Smart Automated A/C Drain Line Cleaner

The brief

Our client tasked us to improve their smart A/C drain line cleaning solution. During the initial phase, the WebbyLab team had to create a firmware and device controller PoC, mobile and web app SRS, and test the solution through its Alpha version. Subsequently, our experts had to handle the full-scale development of mobile and web apps as well as an admin panel, coupled with firmware creation and device production consulting. The project’s culmination extended to providing continuous support, enabling the client to expand their operations to B2B and B2C customers.

Challenge

Dealing with device development uncertainty — from microcontroller selection to balancing internet connectivity and smart features with battery efficiency — was a crucial business challenge as client wanted to excel in the market. Expanding our client’s operations from B2C to B2B users was another obstacle that required our comprehensive understanding of diverse customer needs.
Technical limitations our experts faced included initiating firmware development and back-end integration simultaneously with hardware and device creation to speed up the MVP launch.

Solution

Our experts assisted our client in developing a full-fledged IoT solution for HVAC cleaning despite various complexities. Starting with a discovery stage, where we clarified all client’s needs and expectations, we defined technical specs and functional requirements for the product in the SRS.

Continuing our work, we created the PoC of the HVAC IoT cleaning device controller and its firmware. Our team also analyzed about ten microcontrollers to select the most suitable one. At the end of the PoC stage, we prepared a complete algorithm of device operation and a detailed description of its functions.

The development phase began with setting up the infrastructure according to the architecture we’ve designed. We leveraged the Google Cloud Platform for this purpose. Additionally, our specialists used WebView technology to create identical interfaces across iOS, Android, and web browsers. We then developed the mobile app on React Native and a web add-on on React JS. We also built an admin panel for convenient management of devices and users through our boilerplate and component library.

The WebbyLab team selected the ESP32-S2 microcontroller and tailored the device firmware accordingly. Besides this, we tested the hardware, functionality, and user experience across multiple device versions. Subsequently, we delivered feedback and test results to the client, made necessary device improvements. Our experts also supervised the device manufacturing remotely, providing the production staff with a test environment, test scripts, and a manual testing checklist.

As soon as the decision to enter a new niche, B2B, our experts supported our client’s endeavor. We adapted the HVAC IoT solution cleaner for B2C and B2B consumers, expanding its architecture and functionality. The WebbyLab specialists continue introducing updates and looking for new opportunities to help succeed in the market.

Software architecture model

Key features

We delivered a complex IoT air conditioning drain line cleaning solution, which comprises the following functionality:

• Scheduled HVAC maintenance
• Over-the-air (OTA) updates
• Built-in admin panel
• Internet connectivity
• Offline mode for autonomous device operation
• Event logging
• Device pairing via mobile app and web browser
• Up to seven device awakening triggers
• BI tools integration
• B2B functionalities
• Customer support via chat and video calls

Results

Our efforts in automatic A/C drain line cleaner development brought fruitful results. The device functionality checklist currently contains over 200 features. On top of that, the developed firmware allows the device to function for up to three years on just 4 AA batteries. The WebbyLab team keeps introducing improvements to current project, accommodating the evolving B2C and B2B customer needs.