Self powered pinball machine

Embedded Systems and Sustainable Design, Fall 2023, team of five. My first project at CU.

No batteries, no outlet. The player spins a flywheel that drives a generator, which powers the Arduino, IR scoring sensors, LEDs, and score display. Stop spinning and the lights go out.

Why it matters

My first time balancing mechanical design, electronics, embedded code, and a hard constraint on one budget and deadline.

Batteries: 0
Budget: <$75/person
Timeline: 10 weeks
Power: Flywheel
Controller: Arduino
Scoring: IR beams

Key takeaways

Built to address battery waste: only 4% of alkaline batteries are ever recycled.
Flywheel to generator to every system on the board, with the energy harvesting design built to transfer to other tabletop games.
IR emitter and receiver pairs register hits; the Arduino counts score and drives the lights.

Engineering deep dive

Build notes

Requirements

Functional, light up on score, keep an accurate count, sturdy paddles, and generate its own energy from play. Qualitative, appealing across ages, durable for transport, and fun.

Materials

Recycled hardwood frame with PLA printed flywheel mount and paddles. The small footprint cut material use and made it portable.