Build Inside the Box 500!

Really a spectacular box.

I would use an ultrasonic sensor (https://it.farnell.com/kemet/83-17989/hc-sr04-ultrasonic-sensor-for/dp/2801408?st=ultrasonic) as input and as a power supply, I would use rechargeable batteries + solar cell + charging card.

Also, it would be very interesting to use piezo sensors: there are a lot of interesting applications!

Hi Sergey

Very nice explanation of the components inside the box and the representational diagram is awesome.

In addition to the usual electronic components, how about including a friendly Lego project helper-colleague in the BOX ?

ooooooooo- surface mount components loose into a box. That is truely devious  :-)

Oh that would be a cruel trick - add a single tiny tiny tiny smd transistor or LED to the box

I was just thinking about 0805s, which are approximately 0.08" by 0.05" in size. (hence the name.)

One thousand 0805 0ohm resistors side-by-side would be over 6 x 4 feet! And that does not take into account spacing between them.

0201 would be slightly reasonable.

just for that I will build the first 1000 0k resitor pi hat lmao

As long as we connect them to an Arduino and not a Pi, I'm game.

I would say 1000  0k resistors must be incorperated.

Here is a version of THE BOX from the newbie in electronics.

I see it as an educational platform where you can introduce various electronics projects and a user can repeat or modify them later. The projects can vary from automation (i.e. controlling various motors with buttons and an inbuilt display) and local weather station to IoT devices with a help of AI algorithms. THE BOX should work autonomically and combine several devices in one box: one project - one device. It would be nice to have at least three fundamentally different projects/devices.

Please, look at the sketch of the box and the list of key components needed to assemble it is below (based on your instructions).

1. Arduino Nano BLE Sense: https://www.newark.com/arduino/abx00031/nano-33ble-sense-dev-brd-cortex/dp/67AH8872?st=arduino%20nano%20sense
   Why:
   - a bunch of different sensors and a mic on board ---> no need to think which sensor should be included in the box.
   - bluetooth and BLE communications allow interacting with the board using a phone, a tablet or PC remotely ---> no need for a large TFT or LED display.
   - a modern powerful ARM Cortex M4 coupled with embedded artificial intelligence features ---> a lot of potential for non-trivial projects.
   Price: 37$
   
   
2. Battery holder AA x 4: https://www.newark.com/keystone/2478/battery-holder-4aa-wire-leads/dp/31C0582?st=aa
   Four rechargeable batteries (2.3 Ah, 4.8 V in total): https://www.newark.com/energizer/nh15bp-4/nickel-metal-hydride-nimh-battery/dp/03C7535?st=aa
   Why:
   - as it is a box, it should be able to work independently as a standalone device (but of course it can be powered via USB by both PC or 5V phone power supply).
   - 4.8 V and restricted current are safe and suitable for working with various small DC motors and other outputs, while 2.3 Ah is enough for continuous autonomic work.
   - AA is easy to recharge or find its charger in a local shop.
   Price: 2$ (holder) + 20$ (four AA batteries) = 22$
   
   
3. Keypad module for Arduino (could not find in Farnell): https://www.mondaykids.com/monday-kids-3-bit-3-color-high-keypad-button-module-for-arduino-electronic-blocks.html
   Why:
   - ideal for operating with motors or a display, turning the device or display on and off manually.
   - supercheap and add interactiveness to the box
   Price: 3$
   
   
4. Alphanumeric OLED display 16x2: https://www.newark.com/vishay/o016o002glpp5n0000/display-oled-16x2-yellow-on-black/dp/24AC5159
   Why:
   - for displaying the most important information from the sensors embedded into Arduino
   - power-efficient and minimalistic (but looks not like from 90's compared to the classic LED 16x2)
   Price: 10$
   
   
5. Motor/Stepper/Servo shield: https://www.newark.com/adafruit/1438/silicon-manufacturer-toshiba/dp/31Y5778
   Motor: https://www.newark.com/multicomp/mm28/dc-motor-type-brushed/dp/07WX1231?st=motor
   Stepper: https://www.newark.com/adafruit/858/stepper-motor-type-single-shaft/dp/85W1989?st=motor
   Servo:https://www.newark.com/multicomp-pro/mp-708-0001/servo-motor-180deg-rohs-compliant/dp/53AH7142
   Why:
   - controlling motors will bring way more interactiveness to the box
   - educational purpose for demonstrating different types of motors and how they work
   - ideal for mini-automation projects using the box itself.

       Price 20$ + 3$ + 5$ + 7$ = 35$

Total budget: 107$