Smart Radiator System for Enhanced Thermal Management Using IoT and Hand Gesture Recognition

Abstract

This paper presents the design and implementation of an intelligent radiator system that leverages Internet of Things (IoT) technology and hand gesture recognition (HGR) to enhance thermal management and energy efficiency in residential environments. The system addresses the limitations of traditional heating systems by enabling users to control radiator temperature via a web interface and intuitive hand gestures. The system utilises a Raspberry Pi, an ESP32, and sensors (temperature, ultrasonic, and gyroscope sensors) to monitor the environment and enable precise control. The HGR functionality, powered by MediaPipe, allows for convenient, touchless adjustment of heating settings with an accuracy of 73.02%. The system’s performance is evaluated through a LEGO prototype, and potential refinements, such as dataset expansion and model optimisation, are discussed. The project demonstrates the potential of IoT technology to deliver innovative and practical solutions for energy management in smart homes. Future work envisions the integration of the system with a mobile robotic platform, enabling dynamic thermal data collection, enhanced human-robot interaction, and expanded home automation capabilities.