Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
66 Item-Tracking Backpack
Abdullah Alfaraj
Raef Almuallem
Surya Vasanth design_document1.pdf
final_paper1.pdf
photo1.jpeg
photo2.jpeg
presentation1.pdf
proposal3.pdf
video1.mp4
# Item-Tracking Backpack

# Team Members:

Abdullah Alfaraj (alfaraj3)

Raef Almuallem (raefma2)

# Problem

Many people use backpacks to store their belongings when going out. Since backpacks can hold many items, it can be easy to lose track of what has been put in it. The act of checking the bag to ensure nothing has been forgotten can often be inconvenient. This becomes especially time-consuming when many items have been placed in the backpack. Keeping track of where each item has been placed can also be a hassle for smaller items or when there is a large number of items in the bag.

# Solution

A system for monitoring the items present in the backpack using RFID can be implemented as a solution. Users can input the items they plan on placing in the bag using a phone application. RFID tags can be placed on these items, and once all of the items listed have been detected, a green LED will light up to indicate that nothing has been forgotten. Moreover, to assist with keeping track of the items within the bag, the user will be able to specify where a specific item will be placed. A red LED will light up to indicate that a compartment does not contain the exact items desired.

# Solution Components

## Subsystem 1: Sensors

This subsystem will deal with detecting the items present in the bag. RFID will be used to monitor each individual item present.

## Substyem 2: Microcontroller

The microcontroller will interface with the RFID sensors to determine which items are present, and whether all items have been placed. It will turn on the green LED and turn off the red LEDs when all items are present.

## Subystem 3: Indication

A 10 mm green LED will be used to indicate if all the items the user was planning on placing in the backpack are present. The LED will light up once the RFID has detected all the desired items to inform the user that nothing has been forgotten. A 10 mm red LED will be used for each compartment, and it will light up if the RFID could not detect a desired item in the compartment.

## Subsystem 4: Application

The application will allow users to create a list of items to be placed in the backpack. Items can be added and removed from the list and any items missing will be displayed. The application will also allow for the organization of the items in the bag by allowing the user to add items to a given compartment.



# Criterion for Success

Green LED lights up when all the desired items have been placed, otherwise, it is off

Red LEDs light up if items are missing from a given compartment

Two compartments capable of storing large items properly track the items contained in it

One compartment capable of storing small items properly tracks the items contained within it

The application allows for the list of items to be placed in the backpack to be changed

The application allows for the organization of the items to be placed in different compartments

The application recommends missing items or items placed in an incorrect compartment

Cloud-controlled quadcopter

Anuraag Vankayala, Amrutha Vasili

Cloud-controlled quadcopter

Featured Project

Idea:

To build a GPS-assisted, cloud-controlled quadcopter, for consumer-friendly aerial photography.

Design/Build:

We will be building a quad from the frame up. The four motors will each have electronic speed controllers,to balance and handle control inputs received from an 8-bit microcontroller(AP),required for its flight. The firmware will be tweaked slightly to allow flight modes that our project specifically requires. A companion computer such as the Erle Brain will be connected to the AP and to the cloud(EC2). We will build a codebase for the flight controller to navigate the quad. This would involve sending messages as per the MAVLink spec for sUAS between the companion computer and the AP to poll sensor data , voltage information , etc. The companion computer will also talk to the cloud via a UDP port to receive requests and process them via our code. Users make requests for media capture via a phone app that talks to the cloud via an internet connection.

Why is it worth doing:

There is currently no consumer-friendly solution that provides or lets anyone capture aerial photographs of them/their family/a nearby event via a simple tap on a phone. In fact, present day off-the-shelf alternatives offer relatively expensive solutions that require owning and carrying bulky equipment such as the quads/remotes. Our idea allows for safe and responsible use of drones as our proposed solution is autonomous, has several safety features, is context aware(terrain information , no fly zones , NOTAMs , etc.) and integrates with the federal airspace seamlessly.

End Product:

Quads that are ready for the connected world and are capable to fly autonomously, from the user standpoint, and can perform maneuvers safely with a very simplistic UI for the common user. Specifically, quads which are deployed on user's demand, without the hassle of ownership.

Similar products and comparison:

Current solutions include RTF (ready to fly) quads such as the DJI Phantom and the Kickstarter project, Lily,that are heavily user-dependent or user-centric.The Phantom requires you to carry a bulky remote with multiple antennas. Moreover,the flight radius could be reduced by interference from nearby conditions.Lily requires the user to carry a tracking device on them. You can not have Lily shoot a subject that is not you. Lily can have a maximum altitude of 15 m above you and that is below the tree line,prone to crashes.

Our solution differs in several ways.Our solution intends to be location and/or event-centric. We propose that the users need not own quads and user can capture a moment with a phone.As long as any of the users are in the service area and the weather conditions are permissible, safety and knowledge of controlling the quad are all abstracted. The only question left to the user is what should be in the picture at a given time.

Project Videos