This week marked a strong step forward in both our hardware development and wireless communication integration. The project remains on schedule as we transition from early prototyping into testing and validation phases.

On the electrical side, we finalized Version 1 of our PCB. The board has officially been designed and ordered, representing a major milestone as we move beyond breadboarding toward a more integrated and reliable system. We also successfully established a working connection between the Arduino and the LoRa module, laying the groundwork for long-range wireless communication capabilities.

From a mechanical standpoint, multiple enclosure concepts and snap-attachment mechanisms were 3D modeled and sent to print. These iterations will allow us to evaluate fit, durability, and ease of use while gathering feedback from stakeholders.

In the coming week, our focus will shift toward performance testing and coordination. We will begin evaluating actuator effectiveness to determine whether upgrades are necessary to meet project requirements. Mechanical prototyping will continue as we print multiple enclosure variations for shipment to FDOT.

On the communications side, we plan to establish a verified connection between two LoRa modules to ensure reliable device-to-device transmission. We will also coordinate with Road Response to confirm successful communication integration with their system.

Additionally, we will work closely with Road Response and our liaisons to schedule and confirm joint testing sessions.

Over the past week, our team made solid progress across electrical, mechanical, and planning aspects of the project, keeping us firmly on schedule.

On the electrical side, we successfully completed breadboard circuit testing for both the light and sound actuators. This milestone gave us confidence in the core functionality of our system and informed our next design steps. To support continued prototyping, we also ordered additional components, ensuring we’ll have what we need as we transition toward PCB development.

From a mechanical perspective, multiple enclosure prototypes were modeled, giving us a strong starting point for physical iteration. These designs will soon move from the screen to the printer, allowing us to gather feedback.

We also took time to step back and plan ahead. Clear objectives have been established for our in-class project workday next week. We also began preliminary work on the Final Design Review (FDR) outline, setting the stage for a final presentation.

In the coming week, we’ll continue testing and validating electrical components, with a strong emphasis on refining the breadboard designs and finalizing PCB layouts for ordering early next week. Results from our initial tests will be reviewed carefully to guide final circuit decisions. On the mechanical side, we plan to 3D print multiple enclosure variants and collect feedback from our liaisons to guide design improvements.

This week marked an important checkpoint in the project with the successful completion of Qualification Review Board 1 (QRB1). The team presented the QRB1 material the overall presentation went very well. Following the review, evaluated the feedback and completed a QRB1 feedback response memo to document our planned actions and adjustments moving forward.

On the technical front, most of the ordered electrical components arrived, allowing us to shift from planning into hands-on work. With components now in lab, the team began preliminary electrical testing. We are focusing on verifying basic functionality and familiarizing ourselves with components.

Next week, efforts will intensify around electrical testing and validation. The team will continue testing individual components while also breadboarding individual subsystems. This will be followed by full system breadboarding. Results from this testing phase will guide final circuit decisions, enabling us to finalize the circuit design with confidence.

By the end of next week, the goal is to order the PCB, marking a major transition from prototyping to a more integrated hardware solution. Once the PCB is ordered, planning efforts will begin shifting toward mechanical housing design.

The Awearables at QRB 1.

The Awearables preparing for QRB 1.

This week marked a major milestone in our project timeline as we officially began preparations for Qualification Review Board 1 (QRB1), scheduled for January 27. With QRB1 approaching, the team focused on aligning our technical progress, documentation, and presentation materials to clearly communicate the state of the project.

A significant portion of the week was spent drafting the QRB1 project summary document and carefully reviewing the QRB1 rubric to ensure our deliverables meet expectations. We also began outlining and developing the QRB1 presentation. On the hardware side, we placed orders for key electrical components needed for early prototyping and validation, setting the stage for hands-on testing in the coming weeks.

Next week will be an important transition from planning to execution. The team will complete and present QRB1, incorporating any final refinements before the review. Once the ordered components arrive, we will begin assembling initial circuits on breadboards and conducting electrical validation testing to confirm basic functionality. These results will help determine our readiness to move forward with PCB design and assess whether PCB ordering is feasible the following week.

The student rubric for QRB 1.

The FDOT Awearables team is back together! Getting right back into it, we switched roles, attended a guest lecture on the engineering standard of care, and created a critical path for the semester. The main focus of the week was preparing a plan for the semester so that we can ensure that we finish our deliverable on time. The first item on our radar moving into next week is the qualification review board (QRB) happening at the end of January. We look forward to a great semester!

The first team meeting of the semester with all members (Gehres Sakadales, Emilio Avendano, Jackson Abrams, Matthew Brown, Matthew Gutierrez, Stephanie Baldwin, and Tyler Senkowicz).