Automating Blinds with Arduino: A Beginner's Light and Motion Project

This week in ETEC-568 Makerspace class, the professor challenged us to make a light sensor and servo motor circuit with Arduino. For the project we were also asked to work with Generative AI Chat Bot and have it create a code, maybe step by step guide on how to wire my circuit. It helped me design, build, and code the circuit. For someone like me who’s still learning coding and circuits, this was a perfect opportunity to explore the basics while creating something practical and fun.

The task was to design a circuit that simulates the functionality of automated blinds:

• If it’s bright outside, the blinds should close to keep the room cool.

• If it’s dark, the blinds should open, letting us enjoy the night view.

This was a circuit with a light sensor that reads brightness and a servo motor to act as blinds.

This was a hands-on, challenging project. I managed to wire up the parts with the help of ChatGPT. I had to verify that each connection was double-checked several times to ensure it was accurate. I used visual diagrams from my starter kit booklet and one created with ChatGPT’s guidance, to match the layout step by step.Taking the process slowly and doing my research on each step, it helped me avoid as many errors as possible.

 

My circuit is set up a little bit differently from the diagrams shown, however these are the diagrams that I followed to build my circuit.

Now it was time for me to create the code. I had to write the code for the circuit with the help of ChatGPT. ChatGPT played a huge role here, explaining each part of the code in simple terms. The coding part was tricky because I’m still learning how to use functions and how to properly control a servo motor. I requested ChatGPT write me a beginner-friendly code that is also simple to read and understand. Testing the code incrementally (e.g., first checking light sensor readings, then integrating servo movements) helped me isolate problems.

In order for the circuit to portray blinds, the program needed to:

• Read light levels from the sensor.

• Map the sensor values to a range of 0 to 180 degrees, which the servo motor understands.

• Move the servo based on the brightness detected by the sensor.

  

Reflection

It was a really fun project this week.The challenge wasn’t a simple task to finish, it was an opportunity to see how you can integrate hardware and software to address real-world challenges. Blinds could be automated — but this project gave me ideas for many more things from light-controlled to temperature-controlled.

With the guidance of my professor and the support of ChatGPT, I gained hands-on experience with Arduino and saw firsthand how sensors and motors work together. Next, I’d like to add complexity to the circuit, maybe by introducing more sensors or incorporating a timer function. Each project builds my skills and inspires me to think bigger.

Prompt I used to get to the code and instructions I used for my project:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KpIiEuimQ8Q-ifYq2SH8soltQv9w75k04NN-8e9RB0g/edit?usp=sharing