Table of Contents

Introduction

This week marked a major transition in our project. While we had a second meeting scheduled with the Sapadores Firefighters, unforeseen circumstances — namely a powerful storm — forced us to postpone it. However, given the extensive insights we had already gathered from previous discussions, we felt confident enough to move forward into a more practical phase.

With our research foundation well established, it was time to shift gears and focus on implementation. Our main goal this week was to analyze the components needed for our prototype, ensuring that our technical choices align with the real-world needs we identified throughout our interviews.

Exploring Embedded Systems

Key Takeaways from the Seminar

One of the highlights of the week was a seminar led by Nuno Ferreira, where we delved into the world of embedded systems development. Using the ESP32 microcontroller as a reference, the session covered essential topics such as:

• Microcontroller architectures

• The role of processors in embedded systems

• The use of Arduino for prototyping

For us, this was an invaluable learning experience. Not only did it provide a hands-on introduction to programming with Arduino, but it also allowed us to explore potential microcontrollers — such as the ESP32 — that could later be incorporated into our project.

At the end of the seminar, we had the opportunity to engage in a direct Q&A session with the speaker, where we:

• Addressed specific technical doubts about implementation

• Discussed potential challenges and ways to overcome them

• Received valuable advice on how some of the electronics presented could be integrated into our solution

Additionally, Nuno Ferreira kindly offered to clarify any future questions via email, ensuring that we have ongoing support as we move forward with our development.

Beyond the speaker’s insights, we also had a conversation with other members of the presenting team, which turned out to be an equally enriching experience, allowing us to exchange ideas and explore alternative approaches.

(Vasco, Hugo & Gonçalo were present in this conversation)

Component Selection & Expert Consultation

Another key aspect of this week was our discussion with a university professor specializing in electronics and hardware development. This conversation was crucial in helping us:

• Identify the most suitable components for our solution

• Discuss the best way to approach the technical implementation

• Narrow down our list of potential equipment

Although we haven’t finalized every detail, we were able to select key elements that will form the foundation of our prototype. To ensure we’re making the best choices, we also started exploring similar projects to see how others have tackled similar challenges, allowing us to benchmark existing solutions and refine our approach.

Structuring Our Requirements

With a clearer idea of the components and technologies we’ll be using, we took an important step:

• Drafting our official Requirements List (Requirements List) .

A “Requirements List” is a comprehensive document that outlines the essential needs and expectations for our product. It serves as a roadmap, ensuring that our final solution meets both stakeholder expectations and market demands.

This structured approach will guide us throughout the development phase, helping us stay on track and maintain focus on the features that truly matter.

Week Recap

With our technical research advancing and our component selection process underway, we are now entering an exciting phase — one where we start translating our ideas into a working prototype.

Next week, our focus will be on:

• Finalizing our component selection

• Defining the first steps of our prototype development

• Continuing to refine our Requirements List

As we move forward, we remain committed to ensuring that our solution is not only technically sound but also aligned with the real needs of caregivers and elderly individuals alike.

Stay tuned for more updates as we bring our vision to life!