SmartStep
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SmartStep is a smart shoe designed for older adults with mobility issues that allows them to be alerted in real time of obstacles and hazards in their path. SmartStep began as a project for the LeadingAge 2017 HackFest that paired students with older adults from nearby retirement communities with the goal of designing a product that could improve the lives of older adults. Our team consisted of myself and an Olin software engineering student, a graduate architecture student at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, a couple from Lasell Village in Auburndale, MA, and the director of resident programming at Lasell Village
Over the course of eight hours, our team created a working prototype of a shoe that used an ultrasonic sensor to alert the wearer of obstacles it detected by vibrating the sole of the shoe. The first prototype was somewhat messy with lots of wires coming out of the back of the shoe connected to a nearby computer. Nevertheless, the hackathon judges recognized our product's potential and awarded us the grand prize of $2500 and an invitation to present at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA. |
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In the following months, our team met several times at Olin to put together a more refined prototype—one that actually looked like a standalone shoe. We incorporated the Arduino and a battery power source into the sole of the shoe and that connected to the front-facing ultrasonic sensor, an LED indicator light, and a small vibration motor. Our research showed us that most—but not all—older adults maintain some sensitivity under the arch of their toes, and our vibration motor casing could double as a cushion to combat hammertoe.
In theory, the concept is somewhat simple. A front-facing ultrasonic sensor receives a returning signal when its pulse has bounced off of an object in its path, which signals the vibration motor to alert the user. If there is no obstacle within range, then there is no response. We quickly learned in our process that making a proof-of-concept prototype for demonstration purposes wasn't the most difficult part. We needed to figure out how to combat the other technical issues of detecting a ledge, detecting when a user is climbing stairs, or calibrating the device to the user's individualized gait.
I was incredibly fortunate to be able to continue working on SmartStep for my Quantitative Engineering Analysis (QEA) class, as it fit in perfectly with a unit we were doing on wearable sensors and data processing. Another friend and I soon realized that ledge detection with an ultrasonic sensor was impossible—as the sensor can only bounce its pulse off at the same angle it hits the
obstacle—and so we decided to take a slightly different approach. Over the course of the two-week module, we developed an algorithm that could utilize data from an accelerometer unit and detect when the wearer was shuffling their feet. Older adults who shuffle their feet are at a much higher risk for tripping and falling, so if we can alert the users of this behavior, we can improve their mobility even more. We also imagined the possibility of a SmartStep companion app that could connect to the shoes—in the event of a fall, detected by a sudden acceleration downward, the phone could automatically call for help.
With our new prototype and shuffle-detecting algorithm ready for demonstration, our team flew down to New Orleans around Halloween of 2017 courtesy of LeadingAge to present at their expo. We presented on stage in front of around 7,000 people and were a featured group in the event's Startup Garage. In addition, we were also given the opportunity to pitch our product to the "Idea Sharks" who could give us up to $250 on the spot if they liked what they heard. That afternoon, we walked away with $250 that we would use to help further develop SmartStep.
As the group's main presenter, I was able to sharpen my skills of speaking in front of large crowds, explaining the technical aspects of what I made, and networking with other industry professionals. Despite losing one of our team members to college graduation, we fully intend to pursue SmartStep further and make it the best it can be. We anticipate we will still need to do a lot of research, development, and market analysis before it becomes a viable consumer product, but we believe we can make it there. We're currently in the process of filing for a provisional patent for the technology. SmartStep has helped me realize the value of the codesign process, and that I want the engineering work I do in the future to make a difference in the lives of others.
To learn more about the technology used in SmartStep, visit the SmartStep website.
Check out the videos below of SmartStep presenting at the 2017 LeadingAge Annual Meeting.
In theory, the concept is somewhat simple. A front-facing ultrasonic sensor receives a returning signal when its pulse has bounced off of an object in its path, which signals the vibration motor to alert the user. If there is no obstacle within range, then there is no response. We quickly learned in our process that making a proof-of-concept prototype for demonstration purposes wasn't the most difficult part. We needed to figure out how to combat the other technical issues of detecting a ledge, detecting when a user is climbing stairs, or calibrating the device to the user's individualized gait.
I was incredibly fortunate to be able to continue working on SmartStep for my Quantitative Engineering Analysis (QEA) class, as it fit in perfectly with a unit we were doing on wearable sensors and data processing. Another friend and I soon realized that ledge detection with an ultrasonic sensor was impossible—as the sensor can only bounce its pulse off at the same angle it hits the
obstacle—and so we decided to take a slightly different approach. Over the course of the two-week module, we developed an algorithm that could utilize data from an accelerometer unit and detect when the wearer was shuffling their feet. Older adults who shuffle their feet are at a much higher risk for tripping and falling, so if we can alert the users of this behavior, we can improve their mobility even more. We also imagined the possibility of a SmartStep companion app that could connect to the shoes—in the event of a fall, detected by a sudden acceleration downward, the phone could automatically call for help.
With our new prototype and shuffle-detecting algorithm ready for demonstration, our team flew down to New Orleans around Halloween of 2017 courtesy of LeadingAge to present at their expo. We presented on stage in front of around 7,000 people and were a featured group in the event's Startup Garage. In addition, we were also given the opportunity to pitch our product to the "Idea Sharks" who could give us up to $250 on the spot if they liked what they heard. That afternoon, we walked away with $250 that we would use to help further develop SmartStep.
As the group's main presenter, I was able to sharpen my skills of speaking in front of large crowds, explaining the technical aspects of what I made, and networking with other industry professionals. Despite losing one of our team members to college graduation, we fully intend to pursue SmartStep further and make it the best it can be. We anticipate we will still need to do a lot of research, development, and market analysis before it becomes a viable consumer product, but we believe we can make it there. We're currently in the process of filing for a provisional patent for the technology. SmartStep has helped me realize the value of the codesign process, and that I want the engineering work I do in the future to make a difference in the lives of others.
To learn more about the technology used in SmartStep, visit the SmartStep website.
Check out the videos below of SmartStep presenting at the 2017 LeadingAge Annual Meeting.
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