Jennifer Shields– North Reading High School Nikhil Nathwani– Chelmsford High School Philip Bailey– Chelmsford High School ATDF The Fifth sense Team PB N’ J

Client: Garrett Burgess Blind—ruptured optical nerve (happened 4 months ago during unrelated surgery) Wheelchair-bound – He was hit by a car when he was 4 years old 16 yrs old Tends to bump into things with his wheelchair (He can’t use a cane) Enjoys: Playing videogames, browsing the internet, and Hanging out with his friends (Before becoming blind) Now he enjoys listening to TV, books on tape, and music

Requirements & Constraints Safety! Can not have sharp edges or anything that may harm the client or others Price must be under 150 dollars Efficiency Quality of materials Durability Time Must be usable with wheelchair

Possible Ideas:

Distance Sensor in sunglasses or hat, with a beeping/vibrating mechanism on wheelchair Pros: -allows client to sense walls in all directions around him simply by turning his head, eliminating the need for more than one distance sensor -plays upon senses other than eyesight (i.e. touch) -gets the job done -not expensive -very small device Cons: -client would be required to wear the glasses, hat -the sunglasses/hat would have to be pretty large and clunky to fit the circuitry, so it wouldn’t be visually appealing -beeping/vibrating can easily get annoying for him -humans passing by in hallway will make device vibrate continuously -distance sensors will not sense obstacles on the ground

Touch sensor “antennas” A long rod will be connected to the wheelchair through the arm rests. A rubber like material will be attached to the very end of the rod along with a touch sensor When the rod bumps into the wall or other obstacles, signals will produced to activate a vibration or sound that will get the attention of the client Strengths: 1.) Will sense the wall before the wheelchair/client hits it 2.) Hands-free product Weaknesses: 1.) Can be easily damaged 2.) Dangerous to other people in the same room as the client 3.) Can break objects in room

Distance sensors and Vibrating warning device :

Vibrates when wall is near Pros: -Plays upon one of his senses other than eyesight (i.e. touch) -Solves the problem. -Not expensive -Rather small device that can be attached to the wheelshair/hands-free. -No one can hear it. Cons: -Vibrating can easily get annoying for him -humans passing by in hallway will make device vibrate continuously -Distance sensor will not sense an obstacle above or below its field of vision; thus multiple sensors needed -Objects/client can get in the path of the sensor. -Limited view angle of the wall. Distance sensors and Vibrating warning device :

PING)))™ ultrasonic sensor

Sound-producing device

Pros: -Plays upon one of his senses other than eyesight (i.e. hearing) -Gets the job done -Not expensive -Very small device and attaches to the wheelchair -The client liked this idea best Cons: -Beeping can easily get annoying for him and others. -Humans passing by in hallway will make device beep continuously -Distance sensor will not sense an obstacle above or below its field of vision; thus multiple distance sensors needed. -Either the client or other objects could get in the way of the distance sensor

Flow Chart for the Idea

Parts list & Cost Analysis: PING))) Ultrasonic Sensor: $30 x 2 + $5 shipping Flat full volume speaker (2 pack): $ $2 shipping Other small circuit parts: $10 Sheets of laser cutter plastic: $12 x 2 Arduino chip: $24 + $2 shipping Management reserve: $22.00 Total cost: $150.00

Client feedback Liked the rod idea because it would be at constant length, but it could be dangerous. He did not like the glasses/hat idea because it would be difficult for him to wear/annoying to wear. He liked the sonar distance sensors, but thought the vibrating would be annoying –He did like a “ping” sound idea though.

Deciding factors: Ease/convenience of use –Hat/sunglasses were hard to use –Vibrating could be annoying Effectiveness –The rods could easily break objects –Hat/sunglasses would have to be too big