Chill Box
The Chill Box is an interactive ambient device designed to provide calming nature-inspired soundscapes using Arduino technology and the DFPlayer Mini MP3 module. Developed through the lens of Calm Technology, this project creates a sensory experience that aims to soothe users and reduce stress through non-intrusive, gentle audio cues. Inspired by Weiser and Brown’s principles of peripheral engagement and minimal cognitive load, the Chill Box is an ambient technology that blends into the background of daily life while promoting emotional well-being.
Overview
Responsibilities: Design and fabricate the finished product.
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Date completed: May 2025
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Resources: ThinkerCAD, Adobe Illustrator, UltiMaker Cura, 3D Printing, Laser Cutting
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Details: The chill box was a collaborative project to create a product that allows users to take a brief break and relax while working at their desks or in the office.
Design - Box
The concept behind the box was to create a compact, desk-friendly device that users could always keep within reach. During moments of stress, users can interact with the device and engage in guided breathing exercises designed to promote relaxation.
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Given this concept, the design needed to be as compact as possible to comfortably fit on a desk or nightstand, while still housing essential components such as a battery pack, speakers, and internal wiring. Material selection was also a critical consideration. The enclosure needed to be durable enough to support and protect all internal elements while keeping the box as light as possible.
Design - Top
To elevate the tactile experience and give the product a more premium aesthetic, the top panel of the box was constructed from wood. This surface incorporated essential user interface elements, including two buttons, a small LED indicator, and a potentiometer to control volume. I carefully designed and fabricated precise cutouts to ensure each component was seamlessly integrated into the panel.
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During early prototyping, I created custom icons to label each control. However, feedback from team members highlighted some confusion around the symbols' meanings. In response, I refined the design by replacing the original icons with more universally recognized ones, such as traditional play/pause and skip symbols, to enhance usability and make the interface more intuitive.
Fabrication
Once the design is finalized, the project is split into two key components. The first component, the main body of the box, was exported as an STL file and sliced using UltiMaker Cura software. For the 3D printing process, I utilized an Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro printer with black PLA filament. The print took approximately 13 hours to complete.
The second component was the top lid of the box, which I exported as an SVG file, as the laser cutter software operates most efficiently with vector files. A thin piece of wood was used for the lid, and the laser cutter efficiently created the cutouts and engraving in just seven minutes.
When selecting materials for each component, I had a few specific requirements for the prototype. For the box, I opted for 3D printing with PLA filament as it strikes a balance between structural strength and design flexibility. The top lid, on the other hand, was laser cut from a thin wood sheet, which allowed for a faster production time compared to 3D printing. Additionally, the ability to engrave symbols directly onto the wood made the laser cutting ideal for enhancing the symbol markings, making them more prominent and easier to read.
Wiring
The wiring process for the unit was straightforward on my end. I was provided with a schematic by one of the team members that outlined all the necessary connections. My main tasks involved soldering the components together and integrating them into the enclosure. The device included several key components: two buttons (one for powering the unit on/off, and another for changing the music), a rotary potentiometer to serve as a volume control, a DFPlayer module to handle MP3 playback, a set of speakers for audio output, and an LED indicator to show the power status. All components were powered by an Arduino Uno, connected to an external battery pack. Once the soldering was completed, I assembled the enclosure, placing each component in its designated position.
Final Thoughts
Overall, developing the physical housing for the product was a valuable and rewarding experience. Creating the prototype, I gained significant hands-on experience using the TinkerCAD software. It not only introduced me to the design process but also helped me understand the fundamentals of CAD software. Moving forward, I’m interested in exploring other CAD programs, such as FreeCAD or Plasticity, to further refine my skills in designing physical prototypes.
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If I had the opportunity to build a second version of the project, I would revisit and adjust some of the measurements for the enclosure. One issue I encountered during assembly was printing the wrong-sized brackets for securing the lid to the box. I hadn’t allowed enough clearance for the speaker wires, which caused complications during the installation of the brackets. This was an important learning moment in understanding the importance of precise measurements and spatial planning in physical design.