- Zhiyu Cao - Hardware Design
- Muchen Han - Software Design
- Zinan Ye - Creative and Media Marketing
- Emmanuel Gyamfi - Overall Design
For any questions regarding Guiding Glow, feel free to contact the team at the email addresses below: ucfneeg@ucl.ac.uk zinan.ye.24@ucl.ac.uk
"Lighthouses guide ships while ours guides peace of mind. When your child gets home, the lighthouse lights up on your end—no texts needed. A reassuring ambient glow that says, ‘I’m home and safe,’ no matter the distance."
🌟 Lighthouses have long symbolised guidance, safety, and reassurance. Drawing inspiration from this symbolism, we've designed Guiding Glow to nurture the connection between parents and their children studying abroad. Just as a lighthouse guides ships safely home, our device offers parents the subtle reassurance that their children are safe and sound.
With the rise of globalisation, more young individuals pursue education abroad. This enriching experience can, however, lead to increased anxiety for parents due to infrequent communication.
✨ Guiding Glow provides:
- Ambient updates: Non-intrusive status indicators
- Emotional reassurance: A constant yet gentle reminder of familial bonds
- Respect for independence: Reduces anxiety without compromising privacy
🌍 International Students
- Independently living abroad for the first time
- Seeking connection without constant digital interactions
👨👩👧 Parents of International Students
- Wanting non-intrusive reassurance of their child's safety
- Dealing with empty nest syndrome
- Valuing continuous family connection, especially across cultures
🔑 Primary Users: Parents, particularly those from family-oriented cultures, who appreciate discreet yet meaningful updates about their children's well-being.
🚀 Early Prototype
Our initial rapid prototype explored various shapes before settling on the lighthouse concept.
🏠 Wooden Base Experiment
To evoke warmth and familiarity, we experimented with a wooden base.
⛵ Refining the Lighthouse
Initial designs included a small boat but lacked vibrancy:
🎯 Minimalistic Lighthouse
We finalised a sleek, minimalistic look to fit modern aesthetics:
The circuit behind Guiding Glow is simple, efficient, and elegant:
- 🔹 ESP32: Wireless communication via MQTT
- 🟢 Pressure Sensor (RP-S40-ST): Detects key placement signaling "I'm home"
- 💡 LED Strip: Provides visual feedback, lighting up the parent's lighthouse
📸 Inside Look:
📝 Circuit Diagram:
