We identified a few components in our project that were difficult to justify and found better alternatives. One of these was the navigation method for Sudoku board selection. Instead of using four directional buttons (up, down, left, right), I explored different ways to implement a touch-based selection system.
The most promising approach is capacitive touch sensing. This would involve creating a 9×9 grid using a conductive material, such as copper foil tape, with rows and columns separated by a dielectric material. This setup effectively forms 81 capacitors. Each row and column would be connected to an MPR121, an IC capable of detecting changes in capacitance. When a user touches the overlapping region of a row and column (a makeshift capacitor), the capacitance increases, which the MPR121 can detect and process.
This solution is cost-effective, requiring two MPR121 ICs ($8 each) and copper foil tape which is approximately ($8).
Overall, I believe this approach will improve the project by making user interaction more intuitive. However, it also introduces new challenges in setup and integration. My next steps include gaining a deeper understanding of the implementation process and beginning assembly once the necessary components arrive.
Our interactive Sudoku system is designed with economic efficiency in mind, utilizing low-cost materials like MPR121 ICs and copper foil tape to reduce production costs compared to expensive touchscreen alternatives. By leveraging Raspberry Pi and open-source software like Pygame, the system remains affordable, scalable, and easy to distribute, enabling cost-effective replication for educators, developers, and hobbyists. Its modular design allows for widespread adoption in schools and learning centers, while its open-source framework supports a DIY market, fostering innovation without high development costs. Additionally, the system holds commercial potential in the sector of education technology, where it could be produced and sold as an interactive learning tool that will make cognitive training more accessible while aligning with sustainable production and distribution models.