P11017P11017Tactile Navigation Tactile Navigation

Interface for the Visually-Interface for the Visually-Impaired (VI) and BlindImpaired (VI) and Blind

P11017 Team:P11017 Team:Christian SeemayerChristian SeemayerRobert ProiettiRobert ProiettiTimothy DeBellisTimothy DeBellisTimothy GiguereTimothy GiguereWilliam KellyWilliam Kelly

Advisor:Advisor:Dr. DeBartoloDr. DeBartolo

Today’s AgendaToday’s Agenda

Project Problem StatementProject Problem Statement Project Development from Customer Project Development from Customer

NeedsNeeds Built System DesignBuilt System Design

MechanicalMechanical ElectricalElectrical SoftwareSoftware

Testing SummaryTesting Summary Future Project DevelopmentsFuture Project Developments

Problem StatementProblem Statement Objective: Objective: Develop a device to aid the VI and blind in Develop a device to aid the VI and blind in

navigation throughout a building using a tactile interface.navigation throughout a building using a tactile interface. Issues Faced:Issues Faced:

Campus and Classroom navigationCampus and Classroom navigation Predominant use of memory for navigationPredominant use of memory for navigation Current market technology unreliable and expensiveCurrent market technology unreliable and expensive

This is a combination of three Senior Design This is a combination of three Senior Design Projects:Projects:

Intra-Building Navigation Intra-Building Navigation Tactile Navigation InterfaceTactile Navigation Interface Mobile Landmark IdentificationMobile Landmark Identification

Customer Needs Customer Needs

Original Concept DesignOriginal Concept Design

Mechanical System Mechanical System DesignDesign

Housing StructureTop and Side walls

constructed from HDPE and Garolite plastic.

Bottom is rapid-prototyped at RIT Brinkman Lab.

DirectionalityServo-driven tactile pegsTactile pegs made of HDPE

ProximityVibration MotorControlled by MCU to

output 1 second vibrations

Mechanical System Mechanical System DesignDesign

KeypadKeypad Clear bump on “5” Clear bump on “5”

button to understand button to understand # keys locations.# keys locations.

Orange bumps on Orange bumps on side buttons as action side buttons as action keys.keys.

Red rubber bump in Red rubber bump in bottom right acts as bottom right acts as enter key.enter key.

Mechanical System Mechanical System DesignDesign

Attachment Attachment MethodMethod Two elastic band Two elastic band

straps.straps. Velcro attached to Velcro attached to

both at various both at various locations.locations.

Device attaches to Device attaches to user forearm user forearm toward elbow.toward elbow.

Electrical System Design Electrical System Design StrategyStrategy

Individually test Individually test components for components for functionalityfunctionality

Prototype system Prototype system using PIC using PIC development kitdevelopment kit

Create ‘front end’ Create ‘front end’ user inputsuser inputs

Move design to Move design to PCBPCB

Verify power Verify power levelslevels

Electrical System DesignElectrical System Design Built around an 8-bit PIC Built around an 8-bit PIC

C-based microcontroller. C-based microcontroller. Motors controlled by PIC Motors controlled by PIC

and driven by BJT network.and driven by BJT network. Keypad continuously polled Keypad continuously polled

in software, user entry in software, user entry stored in variable length stored in variable length stringstring

String will eventually String will eventually compare to internal map to compare to internal map to provide directional infoprovide directional info

6V rechargeable NiMH 6V rechargeable NiMH batterybattery

Male/Female barrel Male/Female barrel connectorsconnectors

Electrical System DesignElectrical System Design

PCB DesignPCB Design 2 Layer Design2 Layer Design Created and Created and

manufactured manufactured using Express using Express PCBPCB

RIT CEMA RIT CEMA soldered surface soldered surface mount mount componentscomponents

Software Software Embedded C software Embedded C software

written on to PIC18F8722 written on to PIC18F8722 microcontrollermicrocontroller

Prototyping used PIC DevKitPrototyping used PIC DevKit FunctionsFunctions

Continuously polls keypad to Continuously polls keypad to detect user inputdetect user input

Stores user input in string of Stores user input in string of variable lengthvariable length

Compares input to table of Compares input to table of predefined commandspredefined commands

If match occurs, predefined If match occurs, predefined action executedaction executed

Current Predefined ActionsCurrent Predefined Actions Cardinal directions from Cardinal directions from

ServosServos Proximity with vibration motorProximity with vibration motor

Testing SummaryTesting Summary

Future Project Future Project DevelopmentsDevelopments

Structural Ideas Switch from Garolite to HDPE for housing

wall material. Addition of metallic threaded inserts

Prevents stripping the plastic threads Correction of battery gap structural flaw.Software Ideas Addition of Button Lock and Sleep Mode Addition of Cancel Button Change internal clock to reduce time

between inputs Add indicator for acceptable inputs

Future Project Future Project DevelopmentsDevelopments

Possible Design Improvements Research of tubular solenoids

instead of servos. Customized battery and

vibration motor to reduce size. Expanding drawings tolerances

to avoid extra machining. Switch method for creating

bottom housing. Adjustable curvature to provide

better fit for user.

Future Project Future Project DevelopmentsDevelopments

Optimization Ideas Tactile Peg Locations

Locate optimal locations for pegs to reduce spacing Creation of two part device

Part on hand and remainder in user pocket. Reduces size on user forearm, therefore reducing

attention drawn to user. Reduction in device weight.

Wirelessly connected devices Wi-fi or Bluetooth Reduces device wiring

Integration with P11016 Intra-Building Navigation Team project.

Sponsors:Sponsors:National Science FoundationNational Science Foundation

Acknowledgments:Acknowledgments: Dr. Elizabeth Debartolo – Faculty Guide ME Department

Franklin LeGree Dr. Dorin Patru – EE Professor Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired P11016 Navigation Map Team Dr. Marca Lam-Anderson – ME Professor Mr. John Bonzo Dr. Roy Melton – CE Professor Mr. Jeff Lonneville – CEMA Lab Technician

QuestionsQuestions