NAS Configuration The primary reason for the construction of this server was to operate as network storage as before my data was scattered across multiple drives with zero backup which was not only an inconvenience when it came to access, but also carried a high risk of data loss should one of the many drives fail. While cloud storage was one way of sorting this issue without the upfront cost, this raised concerns for both reliability as I would be required to have an internet connection at all times to access my data, and for privacy as having unencrypted copies of my data on a company data centre gives no guarantees that the data isn’t being used for alternative purposes. Thus I preferred a local NAS solution. ...
Introduction Maintaining control and privacy over the technology I use on a day-to-day basis has always been something that I have strived towards and when combined with my long-term interest of exploring technology, self-hosting became an very interesting avenue that I couldn’t turn my head away from. The idea of running my own services instead of relying on third-party platforms presented the perfect opportunity to take control over my data while developing valuable skills in server management and system administration. With this in mind, I decided to build myself a server that would be the foundation of my journey. ...
Introduction For the implementation phase of the mobile development course that I undertook during the final-year of my undergraduate degree, I was tasked with developing an application for the android operating system. In tackling this project, I focused on the informational side of Android applications in the form of a football scores and standings app that would be capable of retrieving up-to-date information on the table and fixtures of the Spanish first division, “La Liga” upon the user’s request. Aside from personal interest, this project was seen as an ideal opportunity to experiment with internet-based interactions from within the Android operating system as well as to gain experience in developing a clean and intuitive user interface that matches form and function in equal measure to provide seamless data access. ...
Abstract As a part of the Intelligent Systems course that constituted towards my undergraduate degree I was tasked with the creation of a machine learning model using one of the many techniques that are commonly encountered in the field of Artificial Intelligence. This project explores the development of a supervised image classifier using a convolutional neural network. Making use of the PyTorch library, it focuses on breaking down the constituent parts of an image classifier to provide an in-depth analysis of the intricacies of the architecture, training process, and performance evaluation, while utilising CUDA acceleration along the way to speed up the model processes. After a meticulous process of iterative refinement and the addition of data augmentation techniques, the resulting custom CNN architecture achieved an accuracy score of 85.21% on the “Animal Species Classification - V3” dataset from Kaggle, a respectable result that aptly demonstrates the potential that CNNs hold for image classification tasks. Additionally, suggestions for future improvements are explored, including the implementation of transfer learning and the inclusion of new metrics, paving the way for future iterations of the model to produce greater, more accurate results. ...
Introduction As part of the implementation section for my final-year Internet of Things course during my undergraduate degree, the decision was made to create a camera system that can alter its viewing angle remotely. This type of device brings an added dimension of versatility to security cameras by allowing a single camera to cover a much wider area than what would be otherwise possible without distorting the image with accessories like a fisheye lens. To achieve this, the project will make use of an internet-connected microcontroller that will host a webpage displaying a live camera feed and an array of buttons that send movement instructions to the microcontroller to be acted on by the servo motors. This project aims to create a system that can display low-latency video of acceptable quality for security purposes while also providing a robust movement system that is all accessible in a simple user interface. ...
Introduction For the coursework of the Spatial Computing module in my final year of university, the task was to create an experience that allowed the user to interact using their bodies. For my project, the decision was made to pursue virtual reality due to a personal interest in the field. I sought to explore the cornerstone features of VR to truly delve into what makes spatial computing unique and innovative compared to traditional systems. Using this methodology, world traversal and object interaction were pinpointed as two of the most distinctive features that VR systems have to offer, and as such, they became the focal points around which I would base my project. It then became a necessity to formulate a project idea that could effectively harness these two features to create a coherent and immersive VR experience which culminated in the decision to create a virtual escape room where the user would explore and interact with their surroundings to solve a number of puzzles that would lead to their escape. ...