For the instruments and controls BAE course, our class was given an outline for a course project. We had to propose a project of any subject, but it had to follow guidelines as far as what was included in the design. The constraints were things like including a certain number of actuators or switches. Following the guidelines, we were to choose a partner and come up with an idea for a project. My partner and I came up with the idea of a smart boat. This idea could be implemented in many areas, but the one we focused on was in the rowing sport. We wanted to use instruments to gauge aspects of an individual’s technique when rowing as well as the overall team technique in hopes to enlighten the athletes and allow for improvement. We designed a system that contained several components: a level using the change in voltage on a potentiometer, a GPS system to monitor speed and distance, an LED output attached to the GPS to light up after a predetermined distance had been reached, a stroke sensor to count and determine the stroke rate using a magnetic contact switch, and a force sensor to determine weight distribution of the rower. The presentation we submitted is attached below.

This project taught me a lot about adjusting and coming up with alternatives throughout the design process. We had only two of the five components that worked perfect, the force and stroke sensor. Each of the other components we had to make some kind of change to ensure we could get the data that we needed. The GPS sensor was a small, cheap one that we were unable to get to work, but luckily, we were able to come up with a complete replacement idea by using an existing tool in the rowing sport to still obtain the data we hoped for. The level system we designed worked long enough to get readings but broke after the trial run, which taught us about trial and error in materials and designing the product to withstand any conditions you put it through for testing and everyday use. The force sensor worked well and was one that brought a lot of interest to our project. The way we designed it was not one that anyone involved had heard of but worked extremely well. This helped me feel good about creating and designing plans on my own even if it’s something that hasn’t been attempted before.