Team Members: Wesley Chipeco, Martin Vega, Kevin Sperzel, Jesus Martinez
Posture-Detecting Sensor: MAE 156A Week 10
Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Our design team has agreed to test several sensors to determine how reliable and practical they are. We have purchased a “Lumo Lift” which is the most popular posture-detecting sensor on the market today. We have also purchased a TI Sensor Tag that has five different sensors and a built in Bluetooth connection to your phone. We will test our TI sensor tag and adjust the code they supply to use both the gyroscope and accelerometer to determine the tilt angle. With will also compare accuracy and operation mechanics of our TI sensor tag with the Lumo Lift. Once we have made our angle correlation and analysis we will take the Lumo lift apart to analyze the circuitry. We will also begin to design the sensor housing to determine which design is the most viable for daily wear.
Accomplishments from Previous Week
We narrowed down our design approach. Initially we had the options of going with a seat pressure sensor or with a wearable design that would measure tilt angle. As a group we unanimously decided to go with a wearable garment that will hold a device consisting of an accelerometer and gyroscope. While our device will primarily consist of an accelerometer and gyroscope we might expand to include a barometer and magnetometer to track steps taken. The posture-detecting sensor will track for angle and provide feedback allowing the user to be aware of how good/bad his/her posture is.
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Kevin: Find vibrating motor for feedback system and research housing design
Martin: Battery that will meet device needs and research housing design
Wesley: Analyze Lumo lift circuitry and look at code for tilt angle
Jesus: Analyze sensor tag circuitry and look at code for tilt angle
Testing of sensors will be done a group.
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (Person, March, 7th 2016)
Our sponsors decided to design a product reminiscent of the Lumo Lift, which is the most popular posture-detecting sensor on the market today. As a result we have purchased the Lumo Lift and will open it to analyze their circuitry. We will also test it to see how sensitive it is to posture changes.
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (Person, February 25th 2016 )
Professor Jayson recommended looking into TI’s SensorTag. As a result we have purchased it and will begin to test it and compare its data output with Lumo Lift. We will also analyze its circuitry so that we can then build our own custom board while implementing their Bluetooth ability. Professor Hoople also brought up the idea of having a vibrating feedback. As a result we are now looking into vibrating motors to implement into our own circuit board much like the Lumo Lift has.
Risks and Areas of Concern
We have yet to determine whether a device will work accurately if placed on a wearable garment. We might have to opt for a device that will be placed on skin via adhesive. Opting for an adhesive device however causes makes it less appealing and more intrusive. It will also require selling adhesive pads to go along with device.
Describe upcoming milestone
We intend on coming up with a viable design and determine which sensors we will apply. We will also have a working model that will output the tilt angle to our phone.
Resources or Information required but not Available
Code for developing phone application
Budget
TI SensorTag: $35.99
Lumo Lift: $79.99
Update on Website
We have a website layout and will begin to update it regularly