HitSmart
A smarter way to train
Group 3
Alphonso Carty - Electrical Engineering
Julien Missial - Computer Engineering
Daniel Padron - Electrical Engineering
Patrick Shickel - Computer Engineering
Motivation & Background
The group went through countless project ideas during the first two weeks of the semester. Due to the well roundedness of our group’s skillset (the four of us have combined expertise in Android and iOS applications, embedded devices, circuitry, and power), we wanted to come up with a project that incorporates all of our expertise. In general, we wanted a system that includes some kind of battery-powered, embedded device that interfaces with a mobile app. Our first idea was a mobile app-controlled battery-powered drone that uses a Raspberry Pi to scan an area’s wi-fi network and steals information. We then realized that the scope of that project would just be too large: building our own drone itself would have been a Senior Design project. Even if we bought a drone, most of the time would’ve been spent trying to fiddle with a Raspberry Pi, and probably running the risk of getting in trouble for hacking UCF.
Since a few of us train in martial arts, we thought it would be a good idea for something fitness related. After a brainstorming session, we originally had thought of a virtual-reality enabled sparring suit. Just like the drone idea, we figured it was too much to scale. We thought by doing a project in the same area but at a more reasonable scale would be a great idea. After more brainstorming, we finally came up with the idea for HitSmart!
From our initial research, we concluded that there is interest in this area. Fitness technology in general is a very in-demand and competitive market. A snippet from an interview from boxing legend Evander Holyfield in regards to training: "I wonder how hard it really was, though—you know, scientifically speaking". He was referring to the force of his punches. Having a statistical breakdown of a training session would be ideal for an athlete, especially someone who is looking for feedback very quickly.
Other than a few crowdfunded prototypes, our idea is a relatively new project. There is a product called “iPunch”, which is a very similar idea. In addition, there is a KickStarter-backed project called “Smart Sensor Gloves”, developed by MM8 Sports Ltd. Both products have not reached consumers, with the latter failing to be sold despite reaching their funding goal. Both have noted the difficulty to identify the different types of punches (hook, jab, cross, etc). That won’t be a focus of ours, so that wouldn’t be an issue. What would make us different is through our accelerometer approach, as well as making the mobile app more engaging and user friendly. Another differentiation is the fact that our design, we will make the hardware compatible with different gloves — something neither products were capable of accomplishing.
Function of the Project
The main functional goal of this project will be to measure the timing and strength of punches and have that data transmitted to be used with a mobile app. The app will function as the display and user interface with the system, allowing for the user to select what type of regimen or “game” will be played from a variety of options. Trying to hit a large market, the platform for the app could be variable, hitting either or both the Android or iOS operating systems. Once selected the app communicates with the computational unit and controller to initialize said routine and collect data. The user then delivers punches to a body in fashion with the specified regimen and the computer measures the amount per unit time and strength of each strike among other datas.
The computer then processes this data, organizes it, and sends it back to the app for further user interface. The app will be able to store and display a variety of variables over a long course of time to generate statistics for the user and help improve their training regimen.
Along with the basic functions of hit strength and amount of time, other functions will also be implemented to increase its use. A social media integration will serve to increase the amount of users by recording user results from sessions as scores as a part of a game of sorts. With a scoreboard in place, a friendly competitive environment should arise and prompt more robust and versatile use of the system.
Project Goals and Objectives
●Gloves are able to accurately detect punch metrics using multiple sensing mechanisms.
●Users are able to see their session information instantly on their smartphone.
●Users are able to see their complete boxing session statistics to track progress over time in a interesting and fun way.
○Hit count view
○Hit speed view
○Hit force view
○Calories burned
○“Who is Stronger” game; Compete with friends for the strongest and fastest punch
●Data broadcasted from the glove’s sensing unit is encrypted before being sent out to the user’s smartphone.
●Gloves have a battery life of at least 3 hours of continuous operation.
●Sensors and processing unit are invisible to the end user.
●Battery is easily accessible to the end user.
●Circuitry must be light-weight so that it does not influence the user’s performance.
Specifications & Requirements
Performance / Impact force and and acceleration information metrics are accurate within a 5% error margin
Circuitry weight / Complete circuitry weight is less than 80 grams (including battery)
Total weight / 380 to 540 grams (depends on glove size)
User interface / Apple iOS or Android application bundled
Battery life / 3 hr continuous use minimum
Glove Block Diagram
Application Use Case Diagram
Block workload distribution
Carty / Missial / Padron / ShickelMobile Application (Software) / X
Microcontroller (Software) / X
PCB Layout/Design / X
Power Module / X
Budget
Part / Example link / Estimated CostBoxing gloves x 1 set / / $28
Piezoresistive Force Sensor x 2 (1 per glove) / / $7 each
Piezoelectric force detector. 10 - 20 / / $1.50
IMU x 2 (1 per glove) / / $40 each
Microcontroller w/ Bluetooth Controller x 2 (1 per glove) / / $5 each
Coin cell batteries x 8 (1 for each glove + extras) / / $2 each
Total per glove set / $88
Developer’s License (Android) /
/ $25
Developer’s License (iOS) / / $99
PCB Printing x 3 (to allow for redesigns/etc.) / / $10
GRAND TOTAL (2 glove sets) / $390
Project Milestones
HitSmart Project MilestonesTask / Description / Duration (days) / Start / Finish
Research / Requirements / Design Phase / Research technologies and methods applicable to project. Apply research to define and refine system and design requirements. Purchase required materials for design phase / 30 / In progress / 7/1/2015
Development Phase / Develop and unit test electrical and software subsystems. Includes hardware/software integration (run embedded software on PCB) / 90 / 7/1/2015 / 10/1/2015
- Develop app(s) / 90 / 7/1/2015 / 10/1/2015
- PCB bring up / 60 / 7/1/2015 / 9/1/2015
- Develop embedded microcontroller software / 60 / 7/1/2015 / 9/1/2015
- Integrate hardware / software / 30 / 9/1/2015 / 10/1/2015
System Integration Phase / Integrate the electrical and software subsystems in glove set #1 / 30 / 10/1/2015 / 11/1/2015
Testing Phase / Perform tests on the fully integrated system / make performance tweaks or other necessary minor changes / 30 / 11/1/2015 / 12/1/2015
Product Demonstration / Demonstrate fully functional product / -- / -- / --