Project Motivation: Tackling the Rising Threat of Shoplifting
Driving Question
🚨 Why This Project
YouTube Video Link
Prototype

Published February 15, 2025

Engineering Exploration Project-Smart Door Automation System

Smart security, seamless shopping! Our Theft Alert Automation Door System prevents theft instantly while ensuring smooth experience

BeginnerFull instructions provided99

Engineering Exploration Project-Smart Door Automation System

Things used in this project

Hardware components

M5Stack FIRE IoT Development Kit (PSRAM 2.0)

M5Stack Time-of-Flight (ToF) VL53L0X Laser Ranging Unit (MCP4725/)

SG90 Micro-servo motor

PIR Motion Sensor (generic)

M5Stack Mini RFID Unit RC522 Module Sensor

M5Stack I2C Hub 1 to 6 Expansion TCA9548A Module

M5Stack PbHUB Unit

RFID sticker tag

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Scissors, Free Fall

Tape, Double Sided

Tape, Clear

Story

Project Motivation: Tackling the Rising Threat of Shoplifting

In recent years, shoplifting has surged at an alarming rate, posing a growing challenge to retailers both in Singapore and worldwide. The data paints a concerning picture:

📈 Singapore’s Rising CasesIn just the first half of 2024, Singapore reported 2, 027 shop theft cases, a noticeable rise from 1, 849 in the same period of 2023. The trend has been escalating year after year—3, 939 cases in 2023, a 21.4% increase from 3, 244 in 2022. Even looking back further, the numbers have been climbing consistently from 2, 652 cases in 2021 and 2, 500 in 2020. (The Straits Times - https://str.sg/nLt2)

🌍 Global ImpactRetail theft is not just a local concern—it’s a worldwide crisis. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2024 report, the average number of shoplifting incidents per retailer skyrocketed 93% in 2023 compared to 2019. The financial toll is staggering, with losses reaching $121.6 billion in 2023, and projections indicating this figure could exceed $150 billion by 2026. (NRF.com - https://nrf.com/research/the-impact-of-retail-theft-violence-2024?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Driving Question:

How can a system identify and respond to potential theft attempts in real-time? What technologies can be integrated into a system to identify suspicious behaviors and prevent shop theft?

🚨 Why This Project?

With shoplifting becoming an increasing financial and operational burden for businesses, it is critical to implement smarter security solutions. This smart door automation system was initiated to combat retail theft, enhance surveillance, protect businesses from mounting losses and ensure smooth customers' experience. This system will feature advanced IoT integration for enhanced security, seamless access, and real-time monitoring.

It will not only prevent theft but also optimize energy use and integrate with other smart technologies, creating more efficient and secure environments.

YouTube Video Link:

https://youtu.be/tT1ST4qiEyw

Prototype:

Smart Door Automation System (Exit)

Smart Door Automation System (Entrance)

Poster

Code

from m5stack import *
from m5ui import *
from uiflow import *
import machine
import time
import unit

setScreenColor(0x222222)
tof_0 = unit.get(unit.TOF, unit.PORTA)


object2 = None
car_distance = None



label1 = M5TextBox(16, 18, "Text", lcd.FONT_DejaVu24, 0xddaf16, rotate=0)
image0 = M5Img(95, 82, "res/smile (1).jpg", True)




PWM0 = machine.PWM(26, freq=50, duty=3, timer=0)
while True:
  object2 = int(((tof_0.distance) / 10))
  label1.setText(str(object2))
  if object2 < 20:
    label1.setText('Welcome to Our Store!')
    rgb.setColorAll(0xffff00)
    image0.show()
    PWM0.duty(12)
    wait(3)
    PWM0.duty(3)
    wait(4)
  elif object2 > 20:
    label1.setText('Object too far!')
    rgb.setColorAll(0xff0000)
    image0.hide()
  else:
    label1.setText('Out of Range!')
  wait_ms(2)

from m5stack import *
from m5ui import *
from uiflow import *
import machine
import time
import unit
import machine
remoteInit()
setScreenColor(0x222222)
rfid_1 = unit.get(unit.RFID, unit.PAHUB1)
pbhub_1 = unit.get(unit.PBHUB, unit.PAHUB4)


rp_label1_data = None



image0 = M5Img(110, 92, "res/default.jpg", True)
label2 = M5TextBox(56, 53, "label2", lcd.FONT_DejaVu24, 0xebd90d, rotate=0)
label0 = M5TextBox(81, 23, "label0", lcd.FONT_DejaVu24, 0xe0d12f, rotate=0)
label3 = M5TextBox(81, 208, "label3", lcd.FONT_Default, 0xFFFFFF, rotate=0)
label1 = M5TextBox(139, 208, "label1", lcd.FONT_Default, 0xFFFFFF, rotate=0)






def label_1_callback():
  global rp_label1_data, PWM0, rfid_1, pbhub_1 
  return rp_label1_data
lcd.qrcode('https://flow.m5stack.com/remote?id=undefined', 72, 32, 176)
PWM0 = machine.PWM(26, freq=50, duty=3, timer=0)
while True:
  if pbhub_1.analogRead(0):
    if rfid_1.isCardOn():
      if (rfid_1.readUid()) == '884c71b50':
        rp_label1_data = 'Tag Detected!!'
        label0.setText('Tag Detected!!')
        label3.setText('Tag ID=')
        label1.setText(str(rfid_1.readUid()))
        label2.hide()
        rgb.setColorAll(0xff0000)
        image0.changeImg("res/default.jpg")
        speaker.tone(1800, 200)
    else:
      rp_label1_data = 'Thank You for Shopping with Us'
      label0.setText('Thank You for ')
      label2.setText('Shopping with Us!')
      label3.hide()
      label1.hide()
      rgb.setColorAll(0x33ff33)
      image0.changeImg("res/default.jpg")
      PWM0.duty(12)
      wait(3)
      PWM0.duty(3)
      wait(4)
  else:
    PWM0.duty(3)
    wait(3)
  wait_ms(2)

Credits

Su Myat Mon

1 project • 0 followers

Engineering Exploration Project-Smart Door Automation System