Weekly Progress

Week 1 March 30, 2016:

Purpose: Form a group and brainstorm design ideas.

After forming a group we discovered that we are comprised of:

1 Biomedical Engineer

1 Chemical Engineer

2 Mechanical Engineers

Based on this information we decided we wanted to do a project that highlighted all of our strengths. At first we came up with an idea that we would design a box that simulated an ideal environment for a plant to live in. This box was designed to ultimately be used in space so that plant life could exist in other planets. After leaving class, it was discovered that this was already done.

After learning this we met up and collaborated again. It was then decided that we were going to aid blind people. Our device is going to be a headset that alerts users to objects that may be in their way through lights flashing in their eyes and vibrations.

Week 2 April 4, 2016:  

Due at The Start of Lab:

• Design Proposal
• Blog Check #1

Lab Objectives for the Week:

• Discuss Designs
• Ideas
• Alternatives
• Prioritizing/ Ranking
• Plan of Action
• Fusion 360 Design: Due end of week 3

Group Set Objectives:

• Continue Literature Study
• Sketch and Formulate overall Appearance of Design
• Begin 2D Computer Sketch

      

      At the beginning of the week the group decided on the idea and began to draft the project proposal which can be seen under the project proposal tab. During this process the group got a secure idea in what the design of the project was going to look like as well as the materials needed and where the process would begin.
For the rest of the week we began figuring out where the pieces would go on the person such as the batteries and the Arduino board. We started to compile a parts list and taking measurements to begin 3D Models. Here is a picture of Htet and Casey working on the 3D encasement that will surround the googles.

Week 3 April 12th, 2016:

This week, we have finalized a parts list and began our 3D base model of the encasement for the electrical components of our project. We also started a flowchart that explains the general functionality and expectations of our project. Our research was also finalized and a compilation of twenty literary resources have been cited as of now. With thorough understanding of blindness, its variations, and its effects, We have narrowed down the users of our apparatus to those suffering from cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. We are specifically avoiding marketing towards those considered "legally blind" because they will not be able to see whatsoever the light we use in our apparatus to communicate information. Only 1.1 million people in America are considered legally blind, however 43.3 million people are considered visually impaired, which is our target user group, therefore we know our project will aid a majority rather than a minority of those struggling with sight in America.Worldwide, 285 million of the world's population suffer from sight issues according to the World Blind Union on WorldBlindUnion.org.

The statistics read in the above entry were found in the following article: http://www.everydayhealth.com/vision-center/what-causes-blindness.aspx

Parts List:

Arduino Board (FREE)

3D Printer (FREE)

Breadboard (5 minis) $9.00

Assorted Wires (varying lengths) $6.87

LEDs (waterproof) $16.00

Resistors (300) $3.00

Ultrasonic Sensor (2) $9.00

Transistor $3.00

Heat Shrink $7.50

Anticipated Total: $54.37

Anticipated Individual Contribution: $13.60

Sketches Made this Week for 3D Modeling:

Week 4 April 20th, 2016:

             During week 4, we finalized measurements for the first 3D modeling trial of our product. Specifically, the encasement for the electrical components, such as LED lights and Arduino board - has been measured and modeled using Autodesk Inventor. In addition, we began deliberating over the programming and circuitry required for our project, which we anticipate to have complete by week 6 at the latest. The parts and materials have all been order and have arrived as of today. By next week, the group anticipates to have a 3D printed model, and to have started or complete building of our first model. 
By Thursday of the week the parts arrived, and the group met all day Friday to collaborate on 3D modeling programming and placement of the LED's. Here is a picture taken in Drexel's Machine Shop of our LED lights, the Arduino Board donated by Intel and our Ultrasonic Sensors. 




Week 5 April 25th, 2016:

This week the group separate to complete their individual tasks before the end of the week. At the start of the week the group discussed and delegated the goals that needed to be completed by Friday of that week. These goals included:

• Finishing and Ordering 3D Encasement 
• Program the Ultrasonic Sensors
• Complete the Construction of Internal Electrical Components to Prep for LEDs
• Begin to Program LEDs
• Finalize all Research and Update Changes to the Blog
• Begin Final Report Draft

For the first half of the week Casey finished the 3D model. Then figured out the dimension for the encasement that would be required to order the part. On Thursday the part was ordered and Casey spent the remaining days writing a "Future Improvements" section on the blog that will be included in our final report as well as an overview in our presentation. 

Haley and Htet teamed up for the week to assemble and program the internal components. The first half of the week they researched Arduino code for the Ultrasonic sensor and assembled the wiring. On Wednesday they approached an issue that the sensor was picking up to many issues,  the solution to this would be to get a shroud, or encasement to limit the area of projection of the pings. They also tested the accuracy of the sensor by measuring the distance between two objects and comparing it to the output of the sensor, they realized after 2 meters for a smalls object and 3 meters for a large object the sensor takes longer to realize there is an object. The scale for small and larger objects is a average size boy which was labeled as small, and a wall which is large. 2 meters to be alerted that someone is walking in front of you is a pretty far distance and therefore this is suitable. On Friday, Htet and Haley worked together on the LED programming.

Erin continued and finalized research for the second blog check. She also made several updates to the previous pages and followed the comments posted by the lab instructor. Finally she began to draft the final report and delegate the tasks for each member since the paper is due in week 7.

Photos from the Week:
 

Week 6 May 2nd, 2016:

This week was filled with troubleshooting and programming and lots of frustration. Haley spent the first half of the working on the programming and wiring which Htet took over on Wednesday and continued to work on through the weekend. Casey checked with the lab multiple times to see if our part was printed and got the contact info to reach out to someone for more information since this will back up our timeline. Erin began the Final Draft which is due during week 7.

Week 7 May 9th, 2016:

Due this week:

• Final Draft Report

During the very beginning of the week the group got a response about our 3D encasement that it was too large to be printed to we resubmitted it as 2 separate parts. Therefore the waiting time for the incasment has increased but the programming still has been an issue and this printing will not delay the team completely.

The final report draft was due this week so the team worked on it Tuesday and submitted it before lab on Wednesday.

On Thursday the team met in the library to work on the programming of the LEDs, and after 4 hours of youtube tutorials and work- they worked!

Pictures From This Week:

Week 8 May 16th, 2016:

The 3D part was printed and therefore the assembly of the prototype began. Pictures are included bellow. The part was slightly larger than expected, this is because when the part had to be scaled into two pieces some of the measurements were exaggerated but this will only benefit the team because the sensors can now be placed on the top of the goggles where before the placement was slightly undetermined- some arguing that we should build additional holders that will be placed around the user's body, others arguing it should rest on the shoulders.

Since last week the program to light up the LEDs worked, this we began to incorporate the sensor into the code.

We may abandon the sound back up mechanism and use this for the future improvements of the device. We realize that time is soon running out and want to focus on the function and efficiency of the device.

Pictures from the Week:
      

Week 8 Weekend May 21st, 2016:

The Arduino doesn't need to be connected to the computer to work.

We are working on the mount, programming accelerometer and gyroscope, and powering up the entire device from one rechargeable battery (not the 9V, but a power bank). That would also include actual lengths needed for LEDs for the glasses, soldering the breadboard wiring, and step counts using onboard sensors to give feedback to the user as a daily summary via bluetooth (also an onboard sensor).

As far as the readings from the ultrasonic sensors go, they are quite accurate under a reasonable conditions (Some limitations, such as speed, exist.) 

Videos and Photos from the Week:

Week 9 May 23rd, 2016:
This is the final week to work. The team has many objectives to complete for the week. The task delegations for this week include:

Specific Content	Person In Charge	Priority (1-low, 3-high)
Pseudocode	Casey	1
Digital Wiring Diagram	Haley	2
Pictures and Videos in the Dropbox folder	Casey, Haley, Erin	3
CAD Files	Casey	3
Hot glue gun	Lab	1
Mounting the Device		3
CAD Presentation on Sketchfab.com	Casey	1
Wiring/PCB fabrication of breadboard wiring	Haley and Htet	3
laser-engrave the front facing part of the custom part		1
Flowcharts of design processes, codes, etc.	Priorly Done	3
Waterproofing	All	2
Safety	All	3
Challenges	All	3
Video demo	Htet	1
PowerPoint	Casey	3

All of these tasks will be completed, as well as the final report, poster design for the competition and PowerPoint.

Week 10 May 30th, 2016: Final Week!

This week is the presentation. Final pictures: