Process
To get started, I first researched the existing IoT projects online. I learned that ultrasonic sensor can detect the object's distance. Thinking that the distance could effectively reflect people's position and activities, I decided to use the ultrasonic sensor to detect if people have been sitting for too long.
Next, I followed the tutorials provided by the Sparkfun website (http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-Arduino-and-HC-SR04-Example/) and started building a basic circuit using the ultrasonic sensors and two LEDs which are used to indicate the status. To ensure that the device sends a break reminder email to the person if he/she sits still for 15 minutes, I added a Timer object in my code, which tracks how long the system has been in one state. I then connected the particle photon to the online Particle Console and used the IFTTT to send reminder emails when the break time event is triggered.
For the second part of this project, I added a tactile switch to the circuit so that when people click on the switch, a slack message will be automatically sent to the selected channel asking others if they want to take a break together. I again used the IFTTT to achieve this goal.
Lastly, the look of ultrasonic sensor always reminds me of a robot. Thus, I 3D-printed a case and made it a bit more adorable so that it may give people a sense of companionship when they are at work.
