This week I focused on finding and comparing different sensors to buy for our glove. I found flex sensors from two vendors (Sparkfun and Adafruit), however the sensor itself was from the same manufacturer (SpectraSymbol). The flex sensors also came in a short size (2.5″) and a long size (4.4″). After discussion, our team decided that we should purchase the long sensors for all fingers. I also found four different IMUs. Two of them would already be installed onto a PCB while the other two would require us to put them on a PCB ourselves. I looked at what kind of data each IMU outputs and we are leaning towards purchasing the IMUs which are already installed on a PCB as that would streamline our construction of the glove.
During our mandatory labs, we discussed the scope of our project and pared down a lot of the requirements. Instead of recognizing the entire alphabet, we are now aiming to recognize five gestures. We also pared down the design for the glove. To account for time, we decided not to make the glove wireless. A wireless feature would increase the complexity of data transmission and analysis. I updated our system sketch to account for this change.
I have also enrolled in 18-021 to learn how to fabricate a PCB because we plan to build one in order to keep the wires on the glove minimal.
In the upcoming week, we plan to order the parts to build the glove. We are on schedule if we order and receive the parts within the next week. To stay on schedule we may need to expedite shipping.