Inspiration
We wanted a project that would be relevant on a day-to-day basis, and that could be used beyond the weekend of the hackathon. We also wanted to have a physical component to the hack as it is always awesome to see technology being implemented into physical applications.
What it does
The Smart Mirror functions as a normal mirror when the backing monitor is black. It then uses a white text to display information such as the time, weather, upcoming calendar events, and a greeting message These functions show through the one-way film and can be seen alongside the reflection.
How we built it
We built a basic frame to go around the monitor using 2x4's. We then put 1x4's on the front sides to keep the monitor from falling out the front of the frame. The mirror is a one-way film with an adhesive backing that we put directly onto the monitor screen to act as the mirror. Next, we set up a raspberry pi to serve files on a local server. Then we wrote an html page and css file with javascript to display data on the mirror using chromium in kiosk mode.
Challenges we ran into
After constructing the frame, it was slightly too small and the monitor would not fit. The fit was close enough, however, that we were able to use a sander to widen the frame just enough for the monitor to fit securely. On the software side, the biggest challenge was learning how different APIs handle data requests. Another major issue that we ran into was that we planned to use nodejs packages to make some parts of the process easier, but we later found that there were compatibility issues between NodeJS and the version of RaspberryPi we picked. This meant we had to manually write a lot of code that would normally be handled for us.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
A major concern of ours for the build was getting the reflective film to lay flat on the monitor, so that the reflection would be as clear as possible. It definitely took some teamwork and coordination but we were able to successfully adhere the film without major bubbles, creases, or distortions.
What we learned
We learned the basics of working with a raspberry pi and setting up an Apache server to serve files locally. We also gained experience in using API data in real world applications. We learned how to integrate software applications with their hardware counterparts.
What's next for Smart Mirror
- Replacing the decorative film with one-way mirror glass would give Smart Mirror a higher quality feel and a more polished reflection.
- We also had ideas of adding a webcam and facial recognition so that the display shown on Smart Mirror can be personalized to show a unique profile for each user. ### Finish the Frame
- Our current frame does not have a back or a means of being mounted. Adding a brace and a wall mount across the back of the frame would allow the Smart Mirror to be installed into a home.
- For a finished product we plan on staining the wood of the frame.
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