What my project was.

The initial project description was for Christopher Gasper and me to program a Raspberry Pi to read EEG and EMG signals and move a prosthetic arm according to the thoughts which generate those signals. This was to be achieved using a Powerlab and a Kinect to collect data and later cut them out of the equation. The final project description was simplified based on time constraints. The final project description was to get the right arm movement detection software running on the Kinect with the Fit PC, collect EEG and EMG signals with the Powerlab, get the prosthetic arm running smoothly with the coordinates from the Fit PC, and communicate between the Pi and Fit PC.

We were initially expected to have the Raspberry Pi reading EEG and EMG signals and moving the prosthetic arm smoothly according to the intention behind those signals. It became clear that time constraints were too tight for these deliverables to be achieved, so we were then expected to have the arm detection software on the Fit PC running, the Powerlab collecting EEG and EMG signals, the prosthetic arm moving smoothly according to coordinates on the Fit PC, and communication between the Fit PC and the Raspberry Pi achieved.

Christopher Gasper and I were able to achieve the majority of these project deliverables. The arm detection software on the Fit PC runs and outputs coordinates, the Powerlab functions in collecting EEG and EMG signals, and the prosthetic arm was programmed to do basic motions smoothly.

The only deviation in our time line is that we were unable to achieve communication between the Fit PC and the Raspberry Pi. We planned to do this using a serial communication line, however, there was a delay in getting the C# IDE on the class computers. For this reason, Dr. Spalletta was unable to provide us with a class based on C# and we did not have the knowledge necessary to program the Fit PC for communication with the Pi.

What I accomplished.

The documentation of the prosthetic arm can be found in the papers and presentations found on this site as well as in my notebook, which will be given to Dr. Spalletta at the end of this class.

I believe work on this project should continue as it is an excellent demonstration of several computing languages and communications between them. I also feel that with the work Christopher Gasper and I did this past semester, a good groundwork should be set up for the next student, who chooses to do this project. I feel that with proper education on C# and documentation on the Pi hats, a student should be able to complete this project given enough time.

In order to complete this project, serial communication must be set up between the Pi and the Fit PC. This requires knowledge of C# to send the arm coordinates to the Pi through the serial bus. These coordinates can then be converted to joint angles used to run the servos on the prosthetic arm. A database also needs to be made using the Fit PC in conjunction with the Powerlab. Using these two together, a database can be made of EEG and EMG signals and the respective intents for motion. Once these two things are done, a circuit can be made to collect EEG and EMG signals on the Pi. Using this along with the database, the signals can be converted into motion intention and later joint angles to move the servos on the prosthetic arm accordingly.

Christopher Gasper and I can demonstrate the arm detection software on the Fit PC using the Kinect camera. We can also show the EEG and EMG signals being collected using the Powerlab. Finally we can show smooth motion of the prosthetic arm and use of the PWM/Servo Pi Hat.

Assessment of my work on the project

Given the time and resources we had available, Christopher Gasper and I finished the maximum number of project deliverables we could have achieved. The only suggested deliverable we did not achieve was the communication between the Raspberry Pi and the Fit PC. The completion of this goal was out of our hands, because we did not have access to the C# IDE to learn the language for a significant amount of the semester. Once we did, time ran short and there was no class teaching C# so we could not complete that goal. Overall, our work on this project was very thorough and set an excellent groundwork for any student that chooses to pick it up in the future.

Assessment of my work on the professional practice investigation paper and presentation

My professional practice paper can be found on this site and my presentation was done in class. My topic was discrimination, job security questions, strikes, and lockouts. I covered these topics thoroughly, providing the class and readers of my paper with a good understanding of the laws and regulations regarding this topics. I felt both my paper and presentation were thorough and complete, giving all the required information, but still concise and not full of extraneous wording.

Overall assessment of work in the class and justification of my final grade

Overall, I feel like I completed the required coursework for this class as completely and thoroughly as possible. I managed with the help of my partner to adhere to our timeline aside from one technical difficulty, which was out of our hands. I turned in all required papers and presentations online and they were all thorough and well made. I do not think there is anything else I could have done to improve upon the work I did for this class and I believe my grade should reflect that.