adynamo

Monday 28 March 2011

Haptic presentation

I have just sent to each of you the structure for the presentation.
As ussual, I am asking for feedback and suggestions for things to say and slides to add, if any.

I hope you have all read on Oasis the indications for the coursework. In case, someone hasn’t I would like to point out some important things.


First of all, our technology should:

· Facilitate haptic computer interaction (optical and/or mechanical)

· Allow the visually impaired user to explore a map (e.g. using google maps, or website with travel instructions of desired location) on a PC using haptic assistance (optical and/or mechanical),

· Plan trip on the PC using for example haptic effects to aid learning of route features

· Include a haptic mobility device/technology to guide the user through the street to the final destination”


Are those who should be working on the planning part thinking of haptic interactions?

I think it would be difficult to use a walking cane to explore a map on a PC, therefore the idea of the added layer make sense (those who don’t know what I am talking about should ask for information immediately, tomorrow is too late).

For the presentation:

· Group presentations

· A final conceptual description of your solution including a rationale. (The prototype should describe in detail how devices will operate, interface/control designs for the user, and how it works in the environment)

· Graphically presented scenarios demonstrating your solution

· A self assessment of your design and future extensions

Is anyone thinking of scenarios?

For the report:

· Group report

Up to ten pages report (plus appendix) containing the following:

· Abstract – summarise the contents of the report (max 300 words)

· Introduction – introduce the reader to the topic providing references when describing someone else’s work.

· Description of the core concept – describe the scenario and what is the purpose of the system.

· User requirements - who are your intended users and their requirements for this system.

· Design principles – what are the design principles that you will apply to this system?

· Creation of the prototype, in this case the iterative design or an electronic prototype (reiteration of processes to refine your product realisation)

· Implementation plan - What software and hardware will your device use and why? What you would need to do to move from a concept to a product? Write out your plan.

· Conclusion - What can you conclude from your work? What can you learn from this assignment? This should be at least two paragraphs.

Appendix – any design detail, sketches etc. In the case of electronic prototypes (powerpoint presentations, powercursor etc) please include these on a CD.


The report will be handed in later in April BUT you have to start working on it from now, at least taking notes on what to write.


Andrea

Thursday 24 March 2011

Any Comments?

Hi guys,
Visited the link I sent yet on using GPS? I think it would greatly help with our planning and navigation.

Ideas are brewing already...

See you all Friday!


Monday 21 March 2011

My Idea.


A muliti functional walking stick.
Planning:
1) The postcode is read out to the tip of the walking stick.

2) the stick records the route information (using a typical sat nav route technology)

3) The route information is read out to to the user (expalinig details of the journey such as highways, traffic,footpaths etc.).

Navigation:
4) A button is push when the user wants to begin the jouney.

5) The stick calculates and measures the distances (what has been covered against what is left. Also put into account the turns and corners in the journey) and guides the user accordingly, while also avoiding obstacles along the route. The walking stick will have features similar to the Haptic touch and more.

It will be programmed to recognize basic surface texture which will be illustrated using some power cursor effects.

The idea will be discussed further tomorrow. At the meeting.

Idea 2: will be presented tomorrow, also at the meeting.

Friday 18 March 2011

A schedule for the Haptic project

Here is the proposed schedule.
As always, if you don't agree with it just say it.
If we all agree on it, let's try the excitement to follow it for once.


From Sat 19 to Mon 21 propose ideas and comment on others' ideas

Tue 22 -at 2PM we will have a brief meeting on what is the design to work on and how to divide the work (probably we can form two subgroups, one working on the input part and the other on the output)

Fri 25 - will put everything together and ask Bob some feedback

from Sat 26 to Mon 28 finalise the project

Tue 29 -at 2PM we will have a brief meeting on how to finalise the project for the presentation
Please note that I don't want to wait the last hours of the last days to prepare the PowerPoints slides, therefore I need to know by Tuesday what to put in it

Wed 30 - rehearsal for the presentation

Fri 1 april - Presentation

I stop here, although there is the second part of the CW, the Report. For it, for the moment my only suggestion is to take note of your work while you are doing it, so to be able to write something in due time

Wednesday 16 March 2011

Dear Sima, Dear Dammy,

Dear Sima, Dear Dammy,

for our report we need to present some scenarios.
I have sent you some time ago the possible scenarios.
It is suggested that they be presented in a graphical form.
Bob suggested in the lab to use some pictures, with "actors" pretending to use the device.
If you prefer to draw sketches, use diagrams or download photographs from the net and adjusting them with Photoshop it's the same for me.
Do what you think will be more appropriate to illustrate the scenarios.
I suggested you to work together, so that you can share the efforts but I don't care who does the job: the important thing is that I have by tomorrow at 7pm everything done.

At this point, let me ask both of you a couple of questions (and apologies if I may sound curt, but I'm a bit tired):
Is it clear what scenarios are?
Is it clear what you need to do?
Do you think you will do that? (I'm not asking you if you can do it, because I am sure you are able to do it)

If I don't receive the material by tomorrow at 7pm, I will be forced to create the scenarios myself.
I will do it, but don't think to put your names on the report.

Andrea

Friday 11 March 2011

Where is the report?

Guys,
I have not received materials from all of you, and it's already Friday.

When we agree on a schedule we are committing to it.
If you are having problems, you should at least get in touch to explain what problems there are and, in case, ask for help.

I am particularly worried for the Scenarios, because, as far as I know, Dammy and Sima haven't met to work on them. That's the part that should be graphically described, that means pictures or sketches and captions.

Deadline is Monday, but I don't want to wait until then.
We need the scenarios-and the other parts I haven't yet received- by TONIGHT, Friday.

We'll talk in -or after- the lab.
Andrea

Sunday 6 March 2011

Writing the REPORT

Report of the Reminding Assisistive Technology project

Here is the structure for the report (check your email for more details).

Suggestions welcomed, as usual, and if you want to add to others’ parts, you are welcomed to that too.

Next Tuesday there will be a brief meeting (from 2 to 2.30) to clear up doubts, but PLEASE start writing.

By Thursday all contribution need to be sent to the person indicated to collect them (we will name him/her on Tuesday)


  1. Abstract – ANDREA
  2. Introduction – SAYNU

(Assistive technology, Alzheimer’s, memory loss, taking medicine, current solutions)

2.Description of our device:

a. how it looks (technical details) – DAMMY

b. How to interact with it - DAMMY

3.Our Persona - SIMA

4.Scenarios (description with pictures) – SIMA and DAMMY

5.Description of how it works: - OLAMIDE

a. Interface

b. How to program it

6.Assessment of the prototype: - ANDREA

a. Preventing errors

b. its feasibility

c. future enhancements

7.Conclusion –Up for grabs

Friday 4 March 2011

Our Report

For our Report you can start writing on the part you have delivered in the presentation, therefore:

SAYNU will write an introduction to Assisted Living and to Alzheimer's;

SIMA - description of our persona and her specific problem (memory loss, in particular taking medicine); Scenarios;

DAMMY- on how the dispenser works and in doing so you need to represent scenarios graphically, along with SIMA (that means taking pictures or doing drawings or sketches)

OLAMIDE- How the interface works and how it can be programmed (we need a description step by step here)

ANDREA- The assessment of the design and future extension


We can/must ask for help to the others, but each one is responsible for his/her part.
And if you need help, don't wait the day before for asking it, I don't want to stay up until 1 again.

My proposed schedule:
Meeting on Tuesday, after Bob's lecture to see if there are problems; scenarios should be planned by Tuesday, so that pictures -or sketches- can be ready by Thursday.

I think it's better if one person collects all the material and adjusts the final version, so that it is an organic work (it could be me, it could be Olamide, or anyone else volunteering), but to do so we need to leave him/her some time, therefore by Thursday night all material should be sent to the person(s).

As usual, if you have a different proposal say so, otherwise by Saturday midday we will assume this is agreed.

Andrea

Wednesday 2 March 2011

Presentation

Not everyone has picked up a part, but here is how we can divide the presentation

Introduction -Saynu
Persona -Andrea or Sima
Description I - Dammy
Description II- Olamide
Conclusion - Andrea or Sima

Send me the slides for your part, when you have them
Sima, please let me knonw which part you prefer.

Thursday we will meet to rehearse, please confirm you are free and will be there (I think 1pm is better than 12pm, let me know; the place is the same: H109)

Andrea

Tuesday 1 March 2011

For the presentation - updated

Hi everyone, here's what we need for the presentation/report.

I have broken down the presentation in 5 parts and each of us will be responsible for one, including the slides (I can collect them and prepare the final presentation, if you want, but please send them to be in time).
At the end of the post I have listed our names, just add the number of your part.

Of course I think that we should all contribute to others' parts with idea and suggestions, so don't hesitate to ask for others' opinion.

Duration for each part should be 3 minutes, but I think the part with the description could take a bit longer (that's why the rehearsal has been scheduled).

I also think that people doing part3 and 4 can work together.


1) Introduction.
What is Assisted Living and Assisted Living for our case (examples for dementia)
Description of Assisted Living with examples (pictures, if any)
Assisted Living for dementia (pictures, if any)

2) Our Persona -description and The specific problem for our persona (current solutions)
Scenarios (optional)
Description of our Persona: personal details, the condition of her illness (this is to understand who are the targeted users), description of the specific problem we are tackling and current solutions for this problem.
[OPTIONAL: possible scenarios]

3) Description of our device (what it does and how it looks)
Description with pictures of how it looks and what it does (here we need a series of pictures or flow charts to explain the possible course of action)

4) Description of how it works (how it is refilled, programmed, activated, deactivated...)
Description with pictures of: how it is refilled; how it can be programmed and by who; how can be activated and more in general the interface and interaction

5) Conclusion (why it is important and its feasibility)
Description of what makes the device a good solution; what it does more than other similar devices; how can be improved; what issues remain.


On Tuesday we will divide the presentation, so that each one will have one part to deliver and to write on.
Saynu -
Olamide -
Dammy -
Andrea -
Sima -


On Thursday we will meet to rehearse the presentation, let's say around 12 in H109.

Although the report is due on Monday week 20, therefore there is one more week after the presentation, I'd suggest to start writing it so that the material can be used for the presentation.

Andrea