Team Reach Project Proposal Jessica McCartney Jie Zheng Monica Marinescu Xiaoning Xu Design of a Non-Visually Accessible Campus Mapping/Database Interface

2 Overview Project Description Project Description Motivation and Scope Motivation and Scope Technical Background Technical Background Design Process Design Process Project Progress Project Progress Challenges and Restrictions Challenges and Restrictions Project Monitoring Project Monitoring Budget Budget Project Benefits Project Benefits Questions? Questions?

3 Project Description The goal of this project is to develop a portable GPS/GIS navigation system for visually impaired students at Smith College The goal of this project is to develop a portable GPS/GIS navigation system for visually impaired students at Smith College Final deliverables: Working prototype with user guide Final deliverables: Working prototype with user guide

4 Project Motivation and Scope Original motivation - visually impaired student and GIS day Original motivation - visually impaired student and GIS day WFI classes, Entrepreneurial Project Proposal and NCIIA funding WFI classes, Entrepreneurial Project Proposal and NCIIA funding Project aimed at helping Smith College students, with a possibility of future expansion (Northampton, Hampshire County, etc.) Project aimed at helping Smith College students, with a possibility of future expansion (Northampton, Hampshire County, etc.)

5 Technical Background - GPS and GIS Global Positioning System - NAVSTAR, 24 Satellites covering the globe Global Positioning System - NAVSTAR, 24 Satellites covering the globe Campus base station Campus base station Geographic Information Systems - easy to manipulate map layers Geographic Information Systems - easy to manipulate map layers Campus information database Campus information database

6 Technical Background - Voice Interface Outputs audio information Outputs audio information Inputs voice commands Inputs voice commands Eyes-free Eyes-free Hands-free, no Braille keypad required Hands-free, no Braille keypad required

7 Design Process Research Research –Familiarization with current resources –Technical background –Product, software, hardware research Product Development Product Development –Assessing user needs –Designing, building, and testing prototype system

8 Project Progress – Device Requirements Essential components Essential components –Microprocessor and Operating System –ROM, RAM –GPS receiver and antennae –Voice-recognition software Optional components Optional components –Pedometer –Density detector –Mic, speaker –Batteries –USB port –Wi-Fi port

9 Project Progress Interviews Interviews –Tasha Chemel, visually impaired student –Laura Rauscher, Director of Disability Services Testing Testing –GPS Coverage by Jessica and Monica –Simulation of Voice-Activated Interactive Menu by Jie and Xiaoning

10 Challenges and Restrictions Design constraints - size, weight, and cost Design constraints - size, weight, and cost Time constraints Time constraints Trial-and-error nature of prototype development Trial-and-error nature of prototype development Understanding the needs of system users Understanding the needs of system users

11 Project Monitoring Project will be largely self-monitored Project will be largely self-monitored Weekly task list checkup Weekly task list checkup Weekly check-in with liaisons Weekly check-in with liaisons Deliverables Deliverables

12 Budget Communication ($400) Communication ($400) –With Liaisons –Research contacts Administrative supplies ($170) Administrative supplies ($170) Product Development ($1460) Product Development ($1460) –Hardware –Software Total - $2030 Total - $2030 Travel ($1360) Travel ($1360)

13 Project Benefits Mass production Mass production Improvement in the quality of life for visually impaired Smith students Improvement in the quality of life for visually impaired Smith students Help a wider pool of users Help a wider pool of users

14 Acknowledgements Professor Howe Professor Howe Technical Liaisons Technical Liaisons –Jon Caris (Smith College Spatial Analysis Lab) –Professor Andrew Fagg (University of Oklahoma) Laura Rauscher (Office of Disability Services) Laura Rauscher (Office of Disability Services) Tasha Chemel Tasha Chemel

15 Thank you for your attention Thank you for your attention Questions? Questions?