Week 9_Creative Switch – Jihad Jammal

Concept:

The requirement was clear: devise an alternative that bypasses the conventional hand-operated mechanism. Recognizing that our feet are just as capable when it comes to applying force in a precise manner—much like how we use them to operate pedals in a car—I decided to explore this avenue. I constructed a prototype using cardboard for the pedal, taking advantage of its availability and ease of manipulation, and copper for its conductive properties, essential for transferring the switch’s command.

A highlight of some code that you’re particularly proud of:

const int ledPin = 13; // LED connected to digital pin 13
const int touchSensorPin = 2; // Touch sensor (white wires) connected to digital pin 2

void setup() {
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT); // Set the LED pin as output
  pinMode(touchSensorPin, INPUT_PULLUP); // Set the touch sensor pin as input with internal pull-up resistor
}

void loop() {
  // Check if touch sensor is touched (wires are connected)
  if (digitalRead(touchSensorPin) == LOW) {
    digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH); // Turn on the LED
  } else {
    digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW); // Turn off the LED
  }
}

Reflection and ideas for future work or improvements:

Reflecting on the process of creating my foot-operated light switch, I initially envisioned using aluminum for its excellent conductivity and lightweight properties. However, practical limitations often steer the course of innovation, and this project was no exception. With aluminum out of reach, I adapted to the materials available to me, selecting copper tape as a suitable alternative. This choice was not without its merits; copper’s conductivity is remarkable, and its flexibility proved invaluable during the assembly process.

The simplicity of the code was my saving grace, making the integration of electrical components less daunting than anticipated. Yet, every project presents its challenges. One such challenge was securing the wires in such a manner that they consistently made contact with the copper tape. Due to their placement, there were occasions when the connection was missed, disrupting the switch’s functionality. I recognized that increasing the copper tape’s surface area could potentially mitigate this issue, providing a more forgiving target for the wires to connect with.