This week, I spend a majority of the time working on the Design Report. We further fleshed out in detail the decisions we were making, such as the battery we chose to select as well as the hardware implementation and data calculations we would need to do in order to successfully implement the project.
Next week, I plan to play around some more with my Arduino UNO, and get the basic Arduino code setup done to test the sensors. We are doing all of our data calculations in a python program, so I will also attempt to create a slower Arduino version of those calculation to ease the workload of my group members.
Songting’s Status Report for 10/11
This week, I continued my work on the Unity Engine. I successfully implemented a prototype of our physics model using Unity C#. In the prototype, I created a simple disk based on my modeling. The disk accepts various parameters, such as launching velocity and angles, which will be calculated in our Data Processing Unit. I also contributed to the design report and finalized several technical components.
I believe I am on track to achieve my goal. I am making significant progress on the Unity game. Next week, I will continue to work on improving the physics model. Additionally, I plan to create a better frisbee model, as the current one is just a flat cylinder, and I will work on integrating the physics model with it.
Design Review Report
Team Status Report for 10/4
This week, we spent a lot of time working on our design presentation. We fleshed out both our hardware and software implementations, and specified our Gantt chart in more detail. We are currently on track with our schedule.
This week, we added a software step in our software implementation that included syncing all our data, as we realized that the multiple sources of inputs (webcam, Arduino Nano) would potentially cause out of sync data. This should be relatively simple to implement, since all of the hardware has this capability of sending timestamped data.
In the case that this does not work, we will try assuming data sync, since there is already low latency with both the camera and the sensors. If that does not work, we will try sending the webcam data to the Arduino Nano/RPi to sync the data all together.
This next week, we are planning to work on the design report, and once we receive our critiques, order our hardware sensors.
Frances’ Status Report for 10/4
This week, I worked on the design presentation and specifically focused on the hardware implementation solution plan. I continued my research on the ideal parts, and started tinkering with my personal Arduino UNO. I also picked up the RPi we will be using, so in the following week, I plan to set up the wifi communication between the two of them to get some baseline wifi latency measurements. This next week, I also plan to spend a lot of time writing our design document. Once we have the feedback from our design presentation, I will go ahead and order the important sensors for our project.
Alex’s Status Report for 10/4/2025
During the course of this week I worked on the design presentation and specifically focused on the parts we are using and the gantt chart. Additionally, I looked into open pose a little bit more and we started looking at an arduino uno as we are planning on using the arduino nano for our project.
This upcoming week I am hoping to order all of the parts we need for the project after hearing the feedback from the design presentation. Additionally, I hope to start writing some arduino code that can send data to the RPi to set up the integration for further testing.
Songting’s Status Report for 10/4
This week, I have been focused on preparing the design presentation, gathering feedback from other teams, and reflecting on our design plan. The questions raised during the presentation were very helpful, particularly regarding how we will integrate all the sensors into the Frisbee. Additionally, I continued working on the Unity game, where I am concentrating on integrating the physics model to simulate the Frisbee’s trajectory.
I believe we are on track with our work schedule. Next week, we will finalize the parts list and place our order. I also plan to explore the OpenPose project. My goal is to get it up and running and examine the data it will output.
Team Status Report for 9/27/2025
This week our team decided on which sensors we believe will be the best fit for our project. We have not yet purchased them as we are hoping to receive feedback on our design during the design presentation this week. Additionally, we found a pre-existing frisbee physics model that we are hoping to test out and decide if it will make sense to use with the project.
During this week we decided to try and use open pose to decide where the frisbee is thrown in relation to the person. This will have no negative impacts on our project yet as we are not too far into it.
A was written by Frances, B was written by Michael and C was written by Alex.
A. The Whee! Frisbee game directly contributes to public health by promoting both physical and psychological well-being. By requiring players to simulate throwing a real Frisbee, the game encourages physical activity that supports health and overall fitness. While many students face academic pressure and lack opportunities to exercise in large outdoor spaces, this game provides an excellent opportunity for them to exercise indoors. Additionally, the game’s interactive design and engaging in-game maps foster enjoyment and stress relief, which are important for maintaining mental health. By combining exercise with entertainment, the solution offers a comprehensive contribution to public health, improving both physiological and psychological well-being.
B. Oftentimes, many people use a competitive setting to bond and relate to each other. Many sports teams or sports fans are socially connected, and this is due to a mutual love and appreciation around a single team’s wellbeing, or love of the game. In the case of inclement weather, or reduced access to spaces, or even a lack of numbers, our project, Whee! Frisbee, can be used to bond and unite those with a love of disc sports. Not only that, but Whee! Frisbee can also allow users with limited athletic capabilities to still participate in the competitive nature of a sports game. Because the actual throw is simulated, the user does not need to be physically fit and able to throw a frisbee, however they are still getting the immersive experience of playing disc sports through the physical mechanics of simulating a throw. Our hope is that through Whee! Frisbee, those with an interest in disc sports will have more ways to connect with each other, and those who are interested but have limited resources may still maintain their social connection to the community
C. Within our Whee! Frisbee game, economic factors played only a minor role in our project. We had to decide how to allocate our $600 budget effectively, but beyond that, economic considerations were limited. However, if this product were to be mass-produced, it would likely be expensive for consumers since the controller alone costs over $50 to manufacture, and the computer/Raspberry Pi adds additional costs. A more practical approach might be for a frisbee coach to purchase one device for team use, allowing multiple players to practice on it at different times, or for it to be offered as an attraction at a frisbee simulator venue.
Alex’s Status Report for 9/27/2025
During the course of this week I was able to work on deciding on which sensors we are going to use for the project. I ensured that each of the sensors can use the same communication protocol that way the microcontroller on the frisbee can connect to both easily. Additionally, I made sure that they each have a voltage that can be created using the Arduino Nano. Another task I worked on was creating some of the slides for the design presentation for this week. These included making the new gantt chart that is more detailed week to week.
I believe we are on schedule this week and will purchase the sensors this week once we receive feedback during the design presentation. That way we will be prepared to test next week before we go into the integration process.
Next week I hope we purchase the sensors and I hope to understand OpenPose and how we can implement it into the project.
Songting’s Status Report for 9/27
This week, I focused on exploring a viable physics model for Frisbee and disc games. I reviewed several academic papers on these models and attempted to implement one particular model (https://web.mit.edu/womens-ult/www/smite/frisbee_physics.pdf) using C# in the Unity Engine. There is still much that needs to be fine-tuned, as the mathematical model must align with the Unity Engine’s physics model and the shape of the Frisbee. However, I believe this is definitely a good start.
Additionally, I have been working on the design presentation and preparing for it. I put a lot of thought into the block diagram and our detailed implementation methods, which have been very helpful for planning the entire project.
Overall, I feel that I am on track this week. My goal is to complete the presentation by next week, receive feedback, and develop a concrete and comprehensive implementation plan. After the design presentation, I believe we will have enough information to order the necessary parts.