| Updated 11-24-2023 |
| Title: | Adaptive RC Sailing Interface Controller | ||
| Introduction: | Unfortunately some enthusiastic RC model sailboat skippers have suffered drastic physical injuries or disease which renders them quadriplegics. Adaptive devices serve numerous people with disabilities in a variety of ways. Such devices can be incorporated into RC radios so that afflicted sailors can once again enjoy the hobby and sport of model yachting. This project was inspired by a November 13, 2020 Facebook posting. The Adaptive RC Sailer interface is an innovative, but nevertheless, simple to construct and easy to implement approach that addresses the need. | ||
| Description: | The project was initially divided into three phases, with progressively more sophisticated approaches, but using simple methods of interfacing and commanding the sailboat's rudder and sails.
This year, Phase 4 is geared towards improving the voice-contolled schema that was developed during Phase 3 and to explore alternate controlling inputs such as head tilt and positional accelerometers,
electroencephalographs / electromyogram feedback.
Click to View or to Download a copy of the Requirements Document.
Phase One (2020) incorporates simple modifications to existing RC transmitters. Off-the-shelf hardware
(Arduino UNO micro-controller and X9C102 digital potentiometers) and open source software form the basis
for constructing a simple to build control box that easily interfaces to most radio transmitters used by RC skippers.
Readily available adaptive devices (sip & puff switches), already familiar to physically disabled individuals,
are used to bridge the gap between the skipper and his/her sailboat.
Phase Two (2021) utilizes the FlySky i6X transmitter training / firmware update port.
A synthesized PPM signal is generated by the Arduino and controlled by the adaptive switches.
The PPM signal is injected directly into the training port via a connecting cable.
This approach avoids having to remove the joystick potentiometer connections and
thus eliminates any modifications to the RC transmitter.
Phase Three (2022) expands the PPM technique developed in Phase Two and focuses on developing a system
for controlling sailboats by using voice recognition commands. A Geeetech Voice Recogintion Module and an Arduino UNO microcontroller
were used to convert spoken commands to rudder and sail positions by modulating the PPM signal which is injected directly
into the RC transmitter's training port via a connecting cable.
Phase Four (2023) expands the voice recognition schema developed in Phase Three and focuses on increasing and refining the voice recognition commands.
Alternate microprocessors such as the Arduino Nano RP2040 CONNECT and the Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040 are also being considered.
A secondary effort involves exploring alternate control modalities including head tilt and
positional accelerometers, electroencephalographs, and electromyogram inputs. |