Electronic projects

wobbles-grogan · 14-05-2009 10:58AM #1

Hi all,

Im heading into 4th year Electronic and Comp engineering in NUIG this september, just wondering has anyone got any good ideas for a project to do?

Initial toughts were to make a mouse based on movements of the hands (something like a wii remote....but better;)) , youd wear it like a glove!

Also let it be known that this is MY idea and noone shall make millions from it other than me

Any toughts? Any better ideas?

Thanks in advance!

toiletduck · 14-05-2009 01:50PM

Well I assume you're on placement now, so any chance of your current work forming the basis of a FYP or maybe your supervisor might have ideas?

Perhaps you could find an area in which research is already being done in the department and expand upon that. Any FYP worth its salt has a "future work" idea

Check out here for previous years projects.

Offy · 17-05-2009 12:07AM

The mouse thing has already been done, its simpler than a glove. Its a ring used in 3D cad applications. http://www.gizmag.com/go/7293/ Sorry if that bursts your bubble.
Any better ideas? Think about that request, if anyone had any great ideas why would they give them away? Best advice is to pick a company you want to work for and do a FYP thats in-line with what they do.

FoxT · 20-05-2009 12:55AM

..is it to develop a product you can commercialise?
or
develop your skills in a particular area?

do you prefer hardware or software design?

Where do your career interests lie?

Are you planning to do a M.Eng/PhD?

I'd suggest you try pick something in a field you are interested in, and that has a tie-in to your career/further education..also something with a focus on /DSP/Control systems/Communications/voice recognition/ etc.

But I got my degree in the 80s so maybe the best 1st step is chat with one of your lecturers...

Hope that helps...

spideog7 · 20-05-2009 12:58PM

wobbles-grogan wrote: »

Also let it be known that this is MY idea and noone shall make millions from it other than me

Don't know about NUIG but doesn't the University normally own the rights to anything creative that you come up with? It's usually one of the written stipulations, much like a company own's the rights to anything creative you come up with (during the course of your work) when you're working for them.

IDCI · 21-05-2009 08:20PM

wobbles-grogan wrote: »

Initial toughts were to make a mouse based on movements of the hands (something like a wii remote....but better;)) , youd wear it like a glove!

Used one before, even better it was for controlling a virtual reality room. Awesome stuff!

CathalMc · 21-05-2009 10:34PM

spideog7 wrote: »

Don't know about NUIG but doesn't the University normally own the rights to anything creative that you come up with? It's usually one of the written stipulations, much like a company own's the rights to anything creative you come up with (during the course of your work) when you're working for them.

This is correct. Universities have quite a progressive and sensible approach to patenting and then licensing the technology to the original inventor for commercialization.

PDelux · 27-05-2009 10:25PM

If you're going to do the glove idea, i'd suggest make it wireless to get a good bit of work out of it. Maybe use Zigbee or Miwi. Put one node in the glove and connect one node to the PC. First try the PC node connected to the COM port because that'll be quite easy to get working. Then once that's working try to get it working off the USB port instead, maybe using the CDC class cos that'll have the same USART type functions. All the firmware's free so you'd just need to get the hardware. Though i'm not sure how quick Zigbee/miwi is as regards reaction times.

Or do something in the 'green energy' line, maybe some type of meter application. That'd look good on your CV later when you looking for jobs. Many big electronics companies have sections just dedicated to metering cos there's so much money in it these days.

Spudmonkey · 29-05-2009 12:15AM

wobbles-grogan wrote: »

Initial toughts were to make a mouse based on movements of the hands (something like a wii remote....but better;)) , youd wear it like a glove!

Whatever you pick, pick something that will give you a good exposure to everything, both Software like C, Verilog and also some bit of system design.. I didn't do this for my FYP and regretted it afterwards.. It took me a while to get up to speed when I left and got a job

I suppose do pick something that would be fun too though!

wobbles-grogan · 21-07-2009 10:33AM

Thanks for all the replys everyone, think im going to go ahead with the glove idea, make it work via bluetooth and usb, plugging it in would charge it up, i realise that this alone would be tough enough do but its meant to be right?:)

The flick of your index finger would 'click' the lmb while the flick of your middle finger the rmb.

Theres going to be a good amount of hardware and software involved so it should be a fairly balanced one, lecturers like that methinks.

Not entirely sure on the microcontroller ill be using but first toughts are the toothPIC.

On the whole patenting front, i know now that its been already done so i dont mind not being able to become the next bill gates from it, bit of a thunder stealer but such is life

Thanks for all the replies!

Sea Sharp · 24-07-2009 06:16PM

Yea you could make a USB HID device.

Although USB programming == banging head off wall in frustration for at least two months.

Get your head down early in the project.

Doctor_Socks · 26-07-2009 03:57AM

If you're suggestin your own project I would try to get something in as soon as possible, I graduated from that course last year and I submitted my own project. If you submit the project idea early the lecturer will work with you in putting in milestones that are realistic, and they'll also be able to add in areas that they specialize in so that they can help if you get stuck.

Also take time to look through the lecturers past areas that they have worked in so you get the best supervisor, it sounds like you want to take a large microcontroller/(dare I say)FPGA:eek: route so Martin or Fearghal would probably be your best bet for a supervisor. From my experience with Martin last year he was a very good supervisor.

Any project work that you do with the college also remains the intellectual property of the college so don't get your hopes up about any patents, I know it sucks but theres no way around it. Sorry for the long post but I hope all of this helps

Dardania · 28-07-2009 05:35AM

I'd suggest checking out can you do your final year project on erasmus...not for everybody but can be excellent for the right people...
Also, hackaday.com is a good site to get inspiration from...

I'd I were doing final year project again I'd do something in hmi / user interfaces...

the-island-man · 05-08-2009 02:29PM

This might be pointing out the obvious colin but you might want to check this design hasn't been patented although seen as its probably not going to be commercialised i doubt you'd get in to trouble!
Can't believe you want to work with the toothpic again! Feckin hate that piece of sh** although i suppose you have little choice if you want to use bluetooth!

folan · 05-08-2009 02:38PM

ive done somthing similar, but with a webcam. its a tough project, so good luck.

there are alot of products like this already on the market, so there are patents and, more importantly, implementations.

do you have an idea of something to make your project a bit different? that usually gets a lecturer a bit more interested and could make it easier to get some additional help, like if you design it for disabilities etc you might get help from a biomed engineering facility member or something?

Electronic projects

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