Project Overview
The Micro Satellite Store was developed as a high-efficiency, low-cost retail solution designed to serve rural Japanese communities and high-density neighborhoods. This project aimed to miniaturize the autonomous retail experience into a standalone, relocatable structure while maintaining rigorous security and environmental standards.
My primary responsibilities focused on the mechanical design of entry systems and the technical procurement of climate-controlled hardware, ensuring the unit could operate reliably in varied global environments.
Technical Contributions
- Entry Hardware Design: Engineered a custom integrated door lock and handle assembly featuring a weather-resistant scanner and camera housing for mobile authentication.
- International Compliance: Navigated the technical intersection of Japanese electrical codes and domestic U.S. gas station fire safety regulations for refrigeration integration.
- Structural Validation: Performed shelf deflection testing using precision calibration weights to ensure structural rigidity. This prevented erratic weight-sensor readings essential for accurate inventory tracking.
- Security Engineering: Conducted FEA on critical entry components to harden the structure against tampering and physical breach attempts.
Visual Documentation
System View: Complete view of the standalone micro-store. The rear enclosure houses the server and edge-computing infrastructure.
Entry System: Custom handle assembly with integrated instructions and authentication camera.
Environmental Validation: Outdoor thermal analysis conducted to verify climate-control performance in high-ambient temperatures.
Mechanical Analysis: Shelf deflection testing with known water weights to calibrate high-sensitivity load cells.
Mechanical Analysis: Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of a plastic lock guard designed to prevent wedging door locks open.