UCSD HardHack 2024: Digital Compass

As part of a 3-person team at the 2024 UCSD IEEE HardHack, I developed a compact digital compass device in under 24 hours. Designed to help users navigate home in the dark, the system used an Arduino microcontroller and LCD display to provide real-time directional guidance.

We implemented a custom location-tracking and heading algorithm in C++, leveraging WiFi signal strengths and the Google Maps Geolocation API to approximate the device’s position and direction without GPS.

Our project earned first place in Track C, outperforming 7 other teams in the category.

Key highlights:

• Real-time direction guidance via LCD and compass logic
• Location estimation using WiFi signals and Google Maps API
• Optimized power usage and hardware responsiveness under time constraints
• End-to-end embedded C++ development on Arduino