoft PowerPoint as I am more familiar with the software and I already got in installed on my machine. Adobe Photoshop is too complicated for me and also, it requires a licence in order to use it. My colleagues are using Justinmind Prototyper which looks easy enough to use but I prefer Microsoft PowerPoint anyway.
The whole process of creation took me around 3 days and involved creating the background, buttons and everything else. I have applied all the stated improvements from low fidelity 2 prototype. The below video shows the walk through for high fidelity prototype:
After finishing making improvements for my low fidelity 2, I have progressed into applying every single improvement on paper. First major improvement for my low fidelity 2 was to draw the icon images for each flavour. It took me a lot of time but I got there at the end. I think they look really good and appeal neatly to the whole ice-cream theme. Just by looking at them, I can tell what each of the icons represents.
Adding background theme made my designs look more attractive and eye-catching. It also makes the overall impression of my designs more professional and enjoyable to look at. The improvements can be seen below:
The below video represents my low fidelity 2 as a finish design. Improvements stated in previous post can be noticed straight away.
Low fidelity design number 1 is now done. However, there are several design aspects that needs to be improved in order to make it more functional and look more friendly with the user. Improvements listed below will then progress onto the creation of low fidelity number 2 designs.
First thing that caught my eye while looking at the first design was the background making the whole application design look plain and boring. In order to change that, I have had a good thought about the overall system and I came up with a logo that suits the ice-cream theme.
In my low fidelity 1, I did not have any icons for the flavours that user could choose from. The reason for this is because I did not have any ideas that would associate with the chosen flavours. Therefore, in my low fidelity 2 I will draw specific icon images for specific flavours. This will make my design more attractive to the user and each flavour will be represented by an drawing.
Once testing low fidelity 1 design, the basket section within my project has given me the wrong price calculation after choosing the ‘member’ option. To overcome this issue in the future, I will make sure that I provide correct calculation when choosing the ‘member’ selection.
Overall, low fidelity 2 will eliminate all major mistakes made at the first stage of my project creation. I will include all the above improvements and present it in a form of a movie clip.
This project involved more practical than theory skills. It was all about the ability to build something, being able to write the code and make it work just by using a little board called Arduino. I always thought how people make robots and this project gave me an insight of what it is and how things are made on a higher scale. This was such a great experience as I really enjoyed doing something that I never done before and in fact, it is really fascinating me.
The project itself required several skills. Being able to research everything that was required for the build was vital. Sourcing the right materials required was a difficult task to perform. Another skill that was required within this project is to use the Arduino software for the very first time. Everything looks rather small and it was hard to get used to all the controls and menus. Putting the code inside the software involved searching through the web and some previous gained knowledge. Building the robot was the best part as I love assembling electronic parts, whether it is a computer, remote control car or in this case an UnoTron.
All of the above allowed me to learn something new in my academic life and I am very happy that I could take part in building such an amazing project. Although things did not go as they should, because my robot is not doing what it supposed to do, sometimes it is better to learn on our own mistakes and perform much better in the future. I’d like to thank you for your time reading my posts associated with the Arduino UnoTron.
I have spent the last 6 hours trying to fix all the issues associated with the UnoTron. Just to recap, the following failed to work:
Motor is not going into reverse mode
Ultrasonic Distance Sensor seems to be not working at all
Servo rotates in both directions but the robot only turns right (strange)
I first started to have a look at why the sensor is not working. I have looked everywhere and could not get the right answer. I have checked all the cables copming from the sensor itself to the breadboard. I have had another good look at the code and it seems fine to me, can’t see any errors or code missing (Code compiles too). What I am thinking of, is the sensor itself being damaged and without it, I can’t succeed with my build. The ultrasonic distance sensor is in fact the biggest feature of the UnoTron as it meant to avoid obstacles. I am very disappointed because I followed the instruction build very carefully, did everything as I supposed to and yet it is not working as it should.
For the motor and servo issue, I am blaming the ultrasonic sensor itself. Once the sensor detects an obstacle, it should in theory send the signal to the servo, making the robot go in the right direction and then the servo will pass it on to the motor, making the robot drive around.
Unfortunately, instead, I have a robot that performs amazing circles and in fact, it does it great!
Everything is in one piece… However… The UnoTron is still not running properly. I have tried every single possibility to make it run as it should and I failed. The robot goes forward and steers only to the right for some reason, looks like its doing circles.
Final look of my UnoTron
Final look of my UnoTron
The final video shows how it runs in a much bigger area.
After testing the Arduino UnoTron, I found out that the motor is not working at all. I wondered what causes it and checked the wires again. After good 15 minutes with playing with it, I tried swapping the motor wires into different slots on the breadboard.
Swapping the motor wires
The UnoTron is now finally going forward but that is not the end of my issues…
So far, the UnoTron is able to go forward and steer. However, it does not detect any obstacles in front of it. It also refuses to reverse for some reason. I hope I can solve the sensor issue and get my robot finished.
This is the time to see if my UnoTron will start. Before I inserted the batteries, I have checked all the cables to make sure everything is connected. Here is a video showing the first start:
As you can see, the servo seems to be the only one alive, it continuously tries to steer… And that’s about it…
Motor seems to fail me.
Result? Code seems to be working fine, its now the issue of finding what’s wrong with the motor. I will try and have a go at fixing this problem.
For my Mobile Application module in second year of Computing, I have been asked to build an application that can be used on a Android Phone. The application that I’m going to develop is an ‘Ice Cream Ordering’ application. Its aim is to help a member of staff to order an ice cream on the customer’s behalf, and the member of staff will also be able to access the daily report based on a number of ice creams being sold.
First of all, I have began the process of building the application, I started drafting the design of the app on paper. The reason for doing this is so I have an idea on what the application will look like and what it will do.
Practice Drawings
Step 1: Drawing the Home Screen.
First drawing involved my home screen where it will all begin. This is how it looks like:
Home Screen
Step 2: Menu Screen
I have then attempted at drawing the menu screen which has two options: One to create new order and second one to print daily report.
Main Menu
Step 3: Selection Menu
This menu presents the selection menu where all the orders will take place. Ice-Creams will be added using the ‘+’ or delete using ‘-‘ button. Once ready, ‘Proceed’ will take it onto the next page.
Selection Menu
Step 4: Basket
This page represents the basket. It is the summary of what has been ordered and will show the price of all ice-creams and will also enable to choose whether the customer is an existing member which will issue an 10% discount. As soon as the ‘Membership’ is chosen, the total will adjust to the current price.
Basket
Testing: Low Fidelity 1
Below, there is an test video of my classmate operating my systems and spotting any issues that will be resolved in low fidelity 2 design.
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