What are the most significant risks that could jeopardize the success of the project? How are these risks being managed? What contingency plans are ready?
The most significant risks as of now are probably related to timing again, in terms of getting our components on time. We’ve generated a bill of materials earlier on to help us keep track of shipping costs/times/suppliers in an effort to mitigate this risk.
Were any changes made to the existing design of the system (requirements, block diagram, system spec, etc)? Why was this change necessary, what costs does the change incur, and how will these costs be mitigated going forward?
We made several design adjustments to optimize cost and functionality. Additional components, such as voltage converters, were added to ensure stable power distribution across the system. Additionally, we reassessed the enclosure material, switching from acrylic to wood due to higher-than-expected costs for acrylic sheets. This change helps reduce expenses while maintaining durability. The cost impact of these modifications will be mitigated by optimizing our bill of materials, finding budget-friendly suppliers, and ensuring design efficiency to minimize excess material usage.
Provide an updated schedule if changes have occurred. This is also the place to put some photos of your progress or to brag about a component you got working.
A was written by Ashira, B was written by Anna and C was written by David.
Part A: … with respect to considerations of public health, safety or welfare. Note: The term ‘health’ refers to a state of well-being of people in both a physiological and psychological sense. ‘Safety’ is the absence of hazards and/or physical harm to persons. The term ‘welfare’ relates to the provision of the basic needs of people.
We’re hoping that our solution will contribute to improving the health and welfare of other people. Our vending machine was intended to function as a personal reward system that makes it easier for people to have structured and focused study sessions. In the current tech climate, mobile phones and social media fuel procrastination and reduce focus, often making it difficult to be productive, which can lead to distress. We’re hoping to contribute to a solution that accounts for this by incentivizing focus + providing more structure to dedicated work sessions, without any reliance on distracting external devices. While our device won’t completely monitor the user’s actions or strictly enforce productivity, we’re hoping that our device can help users reinforce study habits using a reward system that replaces the use of mobile devices & social media with a delayed form of gratification.
Part B: … with consideration of social factors. Social factors relate to extended social groups having distinctive cultural, social, political, and/or economic organizations. They have importance to how people relate to each other and organize around social interests.
Our design aims to be accessible to accommodate diverse user needs. The touchscreen interface will feature intuitive navigation, large buttons, and both visual and audio feedback for a seamless user experience. By optimizing material costs while maintaining usability, we ensure affordability without compromising functionality. Additionally, offering customizable product selections, such as gluten-free or dietary-specific options based on user’s preferences, allows the machine to cater to a broader audience, from university students to workplace environments. On that note, it would be helpful to promote choices on the healthier side in order to prevent overconsumption of unhealthy snacks long term.
Part C: … with consideration of economic factors. Economic factors are those relating to the system of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
Our vending machine, based on the Pomodoro method, is unique economically by making studying a form of currency. Instead of requiring direct payment through credit card or cash, students earn snacks by focusing on their studies for a selected period of time. This system lowers barriers related to cost, allowing students (including those with limited budgets) to access food without spending money.
Additionally, the vending machine encourages efficient use of time, which can improve academic performance. By reducing the financial barriers of snack purchases and promoting productive habits, our project benefits students and contributes to a better environment within educational spaces.
