WhizzPod

WhizzPod

Team members

Muhammad Shahmi bin Mohd Sabli (EPD), Anish Kyle Adipudi (EPD), Iman Heizer Pua (ISTD), Ryan Gen Zi Qiang (ISTD), Jazreel Kwek (ISTD), Melissa (ISTD), Gabriel Koh Kia Kheng (ISTD)

Instructors:

Lu Zhuo Ming Kenny, Kwan Wei Lek

Writing Instructors:

Wong Yoke Chee Susan

Teaching Assistant:

Anirudh Maruvada

Project Description

Singapore has an aging population with 33.3% of its population above the age of 65 by 2050. Without travel, these elderly are more prone to developing physical, mental, and cognitive problems. Thus, we aimed to design WhizzPod, a Personal Mobility Aids (PMA) that provides the elderly with better accessibility to places they frequent, which in turn improves their quality of life. A successful project would be building WhizzPod to be capable of safely travelling a predefined route autonomously, while avoiding obstacles.

Semi autonomous

Mobile AI Net is Whizzpod’s computer vision system. The Object Detection component uses the YOLOv5 model to detect danger zones such as bus stops (where there are usually more people gathered) and small roads to prevent collisions. This is done by detecting certain objects in frame that indicate the Whizzpod is in a danger zone. In these danger zones, Whizzpod will hand over the manual steering to users to maneuver around these danger zones before re-enabling auto mode after the danger has passed. Outside these danger zones, the path segmentation component focuses on finding a safe path to navigate on.

Mobile Application

Our mobile application is designed with the user in mind. An intuitive user flow with simple interface as well as large labelled icons are used for greater usability for the elderly.

Map to select destination

The main feature of the app is to allow users to set their destination for their WhizzPod to travel to. Users can either tap on the map or use the search bar to enter a specific location to set their destination. Should the destination set be too far away for the PMA’s current battery level, users will be cautioned to set a closer destination. Upon confirmation of the destination, the WhizzPod will start moving to its destination. Users can cancel the ride at any point in time.

Bookmark

The bookmark feature allows users to save their frequently visited destination for convenience. This feature will also help elderly who may not be able to navigate the app as well as their family members can help them save some preset destinations.

Emergency Contacts

To give users and their family a peace of mind, users are able to save the contacts of their next-of-kin in the emergency contacts page. Users have the flexibility to set which events should be considered as emergencies. The app will then send automated messages in the case of a registered emergency event to the emergency contacts. This automated message will include the name of the user as well as the user’s current location to locate the users efficiently.