Arduino Uno
Creating a fruit detection quality system using Arduino Uno and MQ2 gas sensors.
Building, testing and prototyping a quality fruit detector.
The project brief was to help store owners and customers alike identify the different stages of expiry grocery products were in. I interviewed and collected data from Royal mart to better understand storage and sales periods.
Role
Creative and applied computation
Client
Royal Mart
Tools and software
Arduino Uno
Mq2 gas sensor
Breadboard
Led lights
Tinkercad
Arduino IDE
Problem statement
Grocery store owners face significant challenges in maintaining the freshness of their produce. Despite their best efforts, many struggle with inadequate storage facilities, fluctuating temperatures, and inconsistent supply chains. These issues lead to increased spoilage, financial losses, and customer dissatisfaction. The inability to keep produce fresh not only impacts the store's profitability but also affects its reputation and customer loyalty. Addressing these challenges is crucial for ensuring the quality and longevity of fresh produce, ultimately enhancing the overall shopping experience for customers.
Project
overview
Quality Detection System Using Arduino Uno
Looking at the needs of customers when grocery shopping at a supermarket, buying fruits and vegetables without being able to check their condition. Introducing a device with a built-in gas sensor to detect the increase in the levels of carbon dioxide to tell when an item is rotting.
This product could be used in supermarkets or with fruit sellers to test if a product were safe for consumption. I set up the Arduino Uno as a gas sensor to detect threshold of fruits and vegetables. The system provided accurate and reliable results, helping to automate the quality detection process.
Calibrations and testing
I started with rough sketches and iterations, including ultrasonic sensors to detect when a desired object was in range so as to calibrate the quality detection process.
Gas Sensor: I chose the MQ-2 sensor for detecting gas emissions
Breadboard and Jumper Wires: For prototyping and making connections. Power Supply: USB cable to power the Arduino.
I analyzed the logged data to determine threshold values for gas concentrations that indicated spoilage. This involved statistical analysis and pattern recognition.
Using IDE I was able to get readings of the carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide levels in the air and after increase beyond the thresh hold buzzer would go off and led lights would turn red.
Component Selection
I gathered all the necessary components for the project to build a quality detection system.
The microcontroller board that will serve as the brain of the system. A gas sensor, breadboard and buzzer.
Connecting Segments
I then calibrated the sensors and tested the setup:
Calibration: I calibrated the gas sensors by exposing them to known concentrations of gases and adjusting the sensitivity settings.
Data Logging and Analysis
I implemented data logging and analysed the results:
Data Logging: I used Arduino IDE to log the sensor data over time. This allowed me to track changes in gas concentrations and environmental conditions.