Smart Backpack Umbrella with Predictive Sun-Tracking and Posture Compensation

Lau, Yung Cheun (2026) Smart Backpack Umbrella with Predictive Sun-Tracking and Posture Compensation. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

In outdoor agricultural and manual labor settings, workers frequently face intense solar exposure, leading to heat stress and reduced productivity. Existing shading solutions present distinct limitations: traditional headwear traps heat against the head, static canopies restrict mobility, and manual umbrellas occupy the user’s hands, thereby reducing operational efficiency. Previous attempts to automate wearable sun-tracking relied heavily on Light Dependent Resistors (LDR); however, these reactive optical systems suffer from high error rates caused by cloud cover, atmospheric scattering, and user-cast shadows. This project presents the design and implementation of an active, predictive Smart Backpack Umbrella equipped with a Solar Position Algorithm (SPA). Utilizing an ESP32 microcontroller, the system mathematically computes the precise astronomical azimuth and zenith of the sun based on real-time coordinates acquired from a NEO-6M GPS module and a DS3231 Real-Time Clock (RTC). To compensate for user movement and orientation, a complex sensor fusion architecture integrates an MPU-6050 Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and an HMC5883L (magnetometer) to execute real-time tilt compensation. This allows a two-axis high-torque servo mechanism, utilizing DS5180 and TD8120MG servos, to maintain precise canopy alignment autonomously. Furthermore, to accommodate the heavy mechanical payload within a casual, soft backpack without compromising ergonomics, an internal support chassis constructed from long wooden planks and L-brackets was engineered. Powered by a heavy-duty motorcycle battery and regulated by XL4016e1 and HW-064 buck converters, this internal skeleton effectively distributes the mast's moment of inertia across the backpack's thickened ergonomic back pad, eliminating the need for bulky external rigid frames. The resulting system provides highly accurate, automated shading that significantly reduces thermal discomfort and optimizes outdoor productivity.