Rugby Chair Monitor

Final Presentation

Maisie Mahoney
Alex Brenner, Nicole Migotsky
Group 20

Agenda

Overview - Need, Scope, & Design Specifications

Feasibility

Explanation of Design

Parts and Manufacturing

Conclusion

Overview

USA Wheelchair Rugby - Need & Scope

Current self-quantification technology is

designed and marketed towards ablebodied athletes

USAWR Coach Steve Pate (right) wants to

better quantify and track his athletes
training

The device will:

Provide accurate power and incline data

Have no interference with typical movement or

gameplay

Design Specifications

Portable, Durable, and Inexpensive

Specific Metric

Quantitative Value

Compact

.5 Liters

Lightweight

1.0 -1.5 % of total mass

Center of Mass Alteration

Center of Mass not altered by >5 cm in any

direction

Sturdy

Will remain intact if wheelchair is impacted

with force up to 200N

Water Resistant

2-3 barr

Temperature Resistant

[-40, 55]

Low Product Cost

< $100 per device

Reliable Data and Sustainable Power

Specific Metric

Quantitative Value

Accurate: Incline Measurement

.5

Consistent: Power Measurement

5% (of max power)

Sampling Rate

> 8 Hz

Power

No mains power

Operation Time

48 hours

Easy to Use and Aesthetically Pleasing

Specific Metric

Quantitative Value

Removeable

Can be removed and reattached by level

3.0 and above players

High Usability

Operated by individuals 18+; intuitive stepby-step instructions; approachable and

simple set-up

Minimal Calibration Time

10-15 minutes

Minimal Set-Up

Once calibration is done, < 5 minutes each

subsequent time

Visually Pleasing

Product must be approved by a survey of

potential users

Feasibility

Obtaining Power & Incline

=

athlete

* velocity
N

athlete

=[

mgsin()

+ N + mgsin()]*velocity

Accuracy and Sampling Rate

RGB Sensor

Needs to be able to capture a maximum

speed of 10 m/s
Samples every 42 ms
Tape on of wheel
Wheel radius is 0.3m

(0.3*pi*2)m/rotation / 0.168 sec/rotation = 11.39 m/s

Triaxial Accelerometer

Maximum Sampling Rate

x: 1600 Hz
y: 1600 Hz
z: 550 HZ

Error Bounds

Angle Measure: +/- 0.1 degrees

Acceleration Measure: +/- 0.1 m/s^2

Weight and Disruption to Play

Weight: Current prototype weighs 0.242kg

Size: Current prototype has a volume of 0.858 liters

Must be 0.5 liters or less to meet requirements

Power: Use two 3v lithium coin cell batteries

1.5% of total mass = 1.28 kg

Remove the need for mains power and increases the lifetime

Communication: Bluetooth compatibility built in

Wireless communication of data

Explanation of Design

Overview of Chosen Design

Components

RGB Color Sensor

Triaxial Accelerometer

Microcontroller with Bluetooth

compatibility
Two 3V lithium ion coin cell batteries

Entire device is housed in case

Attached to permanent platform under
chair

Flow of Information

a.
b.

c.
d.
e.

The user trains with the activity monitor on their wheelchair, producing raw data for
the device.
Raw acceleration data is recorded by the accelerometer and raw rpm data is
recorded by the color sensor. This data is outputted from the sensors to a
microcomputer or computational processor.
The raw data is converted into usable quantities and computed to calculate power
output and incline with respect to ground.
The microcomputer or processor sends the calculated power and incline values to a
Bluetooth module.
The information is then sent via Bluetooth to a smartphone

Sensors & Data: Acceleration

Raw output: 10 bit milivolt value between 0 and 1023 for x, y, and z axis
Information is exported from sensor to centralized microcontroller
Zero g offset & sensitivity

Calculated during initial calibration

Device is turned to each of the six directions
The raw data output is the measurement for +/- 1g for each direction respectively
Average numbers for -1g and +1g gOffset
Difference between -1g and +1g is the milivolt change for 2g
Divide number by 2 Sensitivity in mV/g

Acceleration (m/s2)=(RawValue-gOffset) / Sensitivity *9.81

Sensors & Data: Incline

Sensors & Data: Velocity

Sensor emits light from an RGB LED and
then measures the reflected light using a
phototransistor
As the sensor detects the tape, the red
intensity value increases
Time between increases is measured and
represents time per rotation
Velocity (m/s)=circ.(m/rotation) / time (s/rotation)

Power Calculation

Dynamic measurements are provided by the accelerometer and color

sensor
Constants stored within the microcontroller:

Mass of Chair: 17.245 kg

Mass of Athlete: 68 kg
Coefficient of friction: 0.7

Calculated according to the equation:

P

=[

+ N + mgsin()]*velocity

Safety
Users

Major Hazard

Mitigation Technique

General Public

Tripping over charging cord

Magnetic Cord

Athlete

Device falling off during

training

Additional
mounting/straps

Coaching Staff

Overheated device

Ventilation in case

Parts and Manufacturing

Conclusion

Reflection
What We Learned

Initial scope was too broad

More time invested in researching and
planning during early stages was
needed
Time allocated for prototyping limited
the level of completeness of the
prototype
Significant value was placed on
collaboration and communication from
the begining

Meeting the Need

Current proof of concept prototype can

track proper metrics
Does not totally meet client needs
The formulated solution does meet the
client needs

Future Directions & IP

Current prototype cannot meet all the design
specs and client needs.

Intellectual Property:
-

Next Steps:
-

Remove mains power

Add Bluetooth capability
Decrease volume

We will continue to work on this device

throughout the next semester.

How the parts are being used in tandem

to calculate power
Use of the color sensor to measure time
per rotation
We are creating a device for a need that
is unsatisfied

Ethical Considerations
Q: Will the training data influence players to train more often or more
rigorously?
Q: Will this data cause a player to be cut from the team that otherwise would
not have been?
Q: Will this device physically or mental harm the user?

Questions?

Prototype Demonstration

References
[1] Sindall P, Lenton JP, Whytock K. Criterion validity and accuracy of global positioning satellite and data logging devices for
wheelchair tennis court movement. The journal of spinal cord medicine. 36(4):383-93. 2013.
[2] van der Woude LH, Veeger HE, Dallmeijer AJ, Janssen TW, Rozendaal LA. Biomechanics and physiology in active manual
wheelchair propulsion. Medical engineering & physics. 23(10):713-33. 2001.
[3] J. Chua, F. Fuss and A. Subic, Rolling friction of a rugby wheelchair, Procedia Engineering Vol. 2, (2010) 3071-3076.
[4] "Lithium Coin-Cell Batteries." - Application Note. Maxim Integrated, n.d. Web.
[5] Russell et al. Tri-Axial Accelerometers US Patent 4,941,354. 17 Jul 1990.
[6] "Accelerometer Calibration II: Simple Methods." Chionotech. Wordpress.com, 26 Aug. 2011. Web.
[7] "Simple Angle Meter Using ADXL335 Accelerometer." Electronics Blog. Wordpress.com, n.d. Web.
[8] Friction and Coefficients of Friction." Friction and Coefficients of Friction. The Engineering Toolbox, n.d. Web.

References
9] "SparkFun Triple Axis Accelerometer Breakout - ADXL335 SEN-09269 ROHS In Fritzing Library." SparkFun. SparkFun
Electronics, n.d. Web.
[10] "ColorPAL." Parallax Inc. Parallax Inc. 2015, n.d. Web.
[11] "CR2032 Lithium Coin Cell Battery." Adafruit. Adafruit, n.d. Web.
[12] "2 X 2032 Coin Cell Battery Holder - 6V Output with On/Off Switch." Adafruit. Adafruit, n.d. Web.
[13] "Adafruit Bluefruit LE Micro - Bluetooth Low Energy + ATmega32u4." Adafruit. Adafruit, n.d. Web.
[14] "Wire - 24 Gauge Stranded AWG Wire." LED Supply. LEDSupply, n.d. Web.
[15] "Monoprice Fastening Tape." Amazon. Amazon.com, Inc., n.d. Web.
[16] Rhodes JM, Mason BS, Perrat B, Smith MJ, Malone LA, Goosey-tolfrey VL. Activity profiles of elite wheelchair rugby players
during competition. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2015;10(3):318-24.