1. Interspecies Communication Assistance Device Hannah Medford and Terri Schehl COMP 290

2. Product Specifications A device enabling speech impaired individuals to give commands to their assistance animals. A device enabling speech impaired individuals to give commands to their assistance animals.  Commands can be recorded by the trainer and changed as needed.  Touch activated – large buttons for those with limited motor control  Small size, attachable to wheelchair

3. Commercially Available Products  A sophisticated PC version  An unsophisticated version used in classrooms  An expensive portable version  We feel we can make a less expensive product better suited to the task of instructing service animals enablingdevices.com $99.95 Skypoint.com $695.00

4. Components  Sound chip – ISD 2560  Logic chips - NOR 4001B, NAND 4011B, CD74HCT157E CD74HCT157E  Speaker  Box  4 Buttons  2 Switches  Approximate cost of unit: $22

5. Device Block Diagram

6. ICAD - Interspecies Communication Assistance Device  Eight recorded commands  Four buttons and a switch  On/off switch  Rerecordable – requires top to be removed  Jacks for speaker and microphone

7. Improvements  Larger buttons  Switch which is easier to operate  Smaller box  Smaller speaker  Wheelchair mount  Needs to be soldered together

8. Treat Dispenser  For those in wheel chair with limited motor control and assistance dogs  Easily dispense single treat  Allows for reinforcement and bonding with assistance animal

9. Our Design  Gross motor control necessary  Pull top of dispenser down to release treat  Stores ~10 Milk-Bone dog treats  Materials: gumball tube, M&M’s dispenser, tape, glue  Cost: ~$7

10. Improvements  Reliability needs improvement; zero or all the treats may be dispensed  1 treat is dispensed ~80% of the time  Other design possibilities : Stepper motor to turn wheel, Solenoid to push treat out of spring loaded dispenser

11. Conclusions  Several trainers mentioned a need for a treat dispenser, and currently no product is available.  Our design requires improvement, however, it is inexpensive and easy to build.

12. Conclusions  The communication device is a cheaper alternative, but still needs improvements.  With a few small modifications it is functional for those with no motor control challenges.