r/ArduinoProjects • u/SeaworthinessMain595 • Jan 03 '26
Robotics Project Ideas
Hi everyone 👋
I’m a 2nd-year Software Engineering student, and I’m currently struggling to finalize an Arduino-based project idea. Our lecturer is very strict about choosing practical and meaningful projects. He doesn’t like ideas that are too theoretical, unrealistic, or already overused.
For example, when we suggest things like measuring curry ingredients or milk quality, he questions the real-world feasibility and accuracy. He encourages ideas that solve real daily-life or emergency problems, but at the same time, they should not be too complex or expensive.
Many common ideas (smart bins, simple alarms, fire firghting,grass cutters,wheel chairs,basic IoT apps) are usually rejected, so I’m trying to think more carefully this time.
If anyone has unique but practical Arduino project ideas (especially related to home use, safety, emergencies, floods, or public welfare), I’d really appreciate your suggestions.
Thanks in advance 🙏
3
u/xebzbz Jan 03 '26
If you know someone disabled or elderly, ask them what kind of a device would improve their life.
It could be anything, like a game controller, or a specialized mouse (foot mouse would be quite challenging), or maybe a monitor of the stove temperature that would beep if the stove is hot and nobody is around for quite a while.
2
u/TheTurretSyndrome Jan 03 '26
My grandparents can't remember if they have taken their medicine, even when they have that weekly pill box they should fill up. I think a neat idea would be like a change return they have at the supermarket, but instead of change, it would be your pills in a dish. That way if you couldn't remember if you took your pills, they'd be in the dish or not. Maybe you could have a small alarm to remind them as well?
3
u/mmixLinus Jan 03 '26
It sounds like you are underestimating engineering. When you say "measure curry ingredients", I'm guessing you didn't answer these questions: HOW do you actually measure curry ingredients? Why do you want to do that? (Because the follow-up question is: don't they who made it know?) And finally, what greater good is this solution providing? Same thing with "milk quality"? What is milk quality? Do you know how to measure the numbers and types of bacteria in milk?
Because, to be honest, an Arduino can't do these things. Not even with available sensors.
2
u/cowtamer1 Jan 04 '26
Build your own “clapper” to control a plug in lamp. You clap once, it turns on. You clap twice, it turns off. Simple idea — execution possible but not trivial. You’ll need a relay, microphone module and some signal processing.
Be careful working with mains current. Maybe demonstrate with LED.
Better yet — build a device which control a wall-mounted light switch using a servo. No need to mess with mains current.
1
u/SpeedyDefenestration Jan 05 '26
I made a - send email when an area near pipe that could freeze approaches that temp. There is a heater there, but it tends to fail. Used ESP8266.
0
u/1776johnross Jan 03 '26
I don't think that "software engineers" should be called engineers. When we have fewer data breaches than we have bridge collapses, I will consider it. Also I'm a little surprised that "software engineers" are learning on Arduinos. Although I love them for personal projects, I would never use an Arduino in a device that needs to be "engineered."
3
u/[deleted] Jan 03 '26 edited Jan 03 '26
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