Sensor Suit for the Visually Impaired Proposed Completion Date 2013 People today that are visually impaired at birth or by misfortune have few options for methods of getting around in their every-day lives. This project will create an instrument that will provide the user with the physical sense of a close object that could otherwise be seen. While taking advantage of all other human senses, the user will have a fast and effective way to safely navigate through the world without sight. This unit will transmit a signal, using an ultrasonic sensor to detect the location of a nearby object. If the object is determined to be close enough to the user, he or she will be notified with feedback from a DC motor that will primarily appeal to sense of touch. Project Proposal Team Members Matthew Denaro, Mark Plante, Alexander McQuade Faculty Advisor: Wayne Smith PhD. Current Date: May 31, 2012 Relevant Courses: ECE617, ECE618, ECE633, ECE634, ECE657, ECE714, ECE757
Contents General Problem Definition... 2 Specific Design Objectives... 2 Parts... 3 Block Diagram of Setup... 3 Implementation and Testing Plan... 3 Labor Distribution... 4 Projected Schedule... 4 Budget Estimate... 5 References:... 5 1
General Problem Definition There are approximately 1.3 million people in the United States who are visually impaired. Some of the options on the market today are canes and seeing-eye dogs. Both of these current options come with some limitations. For example, seeing-eye dogs cost roughly forty-two thousand dollars over the course of their life and are limited by their lifespan. Seeing-eye dogs also are generally larger breeds of dogs such as golden-retrievers and can cause difficulty in navigating small stores. Canes are limited because the user can only detect an object within reach of the cane. If the user is in a hurry, it is difficult to navigate with having only an understanding of what is directly in front of the user. People who are blind should not have to struggle with this limited range of options. This product provides an alternative that is cost effective, and easy to use. The user will be aided with a hands free device that will detect distance. The user will be capable of changing the distance to their specific needs regarding the situation they are currently in. If the user is trying to quickly navigate a busy city street, it would be desirable to detect objects which are only close to the user rather than walking in a rural area where a user would want the unit to be sensitive to objects further away. Specific Design Objectives Using an ultrasonic distance sensor, retrieve a value for the distance using an FPGA. Established the value for the variable distance as a variable dc voltage for the motors. Have multiple sensor and motor packages attached to one Arduino so that a user can comfortably and effectively make use of the sensory design. Find an easy way to wire it up so that it is easy to put on and take off. Develop packaging that contains the pinger and motor for user operation. Create configurations of the pinger and motor packages that allow the user to place these packages in various locations on the body and apply to clothing with minimal visibility. 2
Parts Arduino programmable logic board Parallax PING))) ultrasonic distance sensors Mini pancake vibrating motors Lithium ion battery pack Switch Resistor Block Diagram of Setup Battery Pack Arduino Logic Board Ultrasonic Sensor with Variable Voltage Output Ping))) Resistor Variable Voltage Vibrating Motor Implementation and Testing Plan The basic configuration of one sensory unit will be the first task. This will involve the communication of the logic board with the sensor and the motor. A dc power supply can be used to mimic the Lithium-ion battery pack, which will later be implemented for portability. The switch and the resistor will be implemented to adjust the sensitivity settings on the unit after this configuration is fully functional. This configuration will ensure that these parts are compatible and that they will operate properly when configured in the entire package. The output voltage on the PING))) sensor and a DC power source will be monitored with multimeters to test the motors. The code for the Arduino will be developed once the parts are proven to work. The code will receive the output reading from the sensor effectively sensing distance through an ultrasonic signal. This reading will be interpreted by the software and converted to a variable output voltage sent to the motor. Once the code is finalized it will be tested with the sensor and motor. Once these components communicate properly, the switch and resistor that will allow for low or high sensitivity settings can be placed into the setup. This will be done by recording distance readings with respect to voltage like stated above. After all components are configured properly, the design can be designed as a portable unit. The Arduino Mini, a smaller version of the logic board, can be loaded and used. A battery pack can be added to take the place of the dc power supply. The sensor and motor will be packaged together for consumers. Keeping this sensory unit separate from other components will allow for more possibilities in the placement of the unit in order to suit the user s needs. This will provide greater coverage around the person as a whole. Less invasive ways of applying this design for consumers will be tested. Application on various types of clothing will be explored. 3
Labor Distribution Task Find Motors to Use Find Batteries to Use Find FPGA to Use Find Distance Sensor Make Timeline Type Proposal Contact Those of Interest Order Parts Write Code Small Scale Testing Make Consumer Friendly Person Responsible Matt Matt AJ AJ Mark Matt AJ Projected Schedule 4
Budget Estimate Part Quantity Price Total Price Arduino UNO Board 1 $ 21.95 $ 21.95 Arduino Mini 1 $ 19.95 $ 19.95 Arduino Mini USB Adapter 1 $ 20.99 $ 20.99 PING))) 4 $ 29.99 $ 119.96 Mini Pancake Motor 4 $ 1.00 $ 4.00 Lithium Ion Battery Pack 1 $ 34.95 $ 34.95 Lithium Batteries Charger 1 $ 22.95 $ 22.95 Total Cost $ 244.75 References: American Foundation for the Blind. <http://www.afb.org/section.aspx?sectionid=15 Guide Dogs of America. <http://www.guidedogsofamerica.org/1/mission/ New Hampshire Association for the Blind <http://www.sightcenter.org/ 5