What are the most significant risks that could jeopardize the success of the project? How are these risks being managed? What contingency plans are ready?
The most significant risk is currently the integration between the sensors and the browser extension. Specifically, sending signals to and from the extension to the sensors, and this updating the workings of both accordingly. These risks are being managed by working on this integration early – the local hosted server is already set up and the requests to / from the sensors to the server have already been implemented. We plan on working this week on integration, and dealing with any challenges as they come up, specifically being able to pivot from the Node.js which we are currently using to flask if needed to ensure the integration works.
Were any changes made to the existing design of the system (requirements, block diagram, system spec, etc)? Why was this change necessary, what costs does the change incur, and how will these costs be mitigated going forward?
A change was made to how the sensors are interacting with the RPi. Due to a discrepancy found between the datasheet and the ADC parts, we found that we could not use 4 adcs are originally intended. Instead, we are using a 16:1 MUX and a singular adc, and selecting which input from the mux to read, then forwarding that to the ADC and then the Pi. This did not incur any costs, as one of the team members was able to scavenge this mux and therefore we did not need to order anything.
Provide an updated schedule if changes have occurred.
As of right now, no schedule changes are needed.
Part A was written by Kaitlyn:
With consideration of global factors, StrainLess can impact people outside of Pittsburgh. Since the product can be easily reproduced, it can be used around the globe, not only at CMU. Anyone with access to Chrome is able to download our extension, and making / potentially buying the pressure mat which comes along with it is feasible. Even with people who are not technologically savvy, after having installed the browser extension they will have a very friendly user interface with charts and graphics which are easily understandable. As well, people who are not in an academic environment can still use our product, as it is meant for anyone who spends time at a desk – this could be office workers, gamers, or people who work from home.
Part B was written by Cora :
StrainLess will support the 9-5 work culture that exists in the United States by improving the quality of life of those who work at a desk. Being hard-working and self-sufficient are core beliefs held by people from the United States that many people feel define who they are and StrainLess will be conducive to this way of thinking by reducing the pain of these people that they likely feel they just need to deal with as part of their lives. StrainLess’s UI will be in English, but with intuitive controls and notifications so even if people do not speak English if they have a good idea of what the product does, they will still be able to use it. Regarding laws, StrainLess does not break any laws and in fact could improve workplace safety if implemented in an office setting.
Part C was written by Lilly:
The main environmental goal that StrainLess supports is waste reduction by not having disposable parts in our final user product. While we also are designing our wearable parts to use low power, this is more for safety and functionality than environmental considerations since the magnitudes/scales for microcontroller power consumptions overall are very small. But, we have avoided the use of any disposable components in our product by using rechargeable batteries instead of single-use ones, making sure to include a charging port on the microcontroller board so the user does not have to acquire more materials to charge. All other components are powered by a wall/outlet supply or are just run on the user’s computer’s battery so they would not require any disposable power supplies either. Although LiPo battery recycling exists, it’s not available everywhere, and reduction of resource consumption in the first place tends to be more sustainable than recycling since the recycling process in itself is imperfect and takes up a lot of energy anyway. This reduces our product’s (negative) environmental impact by not requiring the user to have to dispose of batteries, which can be very toxic to the environment if done haphazardly.