W.A.S.T.E.

Hardware/Board Improvements

In the future, we could alter the setup function to allow the user to define the Wi-Fi network and password without individually programming each sensor. We could also use Bluetooth to connect the sensors to the base station, providing a more secure connection between the base station and the sensors. The sensor boards could be updated and remanufactured to have no external wires. In addition, the battery performance could be analyzed to determine the average lifetime of the product in the field. More possibilities include a way the sensors can communicate that they have a low battery, and a way to contact law enforcement directly with a time, location, and method of entry. In addition, we could include a sensor to detect if the window was broken. We could add temperature and lighting control via the application, while also making it iPad compatible. Finally, we could create an aesthetically-pleasing and functional casing and packaging for the base system and sensors.

Over the air updates would have to be separate from the app but could be executed via a user’s computer. Over the air updates would allow the user to reset Wi-Fi network configuration without resetting each individual chip. If a user wanted to rename a sensor in the app, an over the air update could be done on the computer to update the sensor information. Ideally, the product would allow USB updates or OTA updates. By providing USB update capability, there would be less limitations on update size and wouldn’t have to rely on availability or strength of WiFi. In addition, many more upgrades could be made in the security of the transmission.

Most importantly, the security of our actual security system would need to be improved before going to market. A third-party would only need to know the MQTT server address and the sensor topics. MQTT has many security features built in, and there could be username or IP address verification to ensure that it is the sensor sending the message, and not an external threat. update capability, there would be less limitations on update size and wouldn’t have to rely on availability or strength of Wi-Fi.

Mobile App Improvements

Apple requires a developer membership at the cost of $99/year to use their Push Notification Service. Due to the timeline of this project, the membership was not purchased. Therefore, push notifications could not be utilized. In the future, the app would make use of push notifications to alert the user when the status of a sensor changed. For a more robust user-interface, the sensor could publish an MQTT message when the battery was low to warn the user. A future app would also display the status of the connection to the MQTT server. In the event that the connection was lost, the user would be notified.

The ideal To-Market Product would allow the user to create a username and password instead of only having the option of fingerprint login. Additionally, the app would have the ability to request information from the sensor for troubleshooting and robustness purposes.