Wearable Allergy Analyzer

Project Overview

Wearable Allergy Alarm is a health-focused wearable device designed to monitor environmental and physiological indicators of allergic reactions in real time. Developed as part of a senior capstone project, this device provides users with early alerts about potential allergic conditions and logs data through a connected mobile app. The project blends hardware engineering, software development, and user-centered design to address a growing gap in allergy technology.

As a core contributor to the hardware side of the project, I implemented the environmental and health sensors, established Bluetooth communication, and designed the custom PCB and electrical schematics for the system. The goal was to create a compact, reliable, and low-power wearable capable of tracking environmental and health data, transmitting it to a mobile app, and alerting users to potential allergens based on configurable thresholds.

Key Features:

• Environmental Monitoring: Implemented a BME180 sensor to track temperature and atmospheric pressure—both important factors in predicting allergy flare-ups.
• Health Tracking: Integrated the MAX30102 sensor for pulse oximetry and heart rate monitoring, helping detect physiological responses to allergens.
• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE): Configured the Adafruit Feather nRF52832 to transmit sensor data using BLE, allowing seamless sync with the companion mobile app.
• OLED Display Interface: Used a 0.96" SSD1306 OLED to display real-time sensor data and trigger alerts when critical thresholds are crossed.
• Custom PCB Design: Designed and wired a custom PCB to house all components, ensure compact integration, and support safe power delivery from a 3.7V LiPo battery.
• Companion App Integration: Hardware communicates with a React Native app via BLE, with backend services powered by Node.js and Firebase for data storage and analytics.

Technologies & Tools Used:

• nRF52832 (Adafruit Feather): Bluetooth-enabled microcontroller used as the core hardware platform.
• BME180: Environmental sensor used for detecting temperature and pressure fluctuations associated with allergen triggers.
• MAX30102: Health sensor used for pulse and SpO2 measurement during suspected allergic reactions.
• BLE Protocol: Implemented Bluetooth Low Energy for real-time data transfer and power efficiency.
• KiCad: Used to design and route the custom PCB layout with proper power regulation and component placement.
• I2C Bus Protocol: Used for communication between the microcontroller and sensors to reduce pin usage and improve modularity.

Design Highlights:

• Power Optimization: Designed with low current draw in mind (~37 mA total) and utilized BLE to minimize battery consumption.
• Alert System: The wearable triggers visual alerts when either environmental or physiological conditions cross set danger thresholds (e.g., heart rate > 120 bpm and SpO2 < 90%).
• Schematics and Layout: Created detailed schematics and wiring diagrams to support accurate prototyping and manufacturing of the wearable device.

Conclusion:

The Wearable Allergy Alarm is a multidisciplinary health tech device focused on empowering individuals with allergy conditions to take control of their environment and health. My contributions focused on the hardware development lifecycle—sensor integration, BLE communication, schematic design, and PCB layout. Together with a companion app and backend infrastructure, this project demonstrates how accessible, real-time health data can improve preventative care and quality of life for users with allergies.