Introduction: Connected Handwashing Device

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About: Ngo active in the field of digital mediation, based in Toulouse, France

During the coronavirus crisis, a handwashing device prototype was developed with the purpose of helping both children and adults keep track of the recommended 20 seconds of handwashing as advised by doctors. The device sends the recorded results to a server, allowing users to conveniently review their handwashing habits online.

Creating a functional prototype of this device requires minimal materials, and if you intend to assemble the box, some soldering may be necessary.

This is a remake from this tutorial : https://www.instructables.com/Smartphone-Controlled-RGB-Lamp-phablabs/


Supplies

Prototype:

Box:

  • laser cutter
  • plywood
  • elastics
  • glue gun
  • soldering iron
  • wires

Box tutorial: https://www.instructables.com/Smartphone-Controlled-RGB-Lamp-phablabs/

Download the .ino file for Arduino here :

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y1ST7QRQR6IRSMa1wW8xH9JcmJOim8BP/view?usp=sharing

Step 1: Schematics

Follow this scheme to make a first prototype on a breadboard and check if it works.

See the picture in next chapter to see an example.

About ESP32 and ESP8266:

https://electronicshacks.com/esp32-vs-esp8266/

Step 2: Code

Once your prototype is prepared, you can open the previously downloaded file in the Arduino IDE. Ensure that you have selected the appropriate ESP board and proceed to upload the code. (Follow this tutorial if you never upload to an ESP card).

You are required to modify the variables 'ssid' and 'password' to match your own Wi-Fi credentials.

On line 15, we specify the URL where our data will be sent. You need to visit requestcatcher.com, create a subdomain, and replace 'example.requestcatcher.com' with your specific subdomain.

Requestcatcher is an app that will catch our request and save it temporarily on their servers. It allow us to see our results online.

During device testing, the data should be successfully sent to Requestcatcher, and you can view it by accessing your subdomain. (eg: mydomain.requestcatcher.com)