Mentor: Geotrooper team member
Overview:
Geotrooper, one of the projects that the Sketch Recognition Lab is working on, is a navigation aid built to direct Soldiers to their assembly areas or equipment that is dropped out of an aircraft. The Soldiers, called paratroopers, usually jump out of the aircraft into enemy-occupied zones in pitch dark conditions. Prior to the Geotrooper system, paratroopers marked assembly points with the use of different flags attached to telescoping poles known as Stiner aids. Stiner aids are cumbersome and require that a Soldier hold them at all times so that they are visible to other team members. The existing solution that the Sketch Recognition Lab developed uses the Android device with a GPS, touch screen and display screen to direct the Soldiers. The brightness of the display is a cause of concern in the current solution. Any source of light from the Soldier would spell danger to his life since it would give away his location. We, in our lab, are searching for a solution that would replace the display. Replacing the display would cause two problems - it removes the touch screen (mode of input) and the display itself (mode of output). The requirement for this project is to solve the first need- find a mode of input for the Soldier to interact with that connects to the Android device. Why a fabric-based mode of input? One, the Soldiers themselves are in rough conditions and two, ruggedizing any standard input device would increase the load on the Soldier. (Note: A ordinary paratrooper carries around 200lbs of equipments, supplies and ammunition). Given these constraints, any input device designed with a fabric would be both lightweight and capable of handling the harsh environment. Light emission would also be greatly reduced, if not completely negated, with the use of a wearable interface.
This project consists of two main parts. First, the team will recreate the wrist-mounted keyboard that Dr. Hammond discussed in lecture. This will provide the team with a solid foundation in the use of conductive thread, the Teensy, and its software. Dr. Hammond can provide you with guidance as to how the wrist-mounted keyboard should function. Second, the team will create a fabric device that can connect to an Android phone. This connection will be achieved through the use of Bluetooth.This new device should afford both inputting information and (eventually) gathering output as to the direction a paratrooper is to travel in order to reach their assembly area. Variations on this project must be approved by Dr. Hammond.
Problem Statement:
Construct a fabric-based interface that can connect to an Android phone via Bluetooth. The wearer should be able to input information and receive information that is output from an Android phone.
The team proposal should address:
- How will you address the issue of light pollution in your design?
- How will you provide feedback to the wearer?
- What information will the wearer be able to transmit to the Android device?
- How will you prevent the fabric-based device from being used by unfriendly persons?