14.09.2020

Y9 Students develop distance measuring device

Since the beginning of the pandemic, we know that one of the most effective ways against the spread of the coronavirus is social distancing. With this in mind, 9th graders (Y9) started a project during the Design Lab classes aiming at measuring distances. Still during the on-site classes, they learned programming using Arduino, a free hardware. Arduino is a single board and electronic prototyping platform, which creates accessible, low-cost, flexible and easy-to-use tools.

The first device developed by students was an electronic distance measuring, composed of 4 Arduino controllers, covering a 360º radius around it. The idea is that the device be fixed on the wallets, signaling and emitting sounds and lights similar to the information of a traffic light. Therefore, the green color will be used to inform that the distance is safe, yellow for attention, and red (with emission of sound) signaling that it is necessary to review the distance. For this activity, students prepared a sketch of the project, which will be concluded when on-site classes are resumed.

After the completion of the first stage, the group discussed the possibility of developing a device that could circulate with people. From this point, students had the idea of elaborating the distance collar.

The device consists of informing the user of the distance in relation to another person, preventing a possible spread of the virus. Two mechanisms, a receiver and a transmitter, makes sending and receiving information in real time possible, as well as seeing on the device’s display whether the distance is adequate or not. Another Micro programming platform has been used for the new project: BIT, also called BBC Micro Bit. BIT consists of a single board computer that uses an ARM processor. Created by BBC, this platform aims to educate children and teenagers about the basic concepts of computing and computer programming.

Still in the development process, the collars are scheduled to be tested as soon as we resume on-site classes. Kits containing the material necessary for the construction of the devices have already been delivered to students. At this stage of the process, each student is able to enter the code and test the prototype with their peers.