System Integration

Starting with the end, showcasing the project working.
Here is a video of the motion sensor as I tested it in the architecture shop in the darkness, showing the sunrise effect:

Fusion & Schematics

Motion Sensor:

LED Circuit and Design:

Final Project Goals

The installation reinterprets Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey through a fabricated 2-foot black monolith that silently senses human presence.

When someone approaches, a hidden radar sensor triggers a separate glowing light: a self-contained, rechargeable sunrise lamp. Together, they form a minimal spatial dialogue between object and observer: darkness observing light, and light awakening in response to movement.

The monolith is built from black-coated wood panels mixed with graphite and latex for a matte-metallic surface, evoking mystery and mass. Embedded inside is a motion-sensing sensor node, fully enclosed.

The light source is its luminous counterpart: an acrylic panel resting inside a metalic 'rock' landscape, either set on the ground in nature, or hung on the wall. Inside, a rechargeable Li-ion (?) power system, Xiao Seeed ESP32 C3 microcontroller, and warm LED strip which mimicks the sunrise. This would fade gradually in intensity as motion occurs, creating a perceptible breathing of light.

Images of the Process:

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Hardware Parts

Subsystem	Component (Technical Name)	Specs	Function / Notes
Sensor Node (inside monolith)	RCWL-0516 Microwave Radar Sensor	5 V input, 3.3 V logic output, range 5–7 m	Detects motion through ½″ wood; outputs digital HIGH (3.3 V) when motion detected
	Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C3	3.3 V logic, USB-C, Wi-Fi/ESP-NOW	Microcontroller that interprets motion signal and transmits wirelessly to light node
	Resistors / Capacitor (Noise Filter)	10 kΩ, 100 kΩ, 0.1 µF ceramic	100 kΩ pulls radar OUT low; 10 kΩ + 0.1 µF smooth noise
	5 V USB input or 12→5 V buck	5 V 2 A	Powers sensor and MCU
Lighting Node (the orb)	Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C3	Same as sensor board	Receives wireless signal and drives LED
	WS2812 / NeoPixel RGB LED Ring	5 V, individually addressable, 12 LEDs	Produces smooth sunrise gradient and dimming
	12 V→5 V Buck Converter	2 A output	Steps battery voltage down to 5 V for MCU and radar
	3S Li-ion Pack	11.1 V 2200 mAh, with balance protection	Rechargeable power source
	6"x4" Frosted Acrylic Pane	Sealed with silicone	Diffuses light evenly; housing for LED

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Renders

Initial Board Sketch

This was the initial board sketches as to the two communicating boards.

The logic:
Have two PCB boards, each with a Xiao Seeed ESP32-C3 that have an in-built radio communciations protocol. This way, one board would live inside the monolith and detect motion (up to 7m, realistically 5m with other disturbancevs and within a 1/2" plywood box). The second board would live inside the light orb 'box' and control the LEDs.

This would make two very simple circuits:

The new option for a light design, emerging from the landscape:

I really enjoyed the metal casting from week 10 and would like to utilize the technique from the landscape-material cast into the orb. This way the orb landscape can lie on the ground and also be hung on the wall in a future assembly. It would look something like this:

In this new iteration, there is an acrylic panel at the top which diffuses the 4 orange LEDs. The cast metal sits around it, and at the center is a 3D printed box that holds the remaining hardware parts: the PCB and a battery pack. It should also have an access point. The box will be based on this Thingiverse file.

Products Purchased

I sleuthed the internet for a metallic-like polish and ended up in cosplay forums (thank you Harrison for sending me this video):
Mandalorian Mask

Products purchased:
1. Krylon® COLORmaxx™ Brush-On, Gloss, Black, 1 Quart
2. 1 Quart Ultra-Fine Pure Graphite Powder