Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
20 Gesture-Based Turn Signaling System
Edan Elazar
Kaylan Wang
Sultan Alnuaimi
Sanjana Pingali design_document1.pdf
design_document2.pdf
final_paper1.pdf
photo1.jpg
photo2.jpg
presentation1.pptx
proposal2.pdf
proposal1.pdf
video
# Gesture-Based Turn Signaling System
# Team members:
Sultan Alnuaimi - saltana2\
Edan Elazar - eelazar\
Kaylan Wang - kaylanw4
# Problem:
Cyclists, skateboarders, and scooter riders often face challenges in signaling their intentions to drivers, especially in low-light conditions. The traditional method of using hand signals is not always visible or practical, particularly at night or during adverse weather conditions. This lack of clear communication can lead to dangerous situations on the road, as other motorists may fail to recognize the cyclist's intended maneuvers, or if an accident occurs.
# Solution:
To address this issue, we propose the development of a gesture recognition-based turn signaling system for cyclists and scooter riders. This system will utilize a combination of sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, integrated into a wearable like a jacket. Then we process the sensor data to identify specific arm gestures made by the rider and activate corresponding LED signals. For example, if the rider extends their arm straight to the left, the left turn signal is activated, or if the rider indicates a stop, then the brake light is activated, and so on. Additionally, the sensors will be able to detect when the rider has had an accident or a crash, and activate a hazard signal.
# Solution Components

## Control Unit:
We will design our PCB and microcontroller to be able to receive data from the sensors, analyze the data, and display the correct signal on the LEDs. When the person is in an accident for example, it should activate the lights to be similar to what you see in car hazard lights. The same goes to the right, left, slowdown signals.

## Power Subsystem:
We will have multiple sensors and a number of LEDs that will require energy. To make the wearable easily reusable we will use batteries that allow charging, such as a LiPo battery. We will target a battery life of 1 hour. We can place the battery in an inner pocket of the wearable , making it easy to wire it to all parts.

## Sensors Subsystem:
For the sensors, we will use an accelerometer and a gyroscope for each arm, and use the combined data from both to determine the nature of the motion. In an accident for example, the acceleration will spike a lot, which will be our indicator. To distinguish between the other signals, we will use the gyroscope to determine the angle of the motion.

## LEDs Subsystem:
We will use LED strips placed on the back and arms of the wearable to display the information. The LEDs will be arranged in a way that will make it clear to drivers and pedestrians what the rider is trying to signal.

# Criterion for Success:
- The wearable should be able to correctly detect the arm signals of the rider, and display the corresponding signal on the LEDs.
- The wearable should be able to detect when an accident/crash happens and display a hazard signal.
- The LEDs should be clearly visible to nearby drivers and pedestrians at day and night.
- The wearable should be easily charged and reusable.

Prosthetic Control Board

Caleb Albers, Daniel Lee

Prosthetic Control Board

Featured Project

Psyonic is a local start-up that has been working on a prosthetic arm with an impressive set of features as well as being affordable. The current iteration of the main hand board is functional, but has limitations in computational power as well as scalability. In lieu of this, Psyonic wishes to switch to a production-ready chip that is an improvement on the current micro controller by utilizing a more modern architecture. During this change a few new features would be added that would improve safety, allow for easier debugging, and fix some issues present in the current implementation. The board is also slated to communicate with several other boards found in the hand. Additionally we are looking at the possibility of improving the longevity of the product with methods such as conformal coating and potting.

Core Functionality:

Replace microcontroller, change connectors, and code software to send control signals to the motor drivers

Tier 1 functions:

Add additional communication interfaces (I2C), and add temperature sensor.

Tier 2 functions:

Setup framework for communication between other boards, and improve board longevity.

Overview of proposed changes by affected area:

Microcontroller/Architecture Change:

Teensy -> Production-ready chip (most likely ARM based, i.e. STM32 family of processors)

Board:

support new microcontroller, adding additional communication interfaces (I2C), change to more robust connector. (will need to design pcb for both main control as well as finger sensors)

Sensor:

Addition of a temperature sensor to provide temperature feedback to the microcontroller.

Software:

change from Arduino IDE to new toolchain. (ARM has various base libraries such as mbed and can be configured for use with eclipse to act as IDE) Lay out framework to allow communication from other boards found in other parts of the arm.