Welcome Back to Project: EnAble! (for now 😉)
Hello everyone and welcome back to Project: EnAble. In my last update back in December 2024, I mentioned that work was coming along slowly, but I have been making lots of changes. Well, I’m happy to share some of those changes now!
New Project: EnAble Android App Release
Once the first beta version of v4 is released, I will be releasing a new Project: EnAble Android App. This app will have a MUCH better (and needed) user experience. Alongside that will be compatibility with not 1, but 2 Project: EnAble devices! Customized settings are still here, but now you can customize each finger (or sensor) of the Project: EnAble device(s). Here is a list of some new features:
- Better user interface experience
- Compatibility with up to 2 Project: EnAble prosthetic devices
- Customizability for up to 5 sensors (index, middle, ring, pinky and thumb – if with hand)
- Guest Login Experience
- Less Data Tracking
- Stronger security for those with accounts
- Guest Login Experience allows for ON DEVICE ONLY data storage for more privacy
Programming </>
The programming for Project: EnAble v4 will mostly brand-new code. You will see some similarities to v3, however it will be mostly indistinguishable. Here is a list of some improvements for v4’s code.
- Smaller files
- Better programming practices
- More customizability
- Physical and Bluetooth control simultaneously
- Relies more on electrical engineering rather than programming
- New files include start.py, control.py and main.py
- start.py- starts the entire project. Can take data from bluetooth.py and physical buttons and decide which functions in main.py to run
- main.py- main.py is most closely related to v3.py from Project: EnAble v3.0. main.py is responsible for running crucial function such as taking in data from the MicroBit, analyzing motion and moving motors.
- control.py- is a more programmer-friendly methods class. This file contains crucial control functions such as move_servo(), read_fsr_sensitivity(), check_start(), and cancel_all(). These are the main functions that main.py will call.
Prosthetic Hand Design
For v4 I have decided on creating a more “conventional” design for the hand. I took real-life measurements of the hand including digits, wrist, length, width and depth. I then modeled the hand based on the average measurements found.
I focused on creating a more smooth transitional design while focusing on accuracy. The entire hand was created in one file using multiple bodies. This ensures that each part has exact measurement when compared to other parts. It also makes a cool looking “assembly”.
As of right now, I only have the hand and motor box completed for the first prototype. Hopefully I can get these printed soon and will be able to start some basic testing with them.
The next step after this is to create the control box for the Raspberry Pi, Micro:Bit, battery pack and other features I may add. This might be a bit before I am done.
Here is a sneak peek of the first prototype design
Thanks
Thank you for your interest in my project. If you would like to support me, I am always looking for recommendations. You can also donate to my project here!