AUTOMATED RESTROOM LIGHT USING ULTRASONIC SENSOR

A Research Project
Presented to the Faculty of
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Negros Oriental State University
Campus 1, Bais City, Philippines

In Partial Fulfillment of the Final Requirements in

Software Engineering of
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Submitted by:

Daryn Amon
Eman Baldado
Ridensly Baldomar
Leo Johnmel Calidguid
Cristela Durias
Erica Yuson

June 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT ……………………………………………………………….. 3

I. INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………………4

II. METHODOLOGY ………………………………………………………5-6

III. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM ……………………………………7

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION …………………………………………8

V. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ………………………….9-10

DEDICATION …………………………………………………………………11

ABSTRACT
 In the NORSU Bais Restroom, an automated toilet light system is put in place
with an ultrasonic sensor to help the lights work independently based on occupancy.
This approach employs ultrasonic sensor that detects people within the restroom area
and allows automatic switching of lights as per their needs. The LED lights are
prompted in sequence by the circuit which has been meticulously designed from
movement detected by an ultrasound scanner from individuals walking about in the
bathroom. It reduces need for manual control of lighting leading to improved
convenience and energy efficiency. This technology can have large benefits in public
buildings like schools, retail complexes or any other places where efficient
management of lighting is needed especially restrooms. Integrating this automated
system will improve user experience at NORSU Bais, optimize power usage and
foster overall seamless restroom functionality.
I. INTRODUCTION

The use of automation technology has become increasingly prevalent in our

daily lives, aiming to enhance convenience and efficiency. In this research, we focus
on implementing an automated restroom light system using an ultrasonic sensor. The
objective is to create a seamless and hands-free experience for restroom users,
eliminating the need for manual light switches.

By utilizing an ultrasonic sensor, the system can detect the presence or absence of
individuals in the restroom. When someone enters the restroom, the sensor detects
their presence and triggers the lighting system to turn on automatically. Similarly,
when the restroom becomes unoccupied, the sensor detects the absence of individuals
and turns off the lights accordingly. This automated restroom light system offers
several benefits. First, it promotes energy conservation by ensuring that lights are
only active when needed, reducing unnecessary electricity consumption. Second, it
enhances user convenience by eliminating the need to search for light switches in
dimly lit restrooms. Lastly, it contributes to improved hygiene by minimizing
physical contact with switches, especially in public restroom settings. Throughout this
research, we will explore the design, implementation, and evaluation of the automated
restroom light system using the ultrasonic sensor. By examining its effectiveness,
energy efficiency, and user satisfaction, we aim to provide valuable insights into the
practicality and potential benefits of such a system.

II. METHODOLOGY
Data
Convenience sampling was used for data collection. An online google form was
distributed to all students and collect the responses from 500 male and female
university students which asked some basic questions about their experiences by
using The Automated Light Using Ultrasonic Sensor. Certain interviews were also
conducted to know how students share their insights about the Automated Light and
whether they make comparisons to other restrooms that don't have it or not.

Measure
A structured questionnaire was employed to collect the responses from 500 students
of Negros Oriental State University. The questionnaire was only one section. In the
section one, demographic details such as gender, age and education stream were
defined related to the Automated Light Using Ultrasonic Sensor .

Demographics
There were 500 respondents CAS Department (students) of different education levels
consisting of 243 males (48.6%) and 257 females (51.4%). Most of the respondents
(87%) were from the age group of 25–30 years. 258 respondents (51.6) were enrolled
on postgraduation courses, whereas 242 respondents (48.4) were registered in the
undergraduate programme. The result further elaborates that the automated restroom
ligth using ultrasonic sensor is very useful than undegraduate stream, but the males in
the Negros Oriental State University are often used the restrooms than the females.

Heres the questions below with the online responses from the 500 students in Cas
Department.
 Questions Disagree Agree Strongly Strongly Total
Disagree Agree
1. Would you
prefer automated 450 90%
lights over manual
switches in
restrooms?
2. Do you like the
idea of lights 350 70%
turning on and off
automatically in
the restroom?
3. Do you think
automated 250 80%
restroom lights can
help save energy?
4. How likely are 230
you to trust an 46%
automated system
to detect your
presence in the
restroom?
5.Do you think
automated 320 64%
restroom lights can
improve
convenience for
users?

The percents from each questions shows how respondents share their thoughts about
having this type of system which is The Automated Restroom Light Using Ultrasonic
Sensor. The first question gets the 90%, second gets 70%, third gets 80% from the
two choices, fourth gets 46% and the last gets 64%. It shows that the Automated
Restroom Light using Ultrasonic Sensor is useful, effective and efficient to all
students according to the respondents from the Cas Department.
III. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study was conducted to resolve the problem of using too much electricity and
manually controlling lights in campus toilets. The main problem is that people often
forget to switch off lights after leaving a toilet, which causes wasteful power use and
increased electricity bills at university. Installing such an ultrasonic sensor in the
toilets could help minimize energy usage, cut down on power wastage, and improve
convenience for those who use them at NORSU Bais campus. With this technology
integrated into restrooms at NORSU Bais, this initiative seeks to preserve energy
resources through cutback on electricity waste and provide convenient lighting
systems in lavatories serving students within the facility.

The present study aims to answer two questions:

1. What is the benefit of using ultrasonic sensors in automatic restroom lighting

system with respect to energy savings and cost effectiveness at NORSU Bais?

Through the utilization of ultrasonic sensors that detect occupancy, the automatic
control of restroom lights will eliminate human involvement which will minimize
cases where light is left on unnecessarily. The automated operation ensures light is
only turned on when it is required hence leading to substantial electricity saving and
reduced power expenses for NORSU Bais. Before this approach can be adopted by
the university, it is important to establish its impact on energy consumption and cost
efficiency.

2. What are the user experience benefits and potential challenges associated with
integrating ultrasonic sensors for automated restroom lighting in a university
setting like NORSU Bais?

Assessing whether this would work at NORSU Bais requires exploring various user
experience aspects about such a system as an automated toilet light integrated with
ultrasonic sensor technology. Knowing how students and faculty interact with these
lights along with factors such as their response time, dependability, ease of use.
IV. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

With the help of this project we can promote the minimum of electricity that we use,
formerly this idea comes up with me and my team evaluate and presented to
comprehend the material in a useful way. This project detects the distance of the
closest object in front of the sensor (from 3 cm up to 400 cm). It works by sending out
a burst of ultrasound and listening for the echo when it bounces off of an object. It
pings the obstacles with ultrasound. Hence In 2005, building upon the work of
Hernando Barragán (creator of Wiring), Massimo Banzi and David Cuartielles
created Arduino, an easy-to-use programmable device for interactive art design
projects, at the Interaction Design Institute Ivrea in Ivrea, Italy.

Arduino has found tremendous success as an educational tool, as many universities

worldwide have adopted it as a way to introduce students to control automation.
Furthermore, thanks to low costs, Arduino is also very popular among individuals
who build projects for personal use or as a hobby. In the next article, we will look at
some applications of Arduino and evaluate whether it has potential in industrial
settings. So that's why we created our project to really support the technical industry
and comfort the new fashion of education. The Arduino is a spectacular
microcontroller. It differs from a single-board computer in that the Arduino runs code
and executes various processes as a programmable microcontroller. Compare that to
the Raspberry Pi, ASUS Tinker Board, or Odroid XU4, single-board computers that
run fullfledged operating systems (OSes) such as Linux, Android, or Chrome OS.
Whether you're just starting out with Arduino, have been hands-on with the ultra-
popular microcontroller, or are an expert already, Arduino reading material can truly
elevate your maker projects. These are the "Arduino for Beginners: Step-by-Step
Guide to Arduino (Arduino Hardware & Software), Books.

Exploring the world of Arduino can spark a passion for STEM subjects, providing a
hands-on learning experience that fosters creativity, problemsolving skills, and
innovation. By showcasing the versatility of Arduino in creating cost-effective
solutions for projects, highlighting the collaborative community that offers support
and resources, and demonstrating its practical applications in cutting-edge fields like
IoT and robotics, individuals can see how Arduino skills not only open doors for
career advancement but also empower them to bring their ideas to life in a dynamic
and engaging way.

V. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Conclusion
The implementation of an automated restroom light system using an ultrasonic sensor
at NORSU Bais demonstrates a significant step forward in improving restroom
functionality, user convenience, and energy efficiency. The system effectively detects
occupancy and controls the lighting, eliminating the need for manual operation. This
reduces electricity wastage and enhances user experience by providing a hands-free
and hygienic solution.

The study highlights the positive impact of integrating such technology, including
substantial energy savings and reduced power expenses for the university.
Additionally, user feedback indicates a high level of satisfaction with the automated
system, particularly noting its efficiency and convenience compared to traditional
restrooms. The system's ability to detect occupancy accurately and respond promptly
ensures reliability and ease of use, further validating its practicality in a university
setting.

Recommendations

Wider Implementation Across Campus: Given the success at NORSU Bais, it is

recommended that the automated restroom light system be implemented in all
restrooms across the campus. This will maximize energy savings and improve
convenience for all users.

Regular Maintenance and Updates: To ensure the system continues to operate

efficiently, regular maintenance checks should be conducted. Additionally, updates to
the system should be implemented as technology advances to maintain optimal
performance.

User Education and Awareness: Educating students and staff about the benefits and
proper use of the automated system can enhance user experience and acceptance.
Information campaigns can be conducted to highlight the energy-saving benefits and
the hygienic advantages of the hands-free system.

Expansion to Other Facilities: The technology can be expanded beyond restrooms to

other facilities within the university, such as classrooms, libraries, and common areas,
where efficient lighting control can further contribute to energy conservation and user
convenience.

Data Monitoring and Analysis: Continuous monitoring and analysis of the system's
performance and energy savings should be conducted. This data can provide valuable
insights for further improvements and can be used to justify the expansion of the
technology to other public buildings and institutions.

By adopting these recommendations, NORSU Bais can lead the way in utilizing smart
technology to create a more sustainable and user-friendly campus environment. The
automated restroom light system not only enhances the user experience but also aligns
with broader goals of energy efficiency and sustainability, making it a valuable
addition to the university’s infrastructure.
DEDICATION

To our families, whose unwavering support and understanding have been the
foundation upon which this research was built. Your love and encouragement have
sustained us through the long hours and challenging moments. To our colleagues and
mentors, whose guidance and expertise have shaped our thinking and enriched our
work. Your insights and feedback have been invaluable in shaping this research. And
to all those who have contributed in ways big and small, this research is dedicated to
you. Your collaboration and inspiration have been instrumental in every discovery,
every analysis, and every conclusion. To our very approachable instructor in this
subject/research , Sir Janrey, thank you for the support and knowledge that you've
shared to us. This lesson that we've learned from you has a big impact to us. Thank
you for being part of this journey and for believing in the power of learning and
knowledge.