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My PBL
Project Introduction
Talha Mohammed and his group of engineers came together and brainstormed ideas on ways to help disabled people to move around with not just their hands, but also with their heads. They were able to convert a regular wheelchair into an automated wheelchair that could help disabled people move around efficiently. Not only did they make the wheelchair automated, but also economically cheaper. The team used an accelerometer to determine the direction in which the user wanted to move towards. Forward, backwards, left, right you name the directions, they could move do it. The team did face many problems with movement, coding, and designing their project, but that didn't stop them, they continued to work hard and progress towards their goals. They were able to do this by splitting the amount of work done evenly. We once again left the coding to Talha Mohammed, gave the 3D model to Allen Thomas, and construction and project management to Kirubel Atsmegiorgis. Through sheer determination and hard work, they were able to complete their project. Even through some minor setbacks, with the help of their engineering teacher they keep that drive to work hard and create new concept.
Methods
1. What are the requirements?
In our project, we want to make an automated wheelchair that can be used by people who have the disability to walk and have Quadriplegia ( a symptom of paralysis that affects all a person's limbs and body from the neck down ). The project needs to be efficient and cost-effective. All motors must be able to move in every direction, in orderly fashion. We also made the structure of the prototype in order for it to be easily portable and mobile.
2. How can we make it in a way that it works?
In our engineering room, we used Vex V5 gears in order to make our prototype. We used V5 brain, motors, wheels, and accelerometers. All other gears we used were either 3D printed or parts from the wheelchair. Due to the excessive amounts of gears used, we had tons of wires connect to the brain, which caused some errors in the code. Out of all the gears we used, the accelerometer played a crucial role in making the prototype work. We used the accelerometer to control the movement of the motors, causing them to move ( forward, reverse, left, and right) based on the direction in which he user moved their head. The brain also played a key role in this because we wouldn't be able to use the other V5 objects without the brain. The brain would also tell us if the wheels were calibrated or not.
3. What material is best suited for this application?
Our engineering project called for a variety of materials, but metal and plastic seemed to be the most appropriate. Due to its malleability and ability to be bent into the desired shape, metal was something we wanted to employ. Because metal is more tensile, stronger, and heat resistant than plastic, we also selected it. Since plastic offers superior durability at a comparatively cheap lifetime cost as compared to competing materials, we pick it because of its strength-to-weight ratio, stiffness and toughness, ductility, corrosion resistance, bio-inertness, excellent thermal insulation, and non-toxicity. Also, the filament that we had available for our 3D printers was exclusively made of plastic, so it was a no-brainer.
4. How can we produce it these materials ?
To obtain more VEX V5 components and 3D printing materials for the production of electric wheelchairs, there are several possible strategies that the engineering team could consider:
Contact suppliers and distributors: The team could reach out to VEX Robotics, the manufacturer of VEX V5 components, and inquire about bulk purchasing options or discounts for educational or non-profit organizations. Similarly, they could contact 3D printing material suppliers to see if they offer discounts or special pricing for bulk orders.
Seek funding and partnerships: The team could explore funding opportunities from grant-making organizations, government agencies, or private donors. They could also seek partnerships with organizations that share similar goals or values, such as non-profits focused on improving mobility access for people with disabilities.
Recycle and reuse materials: The team could investigate ways to recycle and reuse materials from existing electric wheelchairs that are no longer in use or are in need of repairs. This could involve salvaging functioning parts or using 3D printing materials made from recycled plastic.
Establish a supply chain: The team could work to establish a reliable and sustainable supply chain for VEX V5 components and 3D printing materials. This could involve building relationships with local suppliers or distributors, or exploring international sourcing options to find the best prices and quality.
By implementing these strategies, the engineering team could obtain the necessary VEX V5 components and 3D printing materials to produce electric wheelchairs at scale, while also minimizing costs and waste. With a reliable supply of materials, the team could focus on refining the production process and improving the quality and accessibility of their electric wheelchairs.
5. What is the most economical and efficient way to produce it?
Creating electric wheelchairs en masse can be a complex process, requiring careful planning and coordination across multiple stages of production. To ensure efficiency and quality control, manufacturers may need to implement the following strategies:
Streamline the manufacturing process: To create electric wheelchairs en masse, manufacturers should consider ways to optimize the production process. This could involve using assembly line techniques to minimize production time and reduce the potential for errors. Additionally, manufacturers may need to invest in specialized equipment or machinery that can handle high-volume production.
Use standardized components: Using standardized components can help streamline production and reduce costs. By using components that are commonly available, manufacturers can avoid the need for custom parts or modifications, which can slow down production and increase costs. Standardized components can also make it easier to replace parts and make repairs, which can be important for maintaining the longevity and usability of electric wheelchairs.
Implement quality control measures: To ensure that each electric wheelchair meets the required quality standards, manufacturers should implement rigorous quality control measures throughout the production process. This may involve conducting regular inspections and tests to identify any defects or malfunctions in the manufacturing process, as well as training staff to ensure that all products are produced to the same level of quality.
Plan for efficient logistics and distribution: Once the electric wheelchairs have been manufactured, it's important to have an efficient logistics and distribution plan in place. This could involve partnering with shipping companies to ensure that products are delivered on time and in good condition, or establishing warehouses and distribution centers in strategic locations to reduce shipping times and costs.
By implementing these strategies, manufacturers can create electric wheelchairs en masse more efficiently and effectively, allowing them to meet the growing demand for mobility devices and improve the lives of people with mobility disabilities.
Results
Automated Wheelchair #1
In this version of the prototype, we wanted to make the basic outline of the automated wheelchair. Doing this, we could get a better understanding as to how the automated wheelchair would function and if it could be applied to the wheelchair. In order to do this, we used a PVC pipe, a ton of duct tape, two steel bar, and four wheels.
We connected the motor and the wheels with the steel bars and then duct taped the motor onto the PVC pipe. Doing this allowed us to have a basic gist of how our wheelchair prototype would look like. However, we ran into some problems, this prototype couldn't be used for anything except for a design.
We couldn't code it because there wasn't a compatible place to insert the brain. Another problem was that the PVC pipe wasn't as stable as we wanted it to causing the wheels to move in a janky manner. The tape also caused some problems, as it wasn't holding the whole contraption together. However, as this was just a prototype we kept the design.
Automated Wheelchair #2
This is the first true prototype of the wheelchair. After a few hours of concept drawing, motors were attached to a frame and then secured to the wheelchair. An accelerometer was then attached to a pair of headphones to get input from the user. The wheelchair could move in 3 directions at this point -
Forward
Left
Right
The project used python to write the code, and the code in theory was correct. However, the accelerometer at this point was attached to the frame where the wheels were, meaning that the headphones and the reference accelerometer weren't aligned and did not have the center of rotation.
Automated Wheelchair #3
In our 3rd version of out Automated Wheel chair design, we changed a couple things up. We made it so the wheels on the wheel chair could move :
Forward
Left
Right
We added a touchscreen display that would tell us when the brain was calibrated to the accelerometer and the motors. We also added some extra functions to our prototype as well, for example, in all of our previous designs, the prototype was attached at the back of the wheelchair making it unable to be folded. However, we fixed that problem by changing the design of the wheelchairs prototype and attaching it to the sides of the wheelchair. Not only did this allow us to be able to fold the wheelchair, but it also allowed us to fold the prototype. This caused a huge reduction in the amount of time it took to mount the prototype onto the wheelchair and it also made it so the prototype could be easily mobile. While we had many pros of switching up the design, we also ran into some cons as well:
A little unstable
Wire management
Placement of the brain and batteries
In order to solve the instability of the prototype, we added a metal platform that was connected to the wheelchair. This helped reduce the amount of instability because the wheelchair was sturdy. In order to fix the wire management we used cable ties and placed them in the wheelchair 's sack. We also placed the batteries in the sack mainly because we had a lot of space left on the wheelchair. We solved the brain problem by adding an extension to the metal platform.
Automated Wheelchair #4
In our final version of our Automated Wheelchair, our wheelchair was able to move in any direction that the user wanted. Some of the many directions it could move are:
Forward
Backward
Left
Right
Some of the things we kept from our previous design were:
Touchscreen Display
Previous Motor Design
Motor and Brain Placement
Accelerometer
We kept our touchscreen display because it helped us understand when all the motors and accelerometers were calibrated. We also wanted to add some extra functions to our automated wheelchair in order to make it more versatile. One function we added to the wheelchair was the joystick, the joystick was made for people who had paraplegia ( people who can't move their body from leg down). When making the joystick, we added a receiver that was connect to the brain. The receiver worked to take the information from the joystick and sending it to the brain, for example, if the user moves the joystick left the receiver would get the information and tell the brain to move to the left. We also added a joystick because we realized that it would would be a hassle to leave it up all the time. In order to solve this, we made the joystick holder foldable, this made it so when the user wasn't using the joystick it would fall back down and stay that way until the user waned to use it again.
DISCUSSION
PURPOSE
The purpose of creating a wheelchair that is controlled through the movement of the head is to improve the quality of life and independence of individuals with disabilities. This project aims to provide an innovative and accessible solution for individuals who have limited mobility, enabling them to move around more easily and engage in daily activities with greater independence and autonomy. By creating this type of wheelchair, the engineering group is addressing a significant need in the disability community and contributing to the advancement of assistive technology. Additionally, this project has the potential to inspire further developments in the field of assistive technology and promote greater inclusion and accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
PROBLEMS AND SETBACKS
Problem #1
While an automated wheelchair can help disabled people move around efficiently, the user can also be a problem towards using the wheelchair in the following ways:
Lack of Training: If the user is not adequately trained on how to operate the automated wheelchair, it can lead to accidents, damage to the wheelchair, or misuse. It is essential to provide proper training to the user before allowing them to use the automated wheelchair.
Physical Limitations: Depending on the user's physical limitations, they may not be able to use the automated wheelchair effectively. For example, if the user has limited head movements, an accelerometer-based automated wheelchair may not be suitable for them.
Problem #2
One problem we faced was the movement of he user's head was not aligned with the movement of wheelchair. If the user would turn their head right, the wheelchair would become confused, wavering back and forth trying to match the center of the wheelchair with the orientation of the user's head. If the head movement is not aligned with the wheelchair movement, it can cause significant problems for the user. One of the most important aspects of a wheelchair is its maneuverability, and if the movement of the chair does not match the user's intentions, it can lead to accidents, falls, and even injuries. For example, if the user intends to turn right but the chair moves left, they may collide with a nearby object or wall.
Another problem that can arise from misaligned head movement is the user's frustration and reduced confidence in using the wheelchair. If the user cannot predict or control the movement of the wheelchair effectively, they may become discouraged or even avoid using the wheelchair altogether, which can limit their mobility and independence.
To address this problem, the engineering team may need to reevaluate the design of the wheelchair controls and the sensors that track the user's head movements. The team may need to conduct additional testing to identify the source of the misalignment and adjust the design accordingly. It is essential to ensure that the movement of the wheelchair is intuitive and closely aligned with the user's intentions to provide a safe and comfortable experience for the user.
Problem #3
Cable management can be a problem in several ways:
Aesthetics: Poor cable management can make a workspace look cluttered and disorganized. This can be unappealing to the eye and can also make it challenging to find specific cables when needed.
Safety: Cables that are not properly managed can pose a safety hazard. They can become tripping hazards or can be accidentally disconnected, leading to potential data loss or other safety hazards.
Interference: Cables that are not adequately managed can cause interference with other electronic devices, leading to poor performance or even damage to the devices.
Maintenance: Poor cable management can make it challenging to access and maintain equipment, leading to longer downtime and increased maintenance costs.
Scalability: As the number of devices and cables increases, cable management becomes more challenging. If not addressed, this can lead to a chaotic and unmanageable workspace.
In summary, cable management is essential for maintaining a safe, organized, and efficient workspace. Poor cable management can lead to aesthetic, safety, interference, maintenance, and scalability issues.
References
"Development of a Head-Mounted Wireless Interface for People with Severe Disabilities." IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering (2015). https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7069139
"Head gesture controlled power wheelchair." International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology (2014). https://www.ijirset.com/upload/2014/september/102_Head.pdf
"An intelligent wheelchair with head movement control." Robotics and Autonomous Systems (2013). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921889013001071
"Development and evaluation of an intelligent power wheelchair controlled by head movements for people with severe disabilities." Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology (2016). https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/17483107.2014.1003854
"A review of head movement controlled wheelchair technologies." Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology (2018). https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17483107.2016.1267946
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