"Pseudonymous maker 'Orlie'" has developed an innovative coffee machine upgrade that seeks to tackle accessibility barriers. The machine seems the factory touchscreen being replaced with oversized physical buttons. This is intended to make operation easier for users with touch interaction difficulties.
Orlie's upgrade utilizes an Arduino GIGA R1 WiFi development board to control an extension to the coffee machine, employing motors and rails from a decommissioned 3D printer to manipulate a 'finger' that interacts with the touchscreen. Central to the setup is a MATLAB application, facilitating communication between the wireless buttons and the coffee machine. The wireless buttons, housed in 3D-printed enclosures, feature Espressif ESP8266-based microcontrollers and battery power, ensuring seamless wireless functionality.
Orlie sought to make the innovative coffee machine intuitive for use—navigating coffee options is achieved by scrolling with the first button, selecting an option with the second button, and resetting the menu with the third button.
Accessibility-Focused Coffee Machines
Orlie's Innovative Coffee Machine Upgrade Tackles Barriers
Trend Themes
1. Accessibility-focused Coffee Machines - Innovative upgrades enhancing user experience for individuals with touch interaction difficulties through oversized physical buttons.
2. DIY Coffee Machine Modifications - Utilizing Arduino development boards and decommissioned 3D printing components to customize coffee machines for specific user needs.
3. Wireless Button Integration in Appliances - Seamless wireless functionality in devices using microcontrollers and battery power to control user interfaces remotely.
Industry Implications
1. Home Appliance Manufacturing - Opportunities for integrating innovative user-friendly features to enhance accessibility in household devices.
2. DIY Electronics - Applying creative modifications using open-source hardware to improve functionality and usability of existing devices.
3. Smart Kitchen Technology - Exploring advancements in wireless control systems for kitchen appliances to streamline user interaction and customization.