Farizah Naeem
EchoStep
For a second-year university project, the EchoStep initiative aimed to enhance the independence, mobility, and quality of life for visually impaired individuals worldwide. We focused on creating a shoe equipped with ultrasonic sensors for obstacle detection and avoidance, integrating haptic feedback to provide tactile interaction with the environment. Through innovative design, EchoStep addresses the specific needs of visually impaired users, working to improve their overall independence and quality of life.
Overview
The EchoStep project was developed to enhance mobility and safety for the visually impaired, addressing the needs of over 2.2 billion people globally. The project features shoes with ultrasonic sensors that detect obstacles and provide haptic feedback, increasing vibration intensity as obstacles get closer. This design, rooted in soma design principles, engages motion, sight, and hearing to improve spatial awareness. Visual cues indicate battery levels, and audio cues help users locate the shoes, making EchoStep a comprehensive navigational aid for the visually impaired.
Roles and Responsibilities
Team Members:
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Zakaria Khodr
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Jayden Ko
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Areeb Mohsin
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Farizah Naeem
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Isabel Uribe-Perez
Together,
-We as a team worked on all aspects of the project together, such as,
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Background Research
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Writing the project brief
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Creating the prototype
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Creating the presentation slide decks
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Presenting in front of our peers and professor
Scope and Constraints
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Limited to no budget
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No real User-Testing or Interviews conducted due to Time Constraints
Solution
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Upcycled a pair of shoes to create the prototype, as well as an Arduino Uno with companion components
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Gathered our information through Internet/Remote Research
Accomplishments
What I accomplished through my involvement in this Somatic Design Project is being able to make use of the limited time and resources available to come up with real solutions to problems that people face. Knowing that a lot can be done to change the world for the better even with a limited budget. I achieved team building skills, learned to compromise my time and skills for the betterment of the team.
The Working Process and Actions Taken
Inspiration
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Our group wanted to find a present issue in our community that we could potentially find and create a solution for using an Arduino Uno, as per the requirements of the project
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We looked into a couple of existing products and concepts to draw inspiration from
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Sedentary behaviour impacts health → Pomodoro Shoe with Vibration Haptics
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Cyclists Visibility Issue → Apparatus attached to bike that lights up when reacting to darkness
Understanding
Design Problem
The EchoStep project addressed the challenge of safe navigation for visually impaired individuals by targeting the difficulty of detecting and avoiding obstacles like pits, stairs, and traffic junctions. The project aimed to fill a gap in the market for assistive devices that enhance independence, mobility, and quality of life for this community.
Design Process
The EchoStep project began by addressing mobility challenges for visually impaired individuals through a specialized shoe. The design process involved research, brainstorming, and creating a prototype with ultrasonic sensors for obstacle detection, following soma design principles. Despite technical challenges like powering the device, the team explored solutions such as dual Arduino boards and external power sources. Feedback guided iterative improvements, focusing on enhancing tactile, visual, and auditory interactions to improve navigation, with considerations for mobile power sources and potential app integration.
Ideation
Initial Sketch
The Critical Making Process
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Conceptualization and Identification of Need
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Brainstorming and Research
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Prototype Production
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Addressing Technical Challenges
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Incorporating Soma Design Principles
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Iterative Design and Feedback
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Future Development and Refinement
Addressing the Social Issue
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Accessibility
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Inclusivity
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Mobility and Independence
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Quality of Life
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Obstacle Avoidance
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Inclusive Technology Design
Making
Materials Used
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Shoes
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Electronics Fun Kit
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Vibration Motors
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Ultrasonic Sensors
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Scissors
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Tape
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Cardboard
Constructing the Prototype
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Sensor and Circuit Integration: Adding sensors and connecting them to the circuit to enhance environmental interaction capabilities.
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Dimension Measurement: Measuring and obtaining exact dimensions of vibration motors and ultrasonic sensors to ensure they fit with the Arduino board and breadboard.
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Wiring and Component Connection: Connecting vibration motors and ultrasonic sensors to the Arduino board with suitable wiring, ensuring secure placement to prevent malfunctions.
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Programming the Arduino: Programming the Arduino to activate vibration motors based on ultrasonic sensor data.
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Component Assembly: Attaching all components onto the shoe, ensuring seamless wiring without obstruction.
Challenges in Constructing the Prototype
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Vibration Motor integration -
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Challenge: Adequately powering the vibration motors.
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Solution: Attempted using an external power source (a battery) but ultimately continued with the original plan due to unresolved issues.
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Arduino Uno -
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Challenge: The initial inability of the Arduino board to support both motors and sensors due to power limitations.
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Solution: Experimented with two Arduino boards and explored different component combinations without a definitive solution, leading to a decision to stick with one Arduino board.
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Wiring/Coding -
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Challenge: Extensive debugging and experimenting with wiring configurations and adjustments in programming.
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Solution: Required creative problem-solving and iterations, but no specific solution overcame the issue, leading to a continuation of the original direction using one Arduino board.
The Final Prototype
Concluding Evaluation
The final EchoStep prototype enhances mobility and safety for visually impaired individuals by integrating ultrasonic sensors for 360-degree obstacle detection, providing tactile feedback through vibration motors that intensify as obstacles approach. The device currently requires a connection to a laptop or outlet for power.
Next Steps
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Include light for visual cues and sound for audio cues.
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Add vibration motors and ultrasonic sensors all around the shoe for enhanced obstacle detection.
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Further experiment with a mobile power source, like a power bank or battery, to eliminate the need for connection to a laptop or computer.
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Explore 3D printing some components to reduce bulkiness and enhance wearability.
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Aim to integrate an app element with the EchoStep shoes for additional features.
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Implement all these elements on both shoes, instead of just one.
Slide Deck