Study Buddy
The Study Buddy is a device that locks the user's phone away on a 'Pomodoro' based timer. Research indicated that phone usage was a prevalent issue with procrastination among youth, resulting in detriments on their mental well being. The Study Buddy was designed to address this problem by removing the distraction of their phone and help develop healthy study habits.
Ideation Phase
The Study Buddy was designed for usage by students aged 13-18 years old for a table-top setting. The device runs on a Pomodoro based timer, where the user is instructed to place their phone in the box and study for 15 minutes. The student is then rewarded with a 5 minute break for which the lid is opened, giving access to their phone once again. A longer break of 10 to 30 minutes is then given every forth break. This acts as a reward system to incentivise greater productivity during study sessions.
After establishing the function of the device, the form was achieved through fast sketching and cardboard prototyping. After developing an aesthetically pleasing and appropriate design, it was recreated in Solidworks. Renders from different angles and an exploded view are showcased in the slideshow.
Woodworking
The exterior shell of the Study Buddy was designed through woodworking. The slideshow depicts the process:
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Walls were cut to desired length with finger joins
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Walls were assembled using a combination of finger joins and screws
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The lid was cut and attached to main body. A hinge system was used for the phone lid.
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Electronic components were measured and cutouts were made
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After a test assembly of the box, the components were disassembled and varnished
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The electronics were then placed inside and the box reassembled.
Electronics and Coding
The electronics was prototyped with a RedBoard and coded in C++. The key components used are:
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LCD Screen - Displays instructions and timer
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Start Button - Primary button to pass through loop
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Reset button - Used to reset to beginning
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9V Battery
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Switch - To toggle on and off the power
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Servo and arm mount - Attached to lid to open and close it
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Alarm - Signals end of study or break session
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LED's - indicates study vs break periods
The components were then fitted into the wooden box. Methods such as heat shrink was used to tidy up wiring.
Final Product
The final product can be seen in the gallery and video below. The design works as intended and can be considered a success. The only component that did not work was the alarm. It is believed that the wiring was damaged and could be fixed by rewiring the component. The function of the product can be described by the following steps:
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The device is turned on, signalling the lid to be opened
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The device is placed in the box with the option of threading a charging cable through for the phone
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The start button is pressed to begin the study session, closing the lid and locking the phone away.
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The LCD screen then displays a 15 minute timer and the session number. Once the timer hits 0, the alarm rings and the LCD screen instructs the user to start the break session.
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After clicking start, a break of 5 minutes is commenced and the lid is opened. The user can then access their phone for the period, until the alarm rings, instructing the user to place their phone back in the box.
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The device runs on this cycle, where every fourth break, a longer time of 10 to 30 minutes is given.
