Week 28 Report
This week, we soldered our vibrational motors, ultrasound sensors, and thermal sensor to protoboards. In addition, we have 3-D printed our holder for both the sensors and motors. We attached the holder to our designed wristband. Our plan is to finish testing the device next week.
Week 27 Report
We have set up the code to integrate ultrasound and infrared sensors to vibration motor output for each detection case. We have also 3D printed the inner layer of the wristband that will house the vibration motors and are finishing the outer layer of the wristband housing the sensors in addition to the accompanying strap.
Week 26 Report
We have acquired the harness for the thermal sensor, and we started implement codes for the sensor. The sensor will be test next week. Meanwhile, we have designed the wristband for the wearability design. The hold design will start next week.
Week 25 Report
We designed part of the algorithm for the ultrasound sensor detection for multiple objects in different left-right positions. We also detailed the wristband design in more detail and begin CAD modeling of the wristband for 3D printing.
Week 23 Report
We finished our V&V presentation, and continued to test and update our circuit for our device.
Week 22 Report
Most of this week was spent finalizing the V&V report, making the schematics for the final device design, and researching the FDA approval process and determining what steps are needed for our device to be FDA approved as a medical device. We determined that our device will be a Class I medical device. In addition, we performed sensor verification tests to determine the accuracy of the ultrasound sensors when detecting how far an object was compared to the actual distance. These results showed that there is a very high confidence and accuracy with measurements within 2 meters and lower confidence between 2 and 3 meters away.
Week 21 Report
We have been able to construct a setup with multiple ultrasonic sensors and vibration motors that can be altered to adjust vibration intensity and emit different vibration patterns for each motor. We have also diagrammed the positioning of the sensors and motors on the wristband, and mapped the ultrasonic sensor readouts to which of the 5 vibration motors should be producing feedback. After speaking to our client, we seem to still be on the same page as far as the progress of the design. Most of the V&V report has been completed besides the Proof of Concept section.
Week 20 Report
After receiving the new thermal sensor model D6T-44L-06, we tested this in our Arduino circuit and realized that we had some implementation issues. For the following week, Frank will read more of the datasheet and manual associated with the product to figure out implementation, while Kevin and Suchith will continue writing the V&V report. As of now, we have completed the first section of the report that encompasses the changes to design specifications and scheduling in addition to making progress on the Detailed Verification plan.
Week 19 Report
After testing the vibration motors again, it seems that a more durable type of motor is required and so we are ordering another model. All of the different infrared/thermal sensors we have purchased have not proved to be consistent in detection and/or timely in response. Therefore, we are also ordering a slightly more expensive, but more capable infrared sensor and expect this purchase to arrive soon as well. We have begun to consider the components of the V&V paper as well, and plan to start writing it next week.
Week 18 Report
We mainly tested the functionality of the vibration motors available to us in Professor Widder’s lab over the past week. Using a circuit with multiple resistors, we were able to program the motor to vibrate at different intensities in a variety of pulse patterns. More testing is needed to understand what is the full extent of the motor’s capabilities and whether or not a superior vibration motor must be purchased. We also realized that there is another HC-SR04 ultrasound sensor available to us in the lab, and so we have begun preliminary testing to compare the effectiveness of the new Sparkfun model to the SainSmart model we have already tested.
Week 17 Report
This week we have tested all sensors we have purchased. The ultrasound sensor worked well. It can accurately detect objects within 4 meters away and 23 degrees left and right of the sensor. We will decides the arrangement of the ultrasound sensor after our next meeting with our client Ms. Erb. The PIR sensor did not work very well because of the really slow response time and high false alarm rate. We are thinking about buying a different sensor to replace our current PIR sensor.
Week 16 Report
This week we have made our design plans for the the spring semester, and we have also marked every problem that we are expected to see. Furthermore, we have ordered our electronics for our design and we met Prof. Klaesner for discussing those issues.
Week 14 Report
The progress report was completed this week. Afterwards, the progress presentation was started for the presentation on Monday, December 3rd.
Week 12 Report
This week was spent writing the progress report and doing additional research into the possible design alternatives. In addition, the components of each design alternatives were researched, and the implementation complexity was evaluated for each design alternative.
Week 11 Report
After further researching and discussing our top options in the aspects of portability, sensor type, and feedback mechanism, we may have determined our best design solution out of those that were initially proposed. This includes using ultrasonic technology, and so we recently ordered a cheap ultrasonic transducer for us to have a better idea of how we need to integrate it into our device. We have also begun planning the writing of the Progress Report, though we will officially start writing it on Sunday, 11/11.
Week 10 Report
Much of the week was dedicated to doing research on the various aspects of the device we want to implement. Frank covered the characteristics of infrared, ultrasonic, and radar-type sensors as well as existing solutions that have integrated them. Kevin did the same research on optical and laser-guided sensors as well as the details of integrating a smartphone application with the device. Suchith researched the use of audio and haptic vibration feedback, including existing solutions that have implemented them. On Thursday (11/1), we had a meeting with our client Ms. Erb over phone call about our research, with a focus on feedback and portability. This greatly helped in ranking our options in those categories and helped us to understand the difficulties involved with some of our ideas. We also discussed how Ms. Erb could help us organize a group of users early in the next semester to test our device.
Week 9 Report
While waiting to hear back from Dr. Richard, we reached out to Brian Mwiti, the creator of the Sixth Sense, a handheld ultrasonic device to determine object location. We also explored additional alternatives to use for feedback, sensors, portability, and processing. We looked into laser-guided systems, radar systems, infrared systems, and optical systems as possible methods to create the device. We also explored different parts needed to make each of the possible devices to obtain preliminary estimates of costs, complexity, and feasibility.
Week 8 Report
Much of the work done this week was devoted to writing and establishing the project website as well as planning the important tasks necessary to complete over the next few weeks. We also reached out to Dr. William D. Richard for advice and guidance.
Week 7 Report
Since Suchith had to deliver the preliminary presentation for our group on Wednesday, much of the weekend was spent making and editing the presentation. After practicing and consulting with one of the AIs, Harry Wu, we made some minor changes and suggestions for how Suchith should deliver the presentation. During Senior Design this week, we viewed and graded all of the preliminary presentations in room 218, including our own.
Week 6 Report
After sorting all existing solutions and patents that are relevant to our project, we had another meeting with our client, Ms. Erb on Monday. During the meeting, we decided to improve our project aim not only be limited on ultrasonic technology, but include some more features that can incorporate with ultrasonic detection to better help improve mobility of visually impaired people. For example, we are thinking adding thermal sensor to help them differentiate whether the surrounding is human or obstacle. In addition, we have completed our preliminary report, and we have started our preliminary presentation.
Week 5 Report
After researching patents associated with technology designed for the visually impaired, we are researching and evaluating current products and existing solutions in the market or prototyping stage. Some of the products include the Sunu Band, eSight glasses, and WeWalk. We were impressed by these solutions but noticed that there were some areas in which we could improve upon them, such as population scope, cost, battery life, and ease of use. Further discussion is needed with our client to determine which population our product exactly aims to serve on the spectrum of visually impairment. Different features would be necessary for those who have diseases that render them visually impaired versus those who are completely blind. Since we have collected most of our preliminary research on the current scope of our project and existing solutions, we are now beginning to outline and write our Preliminary Report.
Week 4 Report
Our group has looked through a large number of patents to determine potential conflicts regarding any of our projects. Based on our patent search and other research, we are now leaning towards developing specialized ultrasonic goggles that detect nearby objects and relay the information to the user. While some versions of this do exist, they present major flaws as reported by users of the product such as a high false alarm rate, lack of directional information, and going off constantly when indoors due to wall detection.
In addition we have looked into Dr. William D. Richard’s work as suggested by Professor Klaesner and believe that his work and expertise will be highly beneficial to our project. We plan to contact him within the next two weeks once we have better background on the technology involved in this project, and a more definitive idea of our final desired product.
In addition we have looked into Dr. William D. Richard’s work as suggested by Professor Klaesner and believe that his work and expertise will be highly beneficial to our project. We plan to contact him within the next two weeks once we have better background on the technology involved in this project, and a more definitive idea of our final desired product.
Week 3 Report
As of the end of this week, our group has communicated twice with our client Ms. Suzanne Erb about potential projects and needs that need to be addressed for the visually impaired. We have decided to focus on improving navigation and mobility for the visually impaired. Possible ideas we have formulated and discussed with Ms. Erb include specialized goggles, a “smart” cane, a topographic map that can serve as an add-on for the wheelchair, and a belt or armband that vibrates for directional information about nearby objects.