4/15/17-4/21/17 This week we finished up our prototype and final paper! We completed our verification and validation testing protocols. We ran our device through several simulations including smooth tile, bumpy carpet, external pushing, and up/down an incline. For a first iteration, we are very satisfied with the results. Our device was successfully able to identify arcing and non-arcing patterns through differences in push height and push angle measures. It also gives the clinician information about surface type and incline. We wrote a custom Matlab algorithm that extracts push angle, push height, and yaw during a given trial. We also completed our Design Safe analysis, which is an important component of any design process. Next week, we will be giving our final presentation and completing our poster in preparation for BME Day.
4/8/17-4/14/17 We put in a lot of work this week in tweaking our prototype. We ran several test trials on an even surface and have been working with these data samples to modify our custom Matlab code. Currently, the code outputs push height, push angle, and speed. We have completed verification procedures for many of our specifications and are are still working with our inclinometer to get correct incline measures. We also began to work on our final report this week. This report will basically be a user manual for the prototype, for both mechanical and software components. It includes wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings, a software flowchart, and a DesignSafe spreadsheet. Next week, we will follow our validation protocol and complete several more practice runs. We will finish our paper and make our prototype software interface more user friendly.
4/2/17-4/7/17 We had some very significant breakthroughs this week! With the deadline of the project slowly creeping up, we are reaching crunch time. This week we were able to officially connect the output of the Arduinos to the laptop and store them in a text file (using a linux environment). With most of the post-processing code already written, we will import the text files into Matlab. The wrist component was neatly set up with minimal wires and a secure wrist strap. This weekend and next week we hope to finish up the post-processing code and complete the wrist component and wheelchair component set-ups. Then, we will start working on the final paper and the verification and validation process. We also received exciting news that our project was chosen to be a part of a BME Pitch Session. This will occur in the after morning poster session on BME Day, May 2nd.
3/25/17-3/29/17 This week, we started to combine many of the components of our design. We got our speedometer to work as well. This will allow us to calculate the speed of the wheelchair which will be used in calculations for push angle. We attempted to utilize the HC05 bluetooth to wirelessly transmit data but did not have a lot of luck due to the short connection time. Next week we will try the SMiRF bluetooth module. We also have a backup method of Arduino/Matlab serial communication via USB if time constraints do not permit implementation of the bluetooth component. We were also successful in combining several of our sensors onto a single Arduino board and attaching them to the wheelchair (see the weekly report for images of the attachment design). A preliminary Matlab code was also developed that will use sensor data to extract and calculate variables of interest such as push angle, push height, and angle of incline.
3/19/17-3/24/17 This was another big prototyping week. We were able to combine both the capacitive touch sensor and ultrasonic range finder onto one Arduino board. We also are now outputting data from each sensor into a text file (using GoBetweno), which can be processed in Matlab to extract variables of interest. We ordered a speedometer to aid in data processing to calculate push angle. This upcoming week we will continue to work in the data processing phase to extract variables of interest from our raw data.
3/6/17-3/10/17 We made a lot of progress this week and are happy with where we are before heading into spring break. Early this week, Ahna presented our Verification and Validation protocol to the class. Getting feedback from Dr. Klaesner and classmates will be helpful as we tweak these protocols before we evaluate our prototype in the coming months. We also figured out how to use GoBetwino software so that the PC can communicate with the Arduino. We are now able to upload Arduino output from the sensors into a text file stored on the PC. From the text file, we can easily upload the sensor readings into Matlab for processing. In addition, we were able to successfully combine the capacitive sensor and ultrasonic range finder onto one Arduino board. After break, we plan to add the accelerometer/gyroscope to the Arduino board and then beginning processing sensor readings in Matlab to obtain actual relevant data.
2/27/17-3/3/17 This week our main focus was writing and planning our Verification/Validation Plan. We went through all of our design specifications and user needs and created test cases to verify/validate each one. Some of the specifications were more challenging than others. On Tuesday we got our prototyping wheelchair back for use. We also were able to get some lab time in as well. We successfully soldered our sensors and were able to get the inclinometer coded and working. This weekend we will work on the Verification/Validation Presentation and next week we hope to get a little more lab time before Spring Break.
2/20/17-2/24/17 This week, we spent lab time working to get the new accelerometer/gyroscope breakout board up and running. This will be used to measure the surface incline during use of the wheelchair. We had some difficulties making the connection between the Arduino and the sensor, so we are going to solder the pins next week. We are also starting to work on our Verification/Validation Report. In this report, we will create a plan to verify our specs and validate proof of concept for the design. This weekend, we will write up individual parts for the report and meet early next week to put it all together. Next week we also plan to finalize proof of concept testing for the inclinometer/gryoscope. Once all the sensors work separately, we will work to combine them onto one Arduino board.
2/13/17-2/17/17 This week we met with Benny and discussed logistics including data processing and differentiating between self- and assisted propulsion. It was a very helpful meeting to remind us of several things we should be keeping in mind throughout the next steps of our project. We also were able to test the capacitive touch sensor with aluminum tape (stuck to the table for now) and got it working even with a sweatshirt over Anna’s arm (to simulate a glove). From there we attempted to output the arduino data to MATLAB but encountered software problems. We have found other options to pursue instead, including outputting to excel or a txt file before importing to MATLAB. Finally, we also began organizing for the verification and validation report.
2/5/17-2/10/17 This week was another big prototyping week. We were able to program the capacitive touch sensor to output information based on touch/no-touch. Also, we were able to download software to get the Arduino connected to MATLAB. While we did not have enough time to import the data, that is on our list for next week. We also purchased a new accelerometer/gyroscope that will enable us to code for an inclinometer. In addition, the Bluetooth modules arrived which will be incorporated into the prototype as soon as possible. Next week we hope to continue integrating the two coded sensors and output the results to MATLAB. We also have a meeting with Benny at Paraquad.
1/30/17-2/3/17 This week we continued to test out the sensors we have received. We decided to pursue using an ultrasonic range finder instead of a passive infrared sensor because we believe it will be more accurate and will work better in sunlight. We were successful in wiring and coding for the ultrasonic range finder, but were not able to use an accelerometer to measure incline as we originally planned. As a result, we are now looking into using IMU’s (that incorporate an inclinometer, accelerometer, and gyroscope) and Dr. Klaesner sent us articles to read over. We may also purchase a different accelerometer that has a built-in gyroscope. We also attended a presentation by Objex and talked to them briefly after class. Finally, the website has been updated to include our progress presentation and weekly reports.
1/23/17 - 1/27/17 Last week our parts (sensors and arduinos) came in the mail. We also briefly met with Kerri to acquire a wheelchair which we will use for our prototype. This week we built and coded the capacitive sensor using the Arduino. We hope to continue with this progress and have the other two sensors coded and built in the next couple weeks. We have several questions prepared for the Objex session next week in class and are very excited to move into this next phase of the project.