Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
86 Smart Backpack + Inventory Tracking System
 Aashish Subramanian
Seth Oberholtzer
Shreyas Sriram
 Rui Gong proposal1.pdf
Smart Backpack + Inventory Tracking System
Team Members:

Shreyas Sriram (ssrir5)

Seth Oberholtzer (sethmo2)

Aashish Subramanian (asubr2)

Problem
Many people struggle with tracking their belongings inside their backpacks, often forgetting essential items or falling victim to theft in crowded areas. Traditional backpacks lack intelligent security and organization features, making them inefficient for modern users. There is a need for an innovative backpack that provides smart tracking, theft prevention, and automated security.

Solution Overview
We propose a Smart Backpack with Inventory Tracking & Security, integrating advanced RFID tracking, theft detection, automated security features, and real-time mobile connectivity. This backpack will help users keep track of their belongings, prevent theft, and provide alerts for missing items, ensuring both convenience and security.

Solution Components
RFID-Based Item Tracking
This backpack integrates an RFID tracking system to help users keep track of their essentials. Small RFID tags are attached to commonly carried items like a laptop, notebook, wallet, and keys. An STM (or any other) microcontroller scans the backpack’s contents and sends real-time alerts to a mobile app if an important item is missing before the user leaves a location.

Anti-Theft Security System
Designed with theft prevention in mind, the backpack features an accelerometer and gyroscope (IMU) to detect unusual movement, such as someone attempting to grab or open the bag while it's unattended. If unauthorized access is detected, a hidden buzzer or vibration motor activates to alert the user, adding an extra layer of security.

Bluetooth & Mobile App Connectivity
The backpack connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), allowing users to check their bag’s contents in real-time through a dedicated app. It also includes geo-fencing alerts, which notify the user if they leave the backpack behind in a public place, helping prevent loss.

Auto-Zip & Auto-Lock Mechanism
For added security and convenience, the backpack features motorized zippers and an electronic or magnetic locking system. It can automatically lock itself based on the user's location—securing in crowded areas and unlocking at home. This feature prevents unauthorized access while making it easy for the user to carry and access their belongings when needed.

Criteria for Success
Accurate RFID Tracking: The system must reliably detect and track RFID-tagged items in real-time, alerting users when an item is missing.

Effective Theft Detection: The IMU sensors should correctly identify unauthorized movements and trigger alerts or alarms.

Seamless Mobile App Integration: The app should provide real-time inventory tracking, geofencing alerts, and security notifications.

Reliable Auto-Zip & Locking Mechanism: The motorized zippers and locks must function consistently and respond correctly to user-defined security settings.

Low Power Consumption: The system should operate efficiently on a portable battery to last for extended periods without frequent recharging.

Prosthetic Control Board

Caleb Albers, Daniel Lee

Prosthetic Control Board

Featured Project

Psyonic is a local start-up that has been working on a prosthetic arm with an impressive set of features as well as being affordable. The current iteration of the main hand board is functional, but has limitations in computational power as well as scalability. In lieu of this, Psyonic wishes to switch to a production-ready chip that is an improvement on the current micro controller by utilizing a more modern architecture. During this change a few new features would be added that would improve safety, allow for easier debugging, and fix some issues present in the current implementation. The board is also slated to communicate with several other boards found in the hand. Additionally we are looking at the possibility of improving the longevity of the product with methods such as conformal coating and potting.

Core Functionality:

Replace microcontroller, change connectors, and code software to send control signals to the motor drivers

Tier 1 functions:

Add additional communication interfaces (I2C), and add temperature sensor.

Tier 2 functions:

Setup framework for communication between other boards, and improve board longevity.

Overview of proposed changes by affected area:

Microcontroller/Architecture Change:

Teensy -> Production-ready chip (most likely ARM based, i.e. STM32 family of processors)

Board:

support new microcontroller, adding additional communication interfaces (I2C), change to more robust connector. (will need to design pcb for both main control as well as finger sensors)

Sensor:

Addition of a temperature sensor to provide temperature feedback to the microcontroller.

Software:

change from Arduino IDE to new toolchain. (ARM has various base libraries such as mbed and can be configured for use with eclipse to act as IDE) Lay out framework to allow communication from other boards found in other parts of the arm.