Speed Date Machine
Do you have a busy schedule and find it difficult to meet new people outside of your usual social circle? We have an innovative solution for you - why not try the Speed Date Machine? Simply take this machine with you to your next speed dating event and engage in a unique activity with your date: you will have just five minutes to pop a balloon.
So how does it work? Once you switch on the machine, a sound sensor will measure the level of conversation between you and your date. As long as you keep talking, a red heart-shaped balloon will start to inflate. However, if there is an awkward silence, the balloon will slowly deflate. If the five minutes are up and the balloon hasn't been popped, it's a clear sign that you might need to schedule another date.
Don't let your busy schedule get in the way of your dating life - try the Speed Date Machine and make the most out of your time with a potential partner.
Try the Speed Date Machine to make your speed dating experience more fun and efficient!
Supplies
Instruction Circuit
Attach the components to the Arduino Board according the 'Chartflow' image.
1.6 Digital Sound Sensor
To assemble the Speed Date Machine, follow the 'Chartflow' image and begin with the digital sound sensor. This is the most challenging part and it's important for further conditional statements.
To adjust the sensitivity, we provide a sampling code that produces a graphical output instead of blank 0s and 1s.
1.7 RGB LED
Next, focus on the LED. Conditional statements play an important role in the code to ensure that the machine runs smoothly in different situations. To test these statements, we suggest using LEDs.
Comment out everything in the 'Speed-Date-Machine' code - except for the sound sensor and RGB LED.
1.8 Air Pump and Air Valve
The Air Pump and Air Valve require 12V, while the Arduino Board only takes 5V. Therefore, you'll need to separate the circuit into two by using a motor driver IC 'L293D'.
If you do not have access to the L293D motor driver IC, you can choose to use a MOSFET transistor as a substitute. However, it's important to take necessary precautions and include a 'flyback' diode when controlling a motor using the transistor.
1.9 LCD Display
Finally, the 16x2 LCD Display is a fun feature that lets you customize texts and create a timer for your speed date. You can also design items for each cell on the display, enhancing the overall user experience.
Although, it's important to note that you will need multiple jumper wires to connect the components, along with a potentiometer to modify the background brightness.
Sound Insulation
2.1 Materials
Empty Jar of Cucumbers
Hand Towel
Elastic Band
2.2 Equipment
Hot Glue Gun
Cutter
2.3 Instruction
This step explains how to isolate the air pumps, so their noise doesn’t interfere with the sound sensor.
You’ll need the two fully connected air pumps with wires for electricity and tubes for air, isolation material such as fabric-scraps or a sponge, an old towel in which to wrap the jar, some rubber bands and an empty jar with a screwed-on plastic or metal lid that is large enough to accommodate all these things.
Connect the tubing and the wiring to the air pumps. Fit the two pumps between a couple of pieces of sponge or fabric. Make sure the tubes are not overly bended, so the air can flow easily. Fixate the isolation to the pumps using the rubber bands and make sure that the pumps cannot touch the jar directly. Poke five holes into the lid, two for each pump and one for the wires. Fit the four tubes and the wires through the holes and use glue to fill any gaps. Finally wrap the jar in a thick towel, so it cannot touch the box directly.
Balloon Attachment
3.1 Materials
Tube with Connection - (Amazon)
Empty Plastic Bottle
Red Heart-Shaped Balloon
3.2 Equipment
Hot Glue Gun
Scissor / Cutter
3.3 Instruction
For attaching the balloon to the whole system you’ll need a small plastic bottle that can be cut with a scissor or a cutter and some hot-glue.
The balloon will be attached to the mouthpiece of the bottle. Cut off the mouthpiece while keeping around five centimeters of the bottleneck. The bottleneck is where the tubes will be glued on. Make a straight cut and cut another piece plastic from the bottle that is larger than the underside of the mouthpiece. Place the bottleneck-end of the mouthpiece on the plastic sheet you’ve cut from the bottle and glue around the edges using hot-glue to make it airtight. Poke a hole into the side of the bottleneck and fit a silicone-tube-connector trough it. Glue around the seams and edges to make it airtight. The pumps connect to the balloon via this bottleneck piece. Check if everything is airtight by pressing on one and blowing into the other opening. Connect all the air-related components together by using the two- or three-way plastic tube connectors.
Build the Box
4.1 Materials
Wooden Plate
Cardboard
4.2 Equipment
Wood Saw
Wood Glue
Cutter
4.3 Instruction
This step explains what to consider, when building the box for the speed-date-machine. You’ll need material for the box such as cardboard or wood, glue and a cutter or respectively a wood-saw.
The box can be build to any desired size, shape or material, but make sure the whole bunch of components fits inside it. Rather make it too large than too small and consider an easily cuttable material such as cardboard for the lid. The largest component that goes inside the box will be the sound-isolated air pumps. Be extra careful about the tubes that are connected to the pumps, the valve and the balloon. When fitted inside the box, they cannot be bended over a certain degree. Otherwise the air won’t be able to flow through. The lid of the box will need holes for the mouthpiece (to which the balloon will be attached), the LCD-Display, the sound-sensor and the RGB-LED.
Remember to use an easily cuttable material for the lid. Cutout holes for each of the components and use hot-glue or tape to hold them in place.
Connect all tubes where they belong and put all the components, tubes, breadboards and wires into the box. Finally put on the lid to close the box, attach a balloon to the mouthpiece and find somebody to go on a date with you to try if everything is working.