Applications and implications
Assignment
- Propose a final project that integrates the range of units covered.
Learning outcomes
- Define the scope of a project.
- Develop a project plan.
Have you
- Answered the questions.
Hardware
Computer
Mobile
Digital Braille writer (DBw)
What will it do?
It will take characters fron a Braille type keyboard and store it as text on an SD card.Who has done what beforehand?
There are commercial (electronic Braille writers), but they are too expensive for average public education students.
Low cost mechanical Braille writers 1 2
Low cost refreshable Braille display.
Refreshable Braille display mechanism.
What materials and components will be required?
At this stage, it has the following:- -Electronic components
- -Fabduino board
- -SD card module
- -SD card
- -3D printed buttons
- -MDF case
Where will they come from?
At the moment, all the materials can be found in the FabLab.How much will it cost?
So far, the total cost of the prototype is around $25.What parts and systems will be made?
The entire case for the machine will be made in the fablab, as well as the electronics for the microcontroller and input buttons. The buttons will also be made. Porbably, the SD card module won't be made at the lab.What processes will be used?
The main processes for the project are the programming of the keyboard. It will take characters fron a Braille type keyboard and store it as text on an SD card.What tasks need to be completed?
At this point, I have a working prototype, the next step is to improve the case.What questions need to be answered?
Is the prototype useful for a visually impaired person?
Does the machine register characters fast enough for any skilled user?How does the SD card work for a student?
What is the schedule?
During the next month, a new case will be designed. Also, the prototype will be tested by teachers and students of the Hellen Keller school for the visually impaired.How will it be evaluated?
I have approached the Hellen Keller institute in Costa Rica to discuss this project. I spoke to two of the teachers working there, and they agreed that the Brailler Recorder would be of much use for the visually impaired. They listed as advantages of such machine the low cost, portability, low noise, and flexibility for further development in including other sets of the braille code (mathematics and other languages). The institute has offered a space to test the machine with both teachers and students to provide feedback on the performance of the machine.
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