Interactive Key Hook
Inspired by my roommate’s forgetfulness, I tackled a serious issue: forgetting your keys at home. Through multiple iterations of enclosures and circuits, this final product senses the weight of the key on the hook, and the opening and closing of a door, and the device loudly and brightly notifies the user that their keys are left on the hook when they open the door.
Brainstorming
I started by thinking about common friction points in everyday life. While nothing stood out to me about my routine, I noticed that my roommate would habitually forget her keys at home and text me to let her in the front door. So I thought, what could help my roommate remember her keys? Part of the problem was out of sight and out of mind. A key hook directly next to the front door? But what about something that was more reactive and interactive?
Identifying Input
Sensor for whether key is on hook or not (binary)
Sensor for if the door is open or not (binary)
Sensor for when the user is approaching the door/key hook
Formulating Output
Vision: Lights
Sound: buzzer
Circuit Version 1
The first circuit iteration was actually made up of many small versions built on top of each other to get the final and full result with the breadboard.
Working on light turning on/off with sensor input
Working on toggling the light on/off with a button
Combining light turning on/off with sensor and toggle
Duplicating effect with 2 leds
Using solid wire to custom cut and place on the breadboard so wires are not needlessly poking out, allows for flush placement in the enclosure.
Using the buzzer as audio output from sensor input
Enclosure Version 1
The first enclosure iteration was inspired by a retro US diner, with a smooth and rectangular shape, and colorful decals. This was made from cardboard, was not fully enclosed, and was painted.
As a version 1, this enclosure was simple to make and modify. There were no internal structures to support the temporary circuit and other input and output elements.
Circuit Version 2
The second version of the circuit uses a second set of lights, neopixels, which are used as brighter and more flashy versions of the small LEDs above the buttons. The final circuit is soldered for longevity, and split into 2 sections in order to fit all elements neatly.
Enclosure Version 2
Enclosure 2 is inspired by a cloud, and the enclosure is meant to be hung up next to the door. I measured and designed the enclosure in 2D, and laser cut the pieces out of acrylic.
The inside of the enclosure has spots to place and hold in place the speaker/buzzer, the 2 circuits, and has holes for the external elements to be wired out.
