OUR STORY
Smart Entry Solutions started with inspiration to create a low-cost and effective solution to assist people with disabilities or physical impairments. This inspiration stemmed from team member's having family and friends affected by similar issues making the team more motivated to create something. Also, with the (at the time) recent aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, it created more reasoning to find a simple touch-free solution. This led the team to their first success on the project at HackOHI/O 2021.
HACKOHI/O 2021
(picture is of the first prototype of the Smart Door to see if it was feasible)
In the 24-hour time frame of HackOHI/O, the team finished a preliminary prototype of the Smart Door. This prototype focused mainly on the software development involving facial recognition, an automatic lock and unlock system with a servo motor, and status LEDs. A tiny version of the Smart Door was created to showcase all these functions in a fully operating prototype. After judging and voting, the team finished 3rd place in the Buckeye Choice Voting.
MAKEOHI/O 2022
(picture is of the first full size Smart Door prototype)
The team's success at HackOHI/O inspired them to continue working on the project at the next major event, MakeOHI/O. The team's goal at MakeOHI/O was to improve upon every aspect of the preliminary prototype. The improvements to the software included polishing the previous facial recognition code for readability and efficiency and implementing Bluetooth as another method of entry. The improvements to the hardware took the main focus with implementing a life-size door prototype with servos to lock and unlock the deadbolt and handle, a motor to automatically open and close the door, and a built-in webcam for the facial recognition activation of the door.
SHOWOHI/O 2022
(picture of the team at their booth after the conclusion of ShowOHI/O)
With the team's 3rd place finish in HackOHI/O, they were invited to present their project at ShowOHI/O with other winner's from HackOHI/O and MakeOHI/O. In preparation, a new prototype of the Smart Door was created featuring numerous improvements to the software and hardware. For the software, the performance was greatly improved, all programs featured a GUI for convenience, and Bluetooth allowed for multiple commands. For the hardware, a touchscreen was added for controls and display, most electronics were embedded inside the door, and a more consistent power delivery system was introduced. This finalized prototype of the Smart Door allowed the team to win runner up in the Buckeye Choice Voting at the event.
THE FUTURE
Between classes and other responsibilities, the team at Smart Entry Solutions continues to make progress on their Smart Door to get it to a finalized product in the near future (while also brainstorming new projects and learning how to do what they do best better).