Testing Summary
Participants:
- Height: 6 feet, Gender: Male
- Height: 5 feet 8 inches, Gender: Male
- Height: 5 feet, Gender: Female
Key Objectives:
- Evaluate ease of use and comfort during wear.
- Assess user feedback on the insole’s feel.
- Validate step-count accuracy.
- Identify and fix any firmware-related issues.
Findings:
- Usability & Comfort:
- The device was reported as easy to use, with participants quickly adapting to its setup.
- Comfort feedback was positive, with slight material adjustments suggested for enhanced fit, particularly by the shortest participant.
- Step-Count Refinement:
- Improved calibration of the step-detection algorithm ensured accurate results for all participants, regardless of differences in stride length or height.
- Firmware Updates:
- Resolved a critical bug related to BLE transmission by ensuring the data buffer is emptied onto the SD card before transmitting via Bluetooth.
- This update improved system reliability and data integrity.
Additional Progress
- Second Shoe Prototype:
- Initiated the fabrication of the second insole prototype to enable bilateral motion analysis and further expand testing capabilities.
- Final Presentation:
- Drafted and refined the project’s final presentation to clearly communicate the goals, challenges, and progress to stakeholders.
- Integrated visuals and data to effectively showcase testing results and technical milestones.
New Tools and Knowledge Acquisition
To design, implement, and debug this project, I had to explore a range of new tools and acquire knowledge across various domains. Here’s what I learned and how I went about it:
- Tools and Knowledge Acquired:
- Firmware Development: Delved into SD card data management and BLE protocols to ensure seamless data transmission.
- Hardware Integration: Worked extensively with the ESP32 and Bosch IMU, learning to minimize sensor drift and optimize data processing.
- MATLAB Simulations: Conducted simulations to fine-tune system parameters, particularly to minimize sensor saturation.
- Learning Strategies:
- YouTube Tutorials: When confronted with unfamiliar concepts, I relied heavily on YouTube for quick, visual explanations.
- GitHub Repositories: I explored open-source projects to better understand best practices and avoid reinventing the wheel.
- Online Forums: Platforms like Stack Overflow and specialized robotics forums were invaluable for troubleshooting specific issues.
One key insight I gained was the importance of understanding the question before attempting to answer it. A problem that is well-defined is already half-solved. By breaking down complex challenges into smaller, digestible parts and focusing on clear problem statements, I could systematically work toward effective solutions.
Next Steps
- Finalize the second shoe prototype for bilateral testing.
- Expand participant testing to gather additional feedback.
- Refine the final presentation and incorporate additional data visualizations.