Team Corgi Lauren Barker, Allison Rugg, Eric Walter-Grant

Our Client Our Client is Tewksbury Hospital Equestrian (T.H.E.) Farm, which uses horse-back riding as occupational therapy. They seek to make a Sensory Trail which will stimulate the riders’ five senses. Users of the trail include: the those suffering from visual impairment, autism, learning disabilities, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, etc. Statement of Need: Our clients need to improve their balance, posture, mobility, coordination, cognitive ability, and strength.

Project Restraints Our project must be: – Safe – Weatherproof – User-friendly – Easily constructed in 1.5 months – Large enough for use while on horseback – Powered outdoors – Cost-effective – Energy-efficient – Durable – Aesthetically pleasing – Natural look – Not too flashy

Musical Pairs Musical Pairs Diagram Flashes an LED, corresponding to a musical note. Rider then presses corresponding note by finding matching colored button “Reward” (ie. chasing lights or an appealing noise) signifies a right answer Plays a tune using a few notes played sequentially Memory game GO Off Musical Pairs

Pros of Musical Pairs People generally like music Visually and mentally stimulating with colors and different musical notes Child will enjoy hearing a familiar tune

Cons of Musical Pairs The game would not work if an LED went out. Could make the client frustrated because of trouble memorizing Arguably too complex

Animal Sound Matching The rider will press a “go” button, and a random animal sound will be played. The rider will then press the matching animal-shaped button. A correct choice will be rewarded with flashing lights and sounds. The animal names will also be written in Braille beneath their respective buttons. This activity is similar to the popular “See ‘N’ Say” toy.

Pros of Animal Sound Matching Compatible for blind and sighted people Good for young children Fun and easy to use Sound is stimulating Can be educational, teaching Braille/reading for younger children Relevant to THE Farm; patients probably like animals Client liked this idea most

Cons of Animal Sound Matching We need to figure out how to randomize it Unoriginal Not very stimulating Too simple for higher-developed patients

Whack-A-Mole Whack-A- Shape Use popup critters or shapes Use moles represented by red, yellow, and green LEDs Tap the illuminated LED with mallet Touch sensor on each mole so that it makes a noise when hit

Pros of Whack-A-Mole Fun Familiar game Made of simple materials Good for all ages Physically stimulating Pertinent to a farm because moles are animals

Cons of Whack-A-Mole If an LED went out, the game would not work so well. Leaves/pine needles could build up in the holes Would entail more power Much more complicated to construct (more mechanics)

Musical Pairs Function Press GO Randomized outputs 1 of 6 Musical Notes plays LED that matches with note lights up Multiple times to play tune? Patient presses colored button that matches corresponding LED color Client presses GO after sequence guess New musical sequence will play Game shuts off automatically after 1 min of no use Patient chooses wrong note. Note plays and failure sound effect plays Patient chooses correct note. Note plays and cheers sound plays.

Animal Sound Matching Function Press GO Random Animal sound plays Client presses the animal button that matches If correct, animal sound plays again If wrong animal pressed, cute voice says “try again” repeat until Correct animal sound is pressed and sound plays Is the game in use? Yes NoHas it been inactive 1 min? No Yes Power off

Whack-A-Mole Function Press GO Random Mole pops out Has mole been hit? Yes NoHas it been 3 seconds? No Yes Another mole pops out while the first one goes back in Has game been inactive 1 min? No Yes Power off Mole says “ouch” and goes back in hole

Client Feedback Our client approved of each idea, but preferred the Animal Sound Matching. Stimulating colors and sounds are important. Animals are good because they are related to THE Farm, and allow sound to be used. Natural appearance is important. Violence should not be incorporated. Must be loud enough to be audible.

Final Decision Revised Animal Sound Matching Looks like Whack-A-Mole diagram but has 6 different stationary (farm) animals Random animal noise plays Patient responds by hitting the corresponding animal (button)

Final Decision If patient hits wrong animal, “try again” voice New animal sound every five seconds unless animal is pressed If correct animal is pressed, new sound immediately If inactive for 15 seconds, game shuts off

Parts List Plastic panels - $64 – Two 2x2 ft. acrylic panels ($20) – Two 2x1 ft. acrylic panels ($12) 2 Panel legs - $30 Randomizing chip - $0.50 Components(speakers) - $20 Voice recordings – $20 Plastic animal shapes from laser cutter - $0 Mallet - $0-7 6 touch sensors - $3 Circuit board - $0 Amplifier – $0