Summary of "How to make Smart Street Lights using Arduino || Best Science Project || SKR Electronics Lab"

Scientific Concepts and Natural Phenomena Presented

Smart street lighting technology: The project involves creating street lights that adjust brightness based on ambient light and motion detection, optimizing energy consumption.
Light sensing: Using IR (infrared) sensors to detect objects (like cars or hands) to increase brightness when motion is detected.
Ambient light detection: The lights remain off during daytime (high ambient light) and turn on dimly at night.
Energy efficiency: Lights operate at low brightness throughout the night and only increase to full brightness when motion is detected, saving energy.

Methodology / Project Construction Outline

1. LED Preparation

Use white LEDs.
Identify positive (longer leg) and negative (shorter leg) terminals.
Cut excess LED legs and solder long wires to positive and negative ends.

2. Street Light Assembly

Fix LED on a plastic spoon using hot glue.
Attach the spoon to a PVC pipe with holes drilled at top and bottom.
Secure wires properly using glue.
Add thermocol on top for finishing.
Make four identical street light units.

3. Base Construction

Use MDF board as base.
Cover with black art paper.
Attach an electric casing on the base.
Fix the four street lights on the casing.

4. Wiring Setup

Connect all negative (ground) wires of LEDs together.
Connect positive wires individually with 100-ohm resistors.
Use IR sensors (four units) mounted next to each street light.
Connect VCC and ground pins of all IR sensors together.
Connect output pins of IR sensors to Arduino digital input pins (D2 to D5).
Connect positive LED wires (through resistors) to Arduino digital output pins (D6, D9, D10, D11).

5. Arduino and Sensor Integration

Use Arduino Nano mounted on a mini breadboard.
Connect Arduino 5V and ground to breadboard power rails.
Connect IR sensor power and ground to breadboard rails.
Connect sensor outputs to Arduino digital pins.
Connect LED negative wires to Arduino ground.
Connect LED positive wires (via resistors) to Arduino digital pins.
Connect an additional LR sensor module to Arduino for extra sensing (connected to pin D7).

6. Power Supply

Use two 18650 lithium-ion batteries (3.7V each) in a holder.
Add a switch between battery positive terminal and Arduino VIN pin.
Connect battery ground to Arduino ground.

7. Programming the Arduino

Install Arduino IDE software.
Load provided code (available for purchase).
Adjust brightness settings in the code (range 60 to 250).
Select Arduino Nano board and correct COM port.
Upload the code.
Troubleshoot errors by selecting the correct processor or checking Serial Monitor.
Use online resources (like 4GBD) for debugging help.

8. Testing

Turn on the switch and test under bright light (LEDs off).
Turn off ambient light (LEDs glow dim).
Wave hand or move object in front of sensors (LEDs glow at full brightness).
Use flashlight to simulate day/night detection (LEDs turn off in bright light).

Researchers / Sources Featured

SKR Electronics Lab (video creator and presenter)
Altum Design (sponsor and PCB design software provider)

This project demonstrates practical applications of Arduino, IR sensors, and LEDs to create energy-efficient, motion-activated street lights that operate based on ambient lighting conditions.