This project began with many early ideas centered around bringing back analog products and creating communicative objects that encourage connection rather than distraction. I was interested in how physical, non screen based interactions could support focus while also making technology feel more human, intentional, and present.
early concepts centered on a physical notification machine, but once i introduced an external time source, the designs started to feel like alarm clocks. since time was never the point, it became clear the concept was drifting away from its core purpose, pulling attention away from the core function.
I eventually pivoted away from the idea of incoming and outgoing analog messaging and focused instead on creating Focus Bot. The goal became simpler and more personal: telling me my notifications on receipt paper so I do not go on my phone but still stay connected to the outside world. Focus Bot prints one large receipt in the morning so I am not stuck in bed scrolling, encouraging me to get up, get ready, and leave without grabbing my phone. A work mode button filters out group chats and spam, showing only messages from favorite contacts, missed calls, and important emails so I stay connected to what matters without the distractions of the smartphone interface.
I went through many receipt designs, including versions that used images and graphics on the thermal printer, but none of them felt right. Ultimately, I chose to use the classic receipt printer font to keep the output simple, clean, and intentional.
For the coding and hardware, I used Arduino and the Arduino IDE to bring the concept to life. The system runs a thermal receipt printer, two physical buttons, and a 5V DC power input, allowing the device to function as a simple, standalone object without relying on a screen.
