Gesture-controlled kitchen utensil carosel

Overview
Hardware
Code
Weekly Progress
Performance
Appendix
Final Project Overview
Gesture-Controlled Automated Kitchen Utensil Carousel
Project Introduction
Contactless automated kitchen utensil carousel to reduce food
cross-contamenation while cooking.
Project Summary
The motorized kitchen utensil carousel is a convenient countertop kitchen appliance designed to store and make utensils more accessible to the user.
Its primary structure is reminiscent of a lazy susan, but with motorization for controlled rotation.
It features two ways for users to control the rotation of the carousel.
One way is through the use of hand gestures that indicate to the controller whether to rotate left or right.
The second way is through a wireless controller that has buttons that indicate whether to rotate left or right.
Frequently, while cooking, individuals find themselves in the situation of having to retrieve a particular kitchen tool from a drawer or holder.
However, they prefer not to sort through kitchen tools while they are attending to food on the stove and their hands are dirty.
This is especially an issue with food safety while handling meat as a lot of cross contamination can occur.
Those who have motor disabilities, have even more difficulty with this aspect of cooking.
Our project creates a hassle free cooking experience, by making kitchen tools more accessible on the go through its rotation feature controlled by a simple wireless controller.
The LED also indicates to the user when it is safe to grab their tool.
Students
Steven Lambert (SAL267)
Shota Yamamoto (SMY48)
Course Site
ECE 4760
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Detailed Project Description

Gesture-controlled kitchen utensil carosel is an embedded-systems build that integrates sensors, actuators, a microcontroller and firmware into one working device, with the design decisions and test results documented so it can be reproduced.

How It Works
1. Input devices (sensors, buttons, encoders, wireless links) are connected to the microcontroller.
2. Firmware samples the inputs at a fixed rate and runs the control/processing logic (often with interrupts, timers or PIO for precise timing).
3. Outputs (motors, LEDs, displays, audio, radio) are driven according to the result.
4. The system is tested against its specification and tuned for reliability and responsiveness.

Key Components and Their Role
- RP2040: dual-core Cortex-M0+ microcontroller with programmable I/O used for precise, low-level timing.
- Bluetooth Low Energy: short-range low-power wireless link to a phone or browser.

Implementation Steps
1. Collect the components and study each module's datasheet (pin-out, voltage, interface).
2. Wire the circuit on a breadboard following the pin mapping; power sensors from the correct rail (3.3 V / 5 V).
3. Install C, Arduino IDE and the required libraries; flash a minimal test sketch for each module separately.
4. Write the main firmware: read sensors → process → drive outputs / send data.
5. Configure network or cloud credentials and test communication end-to-end.
6. Calibrate thresholds, add error handling (reconnect, sensor time-out) and run a long-duration test.
7. Finalise on a PCB / enclosure and document wiring, code and results.

Key Features
- Real-time firmware
- Custom hardware integration
- Measured performance
- Documented design and trade-offs

Expected Output
On completion the student will have a demonstrable device that meets its functional specification, with wiring diagram, code and results.

Deliverables
- Complete source code with comments
- Circuit diagram and pin mapping
- Project report with screenshots and results
- Demonstration-ready build