Project
| # | Title | Team Members | TA | Documents | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | BetaSpray - Bouldering Route Assistance |
Ingi Helgason Maxwell Beach Prakhar Gupta |
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| # Beta Spray [Link to Discussion](https://courses.grainger.illinois.edu/ece445/pace/view-topic.asp?id=78759) **Team Members:** - Maxwell Beach (mlbeach2) - Ingi Helgason (ingih2) - Prakhar Gupta (prakhar7) # Problem Spray walls in climbing gyms allow users to create endless custom routes, but preserving or sharing those climbs is difficult. Currently, climbers must memorize or manually mark which holds belong to a route. This limitation makes training inconsistent and reduces the collaborative potential of spray wall setups, particularly in community and training gym environments. # Solution Beta Spray introduces a combined scanning and projection system that records and visually reproduces climbing routes. The system maps the spray wall, categorizes each hold, and projects or highlights route-specific holds to guide climbers in real time. Routes can be stored locally or shared across devices over a network. The design includes three primary subsystems: vision mapping, projection control, and user interface. # Solution Components ## Vision Mapping Subsystem This subsystem performs wall scanning and hold detection. A **camera module** (Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 or Arducam OV5647) will capture high-resolution images under ambient lighting conditions. The **ESP32** will handle image capture and preprocessing using C++ OpenCV bindings. The image recognition algorithm will identify hold contours and assign coordinates relative to wall geometry. If on-device processing proves too compute-intensive, the camera data can be sent via HTTP requests to a remote machine running an OpenCV or TensorFlow Lite inference service for offloaded recognition. To improve reliability in low-light setups, IR LEDs or reflective markers may be added for hold localization. If latency proves too high, a physical layer solution could connect directly to a nearby laptop to speed up computer vision processing. ## Projection Subsystem The projection subsystem highlights route holds using **servo-actuated laser pointers**. Each laser module will be mounted to a **2-axis servo gimbal** arrangement controlled by a microcontroller PWM interface. The system will direct up to four laser beams to indicate sequential handholds as users progress. A benefit of using servos over motors is avoiding PID tuning for motor control loops. If laser precision or safety reliability becomes an issue, an alternative approach will use a **compact DLP or LED projector**, calibrated through the same coordinate mapping. Mechanical design will ensure adjustable pitch angles to accommodate wall inclines up to 45 degrees. ## User Interface Subsystem Users configure and control Beta Spray through a web or mobile interface. The **ESP32** module provides Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and the **ESP‑IDF SDK** enables local route storage through SPI flash or SD card, along with a lightweight HTTP server for remote control. The interface will include climb management (create, save, replay) and calibration controls. If latency or bandwidth limits affect responsiveness, a fallback option is to implement a wired serial or USB configuration interface using a host computer to manage routes and command sequences. A basic mobile or web frontend will be developed using **Flutter** or **Flask**. # Physical Constraints - The system will draw power from a standard outlet (no battery operation needed). - The device will be secured to the floor using a stable stand or rubber bumpers to prevent slipping. - The total footprint will be **less than 25 cm * 25 cm**, with a maximum height of **40 cm**, including the laser pointer gimbals. # Criterion for Success Beta Spray will be successful if it can: - Achieve reasonable accuracy in laser pointer targeting to mark holds. - Track a climber’s movement in real time with less than **200 ms** latency. - Interface with a mobile device to change route planning and trajectory. - Operate consistently across varied placement distances and wall angles. Meeting these criteria will validate the feasibility of Beta Spray as a modular and expandable climbing wall visualization platform. |
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