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Welcome to TAMUhack Week!

Hardware 101

Let’s get hacking! :)

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Hardware 101 Syllabus

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Definition

what is required of a hardware project

Projects

some inspo to get started

Survival Guide

tools, resources, and limitations

Q/A

Saturn was named after a Roman god

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Hardware?

Hardware will be a separate, overall track (1st, 2nd, 3rd) in addition to software. Additionally, there will be unique, hardware challenges such as “Best Medical Device”, “Internet of Things”, and “Best Beginner”.

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Likes:

  • formula 1
  • cats
  • tamuhack
  • red pasta

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Dislikes:

  • bush campers
  • white pasta

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Nafi

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🚫

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TEAMS & OUTLOOK > SLACK & GMAIL

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HOT TAKE

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🙀

🙀

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What’s a hardware hack?

  • Official Definition:
    • Hardware projects involve creating or modifying physical devices or components as their baseline. This includes but is not limited to building prototypes, integrating sensors, or designing electronic circuits. These projects, unlike software, require tangible materials, tools for construction, and require some level of assembling and testing physical objects. On the other hand, software projects are typically purely hosted on one’s device and do not have any connection to a physical system. Both types of projects may require a certain degree of programming but ultimately are distinct as they solve issues in varying fields.

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Past Hardware Projects

  • TAMUhack 2023 - Winner: Hardware Hack
    • Muscle Motors: a small, mobile robot that can be controlled by a user’s muscle’s
  • HowdyHack 2022 - 2nd Place
    • Bitwise Boogie: a robot that dances and brings joy
  • TAMUhack 2020 - Winner: Hardware Hack
    • ThirdEye.py: a hardware prototype that assists the visually impaired with object and person identification with advanced technical capabilities
  • TAMUhack 2016 - Winner: AWS & GM Challenge
    • TireSafe: a hardware prototype that uses machine learning to alert drivers of their tire health
  • TAMUhack 2016 - 1st Place
    • midas: an automated trading system for the Robinhood App using a robotic arm

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Past Hardware Projects

  • TAMUhack 2023
    • Aero Check: a portable, wireless device that checks for hazardous air quality
  • TAMUhack 2023
    • Robo Rev: a prototype of a robotic dog that utilizes machine learning to detect objects and has command perception capability
  • TAMUhack 2022
    • Programmable Table Lamp: a functional, customizable table lamp
  • TAMUhack 2019
    • Autonomous Augmented Reality Maintenance Vehicle: a vehicle that mitigates technician risk and scans an aircraft for damaged parts
  • TAMUhack 2016
    • Air Drum Glove: a smart glove that detects hand movements and translates them to drum set sounds

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Potential Project Ideas

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Survival Guide - Limitations

  • Physical Components
    • troubleshooting: physical design, material properties, electronic component capabilities, soldering, circuit design
  • Integration
    • compatibility between components (motors, microcontrollers, sensors, etc)
  • Power Management and Efficiency
    • balance power consumption! don’t fry your parts (no ohmlettes)

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solution: research & plan accordingly!

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Survival Guide - Tools & Resources

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  • Basic Hardware Tools
    • Microcontrollers: Arduino Uno 3 and Raspberry Pi 4
    • Power Management: Battery Holder (BYOB) & Plug-In Power Supply
    • Sensors & Parts: Motion, Light, Temperature / Humidity, Bluetooth, Sound, LCD, Motor Kit
    • Accessories: Breadboards, Wires, LEDs, Multimeters
    • Not Provided: Pliers, Wire Strippers, Screwdrivers, Jumper Wires
  • Additional Tools
    • Software: Arduino IDE (firmware), Autodesk (CAD), LTSpice (simulation)
    • Hardware (NP): 3D Printers, Oscilloscope, Soldering Iron
  • Educational Resources
    • Forums: r/electronics, EEVblog, hackaday.io
    • YouTube: GreatScott!, Afrotechmods
    • Internet Resources: Arduino, Raspberry Pi

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Hardware Starter Guide

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hardware starter guide contains components guide, guidelines document, and pick up time table

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Live Demo!

Goal: Use 3 LEDs to represent when there is an object in front of the left and right mirrors of a car. Additionally, use the third LED to represent when there is an object at the rear.

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Prerequisite Concepts & Materials

Concepts:

  • Breadboarding
  • Series Configurations
  • Infrared Sensor Specifications
  • Diode Specifications
  • Resistor Specifications

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Formulas:

R = Vs - Vf / If

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Materials:

  • Arduino Uno
  • Avoidance Sensors
  • LEDs
  • Resistors
  • Jumper Wires
  • Breadboard

Nice to have: multimeter, potentiometer screwdriver, tweezer

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Resistors

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LED (Government Name: Diode)

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Basic Schematic for Sensor + LED

note: pin assignments should match the hardware connection and the code

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Full Schematic for Multiple Sensor + LED

note: pin assignments should match the hardware connection and the code

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Code

Repository: https://github.com/nafi-islam/intro-to-hardware

Files:

  • AvoidanceSensorTest.ino: code to test IR sensor functionality
  • LEDTest.ino: code to test LED functionality
  • ObjectDetectionAlert.ino: code to use for avoidance (IR) sensor + LED
  • MultiObjectDetectionAlert.ino: code to use for multiple sets of avoidance/LED
  • BlindspotRearHeadlights.ino: code to incorporate a photoresistor

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Q/A

Project Ideas

plotting ideas

Fixes

how to avoid challenges

what determines a hardware project

Hardware Hacks

Challenges

what problems you might run into