Project
| # | Title | Team Members | TA | Documents | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Electronically Enhanced Blind Probing Cane |
Angela Park Christian Reyes Yu Zhang |
Anthony Caton | design_document1.pdf design_document2.pdf final_paper1.pdf final_paper2.pdf other1.pdf presentation1.pptx proposal1.pdf |
|
| Names: Christian Reyes, Angela Park, Yu Xiao Zhang NetIDs: creyes32, aspark4, xyzhang2 Title: Electronically Enhanced Blind Probing Cane References: Prof. Viktor Gruev, Skot Wiedmann (Electronics Service Shop) Description: Currently, blind walking canes (also known as ‘probing canes’ and ‘white canes’) are a practical solution for assisting the visually impaired which allows them to better understand the environment that surrounds them. By grazing the end against horizontal surfaces and tapping against vertical ones, the user is able to determine through differing textures what the terrain is like ahead of them. While effective at its most current form, the traditional cane is still unable to necessarily determine a rapidly changing environment to alert the user of abrupt obstructions as well as the size of the object. One project solution for this posed in FA18 titled “ProxiPole” was successful in detecting objects at a large range; however, the spatial resolution that they had was very broad and would be inefficient in environments where multiple objects were present. Additionally, their design did not take into consideration the size of an object that was posed in front of them, as it was meant to replace the original intended function of a probing cane completely with the use of sensors. For our project, we wanted to maintain the original functionality of the probing cane but also enhance the design using sensors and haptic feedback for the user in order to gain a better understanding of how close a particular object is and its location. For the sensors, we would like to use a number of LIDAR sensors. These LIDAR sensors will be placed vertically along the cane such that when the cane is held, each will have an associated height with respect to the object being scanned in front of it. With this sensor information, we plan to relay the signals to a microcontroller which would process them and determine an appropriate haptic feedback for the user through a wearable that exhibits vibration. This vibration would be in the form of a wearable bracelet for the user and based on the distance of the closest sensor, varying vibration intensities will be given. In addition to varying intensities, unlike last semester’s project we would like to have better size recognition of the object which would be indicated by certain vibration patterns. For example, if we choose to use four LIDAR sensors, if only one detects an object within its range then there will be a single pulse with an associated intensity. If two sensors detect an object then there will be two pulses and so on. Based on these vibration patterns the user can identify how tall an object is in front of them and can decide whether or not it is passable. This design can also be used for identifying stairs. We would also like to be able to improve upon the spatial resolution that is detected by making a much tighter operating window for object detection in order to solve the issue of constant haptic feedback that the previous project had. By changing the design of the sensor placement so that they are “stacked” vertically instead of a horizontal fan array that the previous group had, there will be a much finer spatial resolution. We noticed that the FA18 group powered their walking stick by plugging it into a wall outlet. To improve mobility, we plan to implement a rechargeable Li-ion battery in the handle of the walking stick that we will connect using a T-clasp wire connector. This will allow the user to easily remove the battery and recharge it. The overall construction of the cane we plan to have made of either fiberglass or aluminum, as that is the current standard for basic blind walking canes. The major overall subsystems that will be present are the detection sensors, microcontroller for processing, PCBs, and the haptic feedback. For our group’s reach goals, we want to try to implement a wireless feature that interfaces the bracelet to the walking cane in order to reduce the wiring and therefore weight/size of the cane. In order to accomplish this, we have considered using Bluetooth modules on the bracelet and the cane itself. Another reach goal we considered was to implement IMUs in the case that the user is holding the stick in such a way that the sensors need to be properly oriented to be straight and not angled too far up or down. |
|||||