Team Weekly Update | 4/12
Accomplishments
This week we focused on finalizing the next round of hardware updates and planning our verification and validation testing. A big part of this was discussing and iterating on a new sensor housing design. Rita began working on a redesigned enclosure that features custom hinges, which will make sensor mounting more stable while still allowing access for rewiring and repairs. This design is being prepared for 3D printing and will be integrated with the new 16-sensor setup.
As part of expanding the system to include more force sensors, we also updated our calibration approach. The additional sensors led to the decision to include another calibration pose that captures correct posture more clearly. We also added weights to the calibration process to better anchor the sensor values and increase the difference between poses.
Progress Status
The expanded sensor array is now working, and BLE and app communication remain stable. Final mounting and housing integration are still in progress. Once complete, we’ll be able to move into full-system testing and begin collecting meaningful data for validation. Coordination between hardware, firmware, and app-side components is going well.
Next Steps
– Print and install the new hinged housing
– Mount the full 16-sensor array on the bike
– Update the app for new calibration flow
– Begin full calibration and live data testing
– Run camera comparisons (Pi vs. USB webcam) for final imaging choice
Validation Plan
Now that major parts of the system are built, we’re moving into verification and validation. Below is our current plan:
– sensor accuracy testing: we will verify that all 16 sensors return distinct, stable values across multiple calibration poses. We’ll review raw output to confirm signal strength and consistency.
– pose differentiation: we’ll check whether calibration data for each pose can be reliably separated using simple thresholding or clustering. This includes the newly added posture pose.
– app and BLE integration: we’ll confirm that the app can complete calibration and ride sessions using the updated 16-sensor setup. This includes testing data streaming, flag handling, and result logging.
– housing fit and mechanical testing: after printing the hinged design, we’ll install and test it on the bike to make sure the sensors remain stable under motion and that wiring doesn’t shift during use.
– imaging comparison: both the Pi camera and USB webcam will be tested side-by-side for frame rate, image clarity, and latency. The better option will be integrated into the final housing layout.