Module 3 Final Prototype

Weekly Activity Template by Olivia Ho

Project 3

In Module 3, we brought everything together into a fully integrated prototype called Papa Bear’s Pantry. In this phase we moved from creating a cardboard prototype to a laser-cut and connected the ProtoPie interface with the Arduino dispensing mechanism.

Activity 1: User Interface / Product Design

Moving from the sketches, I wanted to quickly test layout and basic interaction ideas without committing to high fidelity wireframes. We used these to explore layout and plan out cardboard prototype. Also explored shape of vending machine, proportions, screen placements, and where physical components would go.

Activity 2: Arduino Coding / Circuit

For this final project Evan had already tested with both the stepper motor and the servo motors in Project 2. The question came down to if it was possible to run two of either on the motor shield. The motor shield we borrowed was the Arduino Motor shield rev3, the pins on it were relatively easy to set up for one of either motor type but setting up two proved challenging. Pictured below are working code snippets of both running a single motor.

Activity 3: Laser Cut / Construction

Using a lasercut file from another vending machine project on Instructables, Evan created the lasercut mapping for the vending machine and we put the pieces together using wood glue borrowed from the Crafts and Design department.

Activity 4: ProtoPie

While I handled porting the wireframes to ProtoPie along with the essential screen toggling features, Evan handled the complicated integrations of variables, conditions, and assign values to allow for more nuanced interactions in the prototype.

Activity 5: User Testing

Across multiple user testings, participants were generally able to complete the core task of purchasing items quickly, most of them being able to do it under 30 seconds. This helped validate that our vending machine flow worked well with what users were already familiar with.

Project 3: Final Prototype

Papa Bear's Pantry

In Module 3, we brought everything together into a fully integrated prototype called Papa Bear’s Pantry. In this phase we moved from creating a cardboard prototype to a laser-cut and connected the ProtoPie interface with the Arduino dispensing mechanism.