In the depths of the COVID-19 lockdown, when boredom gnawed at the edges of our sanity, Harrison McIntyre, a software engineer with a knack for invention, embarked on a quirky project that would forever change the snacking landscape: the face-tracking candy launcher.
The Birth of the Candy Catapult
Fueled by a desire to combat the monotony of isolation, McIntyre set out to create a device that would dispense M&M’s with flair and precision. Inspired by the rapid-fire candy launchers of his childhood, he envisioned a machine that could track his face and launch a barrage of sugary treats at his eager mouth.
The Mechanics of Candy Propulsion
At the heart of the candy catapult lies a flywheel, a spinning disk that hurls M&M’s towards their target. The speed of the flywheel is meticulously controlled by magnets and a Hall effect sensor, ensuring a consistent and rapid launch. Servos, those unsung heroes of robotics, manipulate the pitch and yaw of the launcher, allowing McIntyre to unleash a torrent of candy in any direction.
The Brains Behind the Candy Barrage
The candy catapult is powered by a trifecta of electronic marvels: iRobota Nano boards, a Raspberry Pi, and a USB camera. The iRobota boards, tiny but mighty microcontrollers, orchestrate the movement of the servos and flywheel. The Raspberry Pi, a compact computer, serves as the brains of the operation, processing images and calculating the perfect parabolic trajectory for each candy launch. The USB camera, the device’s watchful eye, relentlessly tracks McIntyre’s face, ensuring that the candy always finds its mark.
Alexa, Launch the Candy!
To elevate the candy catapult to the realm of true convenience, McIntyre integrated it with an Amazon Echo Dot. With a simple voice command, he can now request a candy bombardment without lifting a finger. “Alexa, launch the candy!” he proclaims, and the machine dutifully complies, sending a cascade of M&M’s soaring through the air.
Bonus: The Sweet Symphony of Candy Innovation
McIntyre’s candy catapult is a testament to the boundless creativity that can emerge from boredom. It’s a whimsical invention that brings joy and laughter to those who witness its sugary spectacle. The project serves as a reminder that even in the most challenging of times, we can find solace and inspiration in the pursuit of the absurd.
As McIntyre aptly puts it, “The candy catapult is the perfect antidote to boredom. It’s a machine that brings people together, one M&M at a time.”
So, the next time you find yourself craving a sweet treat, consider embracing the unconventional and launching it towards your mouth with the precision of a candy catapult. After all, life’s too short to eat candy the boring way.
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