Award Data

Cities must perform detailed assessments of sidewalks and streets, including curb ramps, pedestrian signals, crosswalks, street furniture, and other components to determine compliance with the Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines. However, current assessment methods are inadequate or unreasonable due to time and resources required. The objectives of this project are to: 1) develop elect ...

Based on previous research, this project develops and demonstrates the HearingCompanionwhich: (1) automatically recognizes specific sounds in the environment on a pocket-sized device; and(2) alerts the user on their mobile device via vibration, images, and captions that identify these recognizedsounds. This efficient, wearable system utilizes existing and developing technology, improvingthe abilit ...

This project researches, develops, and demonstrates the technical merit and feasibility of awearable device which (1) detects the direction of a sound source or motion, and (2) alerts the user viavibration, images, and captions to the direction of this sound source or movement relative to the currentposition of the individual. This provides the user with a sense of independence and personal safety ...

The overall goal of this multi-phase project is the development of a system that will help individuals orient themselves and safely navigate in vocational environments. The system will also be designed to assist individuals in finding and identifying items and objects. Various strategies and technologies have been introduced to provide navigation assistance, including devices that support audio ...

The three primary drive systems for power wheelchairs-front, middle and rear wheel drives-have a wide range of advantages and disadvantages. Users select the drive system based on their individual needs. Currently, no power wheelchair has a variable position drive system that the power wheelchair user can automatically move fore/aft through a range that will provide the benefits of rear, middle ...

The Phase I SBIR project will evaluate the feasibility of utilizing a low cost sensor to obtain rail temperatures from a moving train. The two innovative parts of the proposed sensor are (1) a rugged four wavelenght high frequency sensor that accurately measures the natural radiation emitted by the rails, and (2) an advanced algorithm that provides a emissivity compensated temperature from these ...

Composite in-field pipeline repair technology is proposed that builds upon recent advances in composite repair techniques. Alternative composite materials and processes are proposed that will substantially ease in-field repair and reduce the time personnel are exposed to potentially adverse environmental conditions. Also proposed is a sensor leak detection system that can be optionally installed ...