CO:Wireless Enabled Remote Co-presence (WERC) Project/09-10 Project Planning Article

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WERC Project




Contents

Stakeholders

Sponsors

  • Group - Communications
  • Client - SymBionyx

Team members

Project update

Progress report

Our work during the 2008-2009 school year occurred in two main phases. During the first half of the year much research was put into possibilities for a new prototype. Ideas such as Asus MyPal PDA's, Apple Iphone, Nokia N810, and the Beagle processor board were considered for the transmission of audio and video from the client to either a local computer or directly to the internet. In addition, the possibilities of USB, Bluetooth, and SDIO cameras were explored. Some of this technology was obtained and tested to see if it would be feasible for our project. Through Symbionyx, MyPal PDAs were obtained from Asus for short term testing. During this time, the possibilities of using a USB or SDIO camera were explored and tested, but found to be unrealistic. Common PDAs and smartphones cannot support an external USB camera even if there is a USB port. There are two types of USB ports - host and client. Because USB cameras and PDAs both contain client USB ports, the PDA cannot receive the video from the camera. In addition, an SDIO camera at this point is unrealistic for our project because all SDIO cameras on the market mount directly on top of the PDA or other device to which they are attached. Attempts to find or make an SDIO cable to allow the camera to be attached to the clients chest while the PDA was at his or her side proved futile. Finally, a wireless bluetooth camera was purchased, which shows promise along with several difficulties. The camera's angle of view is still questionable, and may be insufficient for our project. In addition, the battery life of the camera in use is only 1.5 hours and thus must be extended. Also, a system must be set up around the bluetooth camera to also allow a microphone, headphones, and the wireless transmission of this signal. During the Spring of 2009, testing of the project was done at Hilltop Academy in Mechanicsburg, PA. Five students with AS used the original RF prototype system for two tasks created to simulate a workplace scenario. Five experienced coaches led the students through the process from the next room, through the use of the WERC remote technology. The qualitative scope of the project was to determine the desirability of the project among individuals with AS and the coaches. Surveys provided good feedback, and overall the project received two thumbs up. In addition, by observing the usage of the system, we were able to obtain some important information about which parts of the project need revision. We found first and foremost that the camera currently being used shows too small of an area to be useful to the coach. Originally selected to show people interacting with the client a few feet in front of them, the camera views too small of an area for tasks performed directly in front of the client. Since the tasks in our Spring 2009 testing were usually done while seated, the camera worn by the client showed very little, if any useful information. Secondly, the RF transmitters, while effective, did not perfectly transmit the signal, even to the nearby computer. The feedback and static that we encountered could be eliminated by a switch to transmission of the signal over WiFi internet. This may be the direction we must pursue in the future. Finally, Ade and Jason presented the project as a glimpse of the Collaboratory for the 2009 Student Scholars Expo in May. The presentation which gives additional information about the work done in 2008-2009 will be uploaded and linked here.

Status assessment

Good research and testing was put into 2008-2009 and while many things were ruled out, quality information was obtained in the process. Project testing at Hilltop Academy proved crucial to our understanding of the needs of the project, and has given us good direction as to which direction to head next.

Work needed

During the initial testing of WERCware under a near work place scenario last spring, the following problems were found:

  • We found out that our camera was of narrow angle which made it difficult for the coach to see close proximity of the client.
  • The physical placement of the camera on the client to assure that the coach sees what the client sees was also a problem during the initial testing of the prototype.
  • The video and audio qualities were not up to the expected standard and buzz sound were heard randomly while the coach was conversing with the client over the device.

This semester, our main focus will be to solve most of these problems and the testing of the upgraded version will come up with by the end of the semester. We will work to procure a better camera with auto focus which will refocus itself depending of the closeness of a nearby object. This will give the coach a better view of the client’s surroundings. We will develop a physical mounting layout that will ensure that the coach sees what the client sees. In addition, any improvements to the transmission of the signal that can be made will be important. Finally, we will test the finished product on client in an actual work case scenario.

Annual plan

Methods and deliverables

In the fall of 2009, our main focus will be to work with LAM Systems Inc, a local computer manufacturing company, to develop a black box system in order to streamline the audio/video transmission process. The black box will replace the base station in our current design. Our work will be primarily the adaptation and testing of this black box to be sure that it achieves the appropriate task for our project. In addition, a team will be assembled for the computer interfacing portion of the project, headed by Nicole Steiner and Dr. Owen. The spring of 2010 we will be focused on further testing of the system in a working environment. Two grant proposals have been submitted to extend our research into the desirability and/or efficacy of the system in a workplace scenario. Rather than the fabricated work scenario that we used last year at Hilltop Academy, this testing will be done at an actual workplace with tasks given by an actual employer. The computer interfacing team will work on the video streaming website. Towards the end of the year, we will prepare a complete project presentation for the Student Scholars' Expo in May. This Senior presentation will give a full summary of the work on the project along with insight into the future direction of the group.

Time line

September- Meeting with Symbionyx and LAM to nail down the plan and goals for the year. October- Research into possible directions for design. November- Technical Testing and application of LAM's black box solution December- Continued testing to be sure that system works and any modification necessary January- Continued modification and testing of technical system February- Preparation for project testing at work site; Continued research and application of solutions March- Project Testing in workplace scenario April- Analyze results from project testing May- Prepare for Student Scholars' Expo

Personnel

Students:

  • Adelani Osunsakin
  • Jason Shortall
  • Nicole Steiner
  • Darrin Kriebel
  • Chad Yoder
  • Caitlin Listor
  • Brandyn Powers

Faculty:

  • Dr. Harold Underwood
  • Dr. Nancy Patrick
  • Dr. David Owen

Facilities

  • Communications Group Office - Frey 253
  • Frey 266
  • Some lab/project space including one or two internet-connected computers *SymBionyx workspace (as needed)
  • IU training space (as needed)

Housekeeping

  • Have you updated your project article? -
  • Have you updated project photographs on the cumulus database? -

Budget


For more information about this template, please read Help:Project planning article and Help:Template.

Approved on 2009 11-03

Leaders Committee: 2009 11-03
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