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This is a website was created by Angela G and is dedicated to the Running Vision project created by Alexander C, Angela G, and Aditi K. This was entered in the Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology Championship in 2009 and received an award in the Engineering category.
 

A. Problem Being Addressed
 
The goal is to solve the problem of visually impaired people not being able to jog freely because of undetectable obstructions in the way.
 
B. Engineering Goal Statement
 
The design and construction of an apparatus for visually impaired people in order to freely jog without hitting any obstructions. The user wears the apparatus, which helps the user run safely in certain environments. The design of the apparatus is such that its presence on the user is negligible, but informs the user of obstructions in the way.

 
C. Functionality
 
When an object is in detectable proximity with the user's line of view, the apparatus beeps to inform the user of an obstruction in the user's path. The frequency of the beeps determines the urgency of the situation. The urgency is determined by the distance of the user from the object and the user's velocity. The user is able to adjust his or her running pace according to the urgency determined by the apparatus. An alternative design is one where an electronic voice is used to direct the user instead of beeps. The voice will tell the user how far the object is and whether or not the user should slow down.

D. Criteria and Constraints

• Apparatus can detect normal-sized objects that are usually found during jogs, such as trash cans, mail boxes, fire hydrants, poles, etc.

• Objects have dimensions of at least 1 m high above the ground and 30 cm wide.
• Apparatus must be lightweight (< 250 g) so that it will not affect the running abilities of the user.
• Apparatus contains sonar to detect distances of up to 5 m.
• Contains a speaker to emit beeps to warn the user (alternatively, contains a voice chip).
• User runs under normal weather and conditions on a relatively flat running surface.

E. Equipment

The following items are needed in order to build the apparatus.

• Speaker (preferably a piezospeaker)
• Text-to-speech voice chip
• Sonar
• Objects with sizes ranging from 10 cubic cm to 2 cubic m
• Breadboard
• 9 V batteries
• Computer with programming compiler installed

F. Procedure

1. Gather all the equipment needed to construct the apparatus, including but not limited to sonar, speaker, and processors.

2. Test the sonar alone to see the range, effectiveness, and ability to detect both massive and small objects. Change the type of sonar used if needed.

3. Test sonar under the condition in which the user jogs slowly. Determine how quickly the sonar reacts to changes in distances between user and objects.

4. Adjust coding so sonar is able to detect objects of all types, both moving and non-moving.

5. Gather data on stopping distances for an average jogging pace, and human reaction time to beeps.

6. After sonar is determined to be working, add speaker to the apparatus. Program speaker so it functions together with the sonar.

7. Program speaker to beep according to the distance detected by the sonar. Vary the frequencies and pitch (if possible) of the beeps according to the data gathered.

8. Retest apparatus using both speaker and sonar together to determine effectiveness, and adjust frequency and pitch of beeps if needed.

9. Get feedback from test users and modify apparatus to meet the needs.

10. If possible, connect a voice chip to the apparatus that will tell the user how far they are instead of emitting beeps.

11. Make it possible for the user to choose between one of the two options of either beeps or a voice.

12. Reduce size of apparatus to make it more usable, and make it into a practical device.

G. Roles and Responsibilities
 
Alexander C. programs the apparatus and is the main researcher. He does part of the design of the apparatus as well as prepares the materials involved in building the device. He is the one who coordinates the testing.
 
Angela G. is the leader of the group, and coordinates the meetings in which the project is discussed. She is the main programmer and is responsible for writing the code for the apparatus. She also does some of the testing.
 
Aditi K. is responsible for researching the materials and communicating with the mentor. She is in charge of the design as well as the background research for the apparatus.

Parallax Inc. 2008. Robotics with the Boe-Bot. Pages 106-111.

http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/prod/acc/28015-PING-v1.5.pdf, PING)))TM Ultrasonic Distance Sensor, Parallax Inc., 15 January 2009.

http://www.phy.mtu.edu/~suits/notefreqs.html, Frequencies for Equal-Tempered Scale, Michigan Technological University, 17 January 2009.

http://www.dosits.org/science/ssea/1a.htm, What is Sonar?, University of Rhode Island, 17 January 2009.