Embedded System - Assignment
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Assignment 1
The objective of this assignment is to develop skills in conducting research within specific fields of interest related to embedded system in spatial design and effectively communicate findings through visual means. We will explore various research methodologies, evaluate the effectiveness, and present the research findings in the form of an infographic or visual presentation board.
Reflection
Throughout this assignment, I have gained a deeper understanding of embedded systems. Initially, I had totally no idea of what an embedded system is. However, after a few lectures with Mr. Yusri and engaging in this assignment, which encouraged me to do observations on embedded systems in our surroundings, I have now understood how embedded systems help in our daily lives, offering convenience, safety and prioritizing human needs.
For this assignment, I decided to observe the embedded system within a shopping mall. Therefore, I have chosen Sunway Pyramid which is nearer to my dorm. Sunway Pyramid is a shopping mall well-known among young people, providing various entertainment, dining options, and shopping experience. It is constantly integrated with the latest technology to further enhance visitors’ overall experience. After a few hours of observation, I have selected fire detection system, automatic license plate recognition, elevator and surveillance camera for analysis in this assignment, aiming to compare their functionality, how they work together to perform a task, and consider their reliability and validity.
Although observation is a convenient method to obtain direct insights and rich data, it can introduce bias due to different perspectives and subjective opinions. Therefore, to minimize this bias, I put in more effort on planning, collecting various data and analyzing the observations thoroughly. For example, I noticed the occurrence of the fire detection system, elevator and surveillance camera in the shopping mall is more frequent than other infrastructure. Therefore, it prompted me to analyze them to increase the reliability of the findings, due to the fact that they are commonly used in every corner of the shopping mall. I also did some research on their embedded system to get more accurate information and relate their functionality to the operation in a shopping mall.
Creating a comprehensive infographic after completing the observation and research is also a challenge for me. Not only to decrease the wording while maintaining its clarity, but also to create a visually appealing infographic. It has been a long time since designing an infographic. I have used up a lot of time to make my infographic look tidy and attractive, without losing any important information. I'm happy with how the infographic turned out. While there's still quite a bit of text, I like the organization and simplicity of the infographic.
Nonetheless, this assignment is a success for me. Discovering the definition of embedded systems and its application in our daily settings is a meaningful self-learning process. This assignment not only gives me a deeper understanding of embedded systems, but the process to slowly explore and discover the answer to it is a valuable experience. Learning this topic has enlightened me about how embedded systems ease human lives in various scenarios. For instance, a fire detection system helps to detect and trigger an alarm in the event of a fire, ensuring human safety. Elevators transport people to different floors, saving energy and time. Automatic license plate recognition speeds up the identification processes and surveillance cameras protect against loss. Behind all this infrastructure, each embedded system plays a crucial role to work together to perform a specific task for human needs. Furthermore, analyzing the reliability, validity, feasibility and ethical considerations also give me valuable insights of the factors that need to be considered when applying these embedded systems so that they work well and benefit us.
In conclusion, I am grateful for the opportunity to delve into the world of embedded systems through this assignment. It inspired me the significance of embedded systems in our daily lives and how it is relevant to our further studies. I am confident that incorporating embedded systems with interactive spatial design will soon present us with new breakthroughs.
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Assignment 2
This assignment aims to design an embedded system based on the needs of wheelchair users. We are required to collect data from wheelchair users and design an embedded system that caters to their needs.
Stage 1: User research
Figure 2.1 Research methodology
Figure 2.2 User persona
Stage 2: Need Identification and Matching
Figure 2.3-2.15 Sketches
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Figure 3.1 User flow
Figure 3.2-3.9 User manual
Figure 3.10 Infographic
This assignment has been both challenging and rewarding for me. Throughout this assignment, I have gained valuable insights into the step-by-step process of designing an embedded system specifically to our target users, starting from collecting data through interview, compile all the gathered information, design an embedded system that caters their needs and also make a user manual for our product. Despite encountering numerous hurdles throughout this project, requiring a lot of trial and error to refine my proposal, I am satisfied with the end product. Nonetheless, it is a big success for me, as this is my first time creating a system independently.
Starting from the first stage which is user research, I have already encountered a big challenge because I didn't know any wheelchair users. Additionally, I felt stressful when approaching strangers for interviews, concerning that I might potentially offend them. After several days of searching, I finally got to know Nee Xuan through a recommendation from a friend. We connected via Instagram. It actually took me a lot of courage to ask her for an interview. Thankfully, she was enthusiastic and generously shared her experiences and suggestions, providing me with invaluable insights and ideas for designing an embedded system tailored to her needs. In the end, I'm grateful not only for the insightful interview but also for the friendship we formed! Throughout this user research, I have become more courageous in socializing, and I have also mastered the techniques of interviewing, such as asking specific and direct questions necessary for my upcoming project.
Generally, I encountered no obstacles when compiling all gathered information and summarizing it into user personas since we had done it last semester. However, when it came to brainstorming our initial concept for the embedded system that meets my interviewer’s needs during stage 2 and 3, I actually had a lot of ideas in my mind. However, some were not realistic and some were already exist in the market. That's why it's actually quite hard to finalize my idea. This stage tests my brainstorming ability and creativity. It also gives me a preview of facing rejection for multiple proposals when starting to work with clients in the future.
This process of brainstorming and ideation has been a valuable learning experience, giving me significant insights of the importance of adaptability, market research, and prioritization in innovation. During the brainstorming session, I created numerous sketches to illustrate my idea. Initially, I decided to modify the wheelchair into a multifunctional device since physically disabled individuals often spend most of their time in wheelchairs. This is because wheelchair not only a transportation, but also as a safe place for them. Consequently, I included features such as wheels capable of ascending stairs, adjustable height, joystick control, and an emergency sensor to enhance their mobility and ensure their safety. However, wheelchairs with these features already exist in the market and they are very expensive which cannot be afforded by many wheelchair users. After consulting with Mr. Yusri, I decided to focus on the emergency sensor. This choice was made because it is not a massive project compared to creating an entire wheelchair, and this technology is not yet mature in the market. Additionally, it shifts the objective to making safety protection affordable for everyone who needs it. This decision was informed by the understanding that safety protection should be accessible to all wheelchair users, irrespective of financial constraints. Through this process, I learned the significance of identifying important needs, adapting to constraints, and prioritizing resources effectively. By focusing on a practical and affordable solution, I hope to make crucial safety features accessible to people with disabilities which promote inclusivity.
I invested a lot of time and effort in refining my proposal, starting from the exploration of multiple ideas to narrowing down to a single concept. At the end, I came out with my finalized embedded system, VitalBand, a wrist band which offers comprehensive solution to enhance the safety and well-being of wheelchair users. It possesses features such as emergency detection, automatic contact, health monitoring, and remote monitoring. It provides wheelchair users security by facilitating instant assistance during emergencies and enabling proactive health management. Moreover, the remote monitoring feature allows caregivers or guardians to stay informed about the user's health status and location in real-time to continuously ensure their safety.
Nonetheless, I managed to complete this project before the deadline. I have learned a lot from this project. Starting with interviewing, proposing multiple proposals, narrowing down to one idea, constructing a user manual, and summarizing into one infographic. It's hard to construct a mature embedded system considering its functionality, structural design, validity, and feasibility. It requires much research and trial-and-error to design an embedded system. However, this is just the first step of creating a product. What I'm doing now is a mere draft. It still requires many steps to come out with a solid product. This assignment has given me insights into the step-by-step process of designing an embedded system. I am glad to gain many valuable lessons from this project for my future endeavours.
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