At the beginning of the week, we submitted the first version of the intermediate presentation. Our supervisor provided clear feedback on what needed to be changed, and we immediately began revising the presentation. As of the date of this post, the presentation has already been successfully submitted.
This marked the final week of project development during this period (P3). Throughout the past few weeks, our team faced various challenges — from formulating a practical idea to address the proposed problem, to its technical implementation. This process required constant adaptation, close collaboration among team members, and efficient time management, especially considering other academic responsibilities. During this period, the team conducted interviews with professionals from several fields, including an Occupational Noise Measurement Specialist, a Quality, Safety, and Environment (QSE) Manager, a QSE Director in Construction, an Integrated Management Systems Director, and a Quality, Environment, Safety, and Health (QESH) Director in Industrial Environments. The information gathered throughout this process led us to move forward with a portable alert device for workers, rather than a static device alerting individuals within a defined area — as mobility and proximity of the alert to the user were identified as key factors for system effectiveness in noisy and dynamic work environments.
At this stage, the team has a fully functional website, which includes this blog containing weekly updates on project progress. A noise detection algorithm is also operational, capable of identifying elevated noise levels in real time, and ready to be integrated with the LED alert system — green, yellow, and red — that informs the user of different levels of sound intensity. This system will later be incorporated into a wearable device to be mounted on the worker’s chest, ensuring immediate visual feedback in potentially hazardous environments. The development of this prototype was guided by the interviews previously conducted, ensuring that the proposed solution addresses real-world needs.
The tasks to be carried out during the next period, P4, were distributed among the team members during the meeting held on 30 March. 3D modelling will be handled by Tiago and David. The noise detection algorithm will continue to be developed by David. The alert system, including the integration of LEDs or another type of notification, will be the responsibility of João S. and Tomás.
Data analysis, covering both data management and processing, will be conducted by Tiago and David. The verification of PPE usage, using a capacitive sensor, will be carried out by João C. and Miguel, who will also be responsible for the Bluetooth connection between the PPE and the alert device, including the exploration of the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3 microcontroller.
The connection between the alert device and the computer, involving data transmission and website integration, will be developed by João S. and Tomás. The final system assembly, which will integrate both noise detection and PPE usage verification, will also be conducted by João C. and Miguel.
The project presentation video will be created by Miguel, João S., and David. Finally, the poster for EletroCap EletroDay will be developed by Tiago and David, while the EletroCap pitch deck will be prepared by Tomás, João C., and João S.
With this phase of the project completed, the team will now focus on preparing for exams in other curricular units. Project work will resume in the coming weeks, with the aim of finalising the prototype, carrying out testing, and preparing for its presentation.
