College - Author 1

College of Engineering

Department - Author 1

Biomedical and General Engineering Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Biomedical Engineering

Date

6-2013

Primary Advisor

Lily Laiho

Abstract/Summary

Quality Life Plus is working with Team River Runner to develop an assistive guidance system for veterans who want to remain active by kayaking, after sustaining an injury that impairs vision. This system allows these veterans to complete a slalom speed race independent of a personal guide in the water. The system incorporates 3 stations that each contain a speaker connected to a microcontroller system covered by a Pelican Case on a custom made buoy. During the slalom race, a kayaker will travel from shore towards buoy #1 as it omits sound from the speaker. As the kayaker moves around the first buoy, the proximity sensor will tell the microcontroller to turn off the music at buoy #1 and turn on music at buoy #2, providing auditory guidance for the visually impaired participant. This process continues for subsequent buoys until the kayaker has passed the last buoy and no more music is played, indicating the end of the race. The system provides an outlet for visually impaired people to remain active while establishing camaraderie among kayakers.

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