For this project, my team was tasked with creating a wearable device that takes data from a sensor and provides a useful output for the user. Unlike the other projects this year, we were not given a specific patient profile and instead had to chose our own target customer.

Project Objectives

1. Select an area of focus for your device
2. Select a sensor for use in your device
3. Design a proof-of-concept of your device
4. Evaluate both computational and solid modelling design elements for functionality and correctness

What I Did

• Generated two potential concepts for our device
• Created pseudocode for Process 1 of our computer program
• Wrote code to initiate our computer program and to execute Process 1 using Python
• Repeatedly tested and troubleshooted our computer program
• Correctly wired a distance sensor and vibration motor to effectively interact with our code
• Presented information relevant to the computer program during the final Design Expo
• Completed the Background and Research Summary for our final Design Report

Outcome

Our group decided to create a device for the visually impaired population that would allow them to detect objects at eye level that other assistive devices might not detect. The device would be easy to use and learn while also ensuring safer mobility.

We called our device BGT (Blind Glasses Thing) and it consisted of a case that could be worn as a backpack which contained most of the wiring and hardware, as well as a small clip containing the distance sensor and vibration motor which could attach to any pair of glasses.

Completed device with glasses clip.

Internal wiring of device.

My team at the final Design Expo with our device: BGT.