Project Title

Audio-to-Haptic Directional Alert Band

Name	GitHub
Ahmed El Dessouky Hafez	https://github.com/AhmedDessouky
Adham Mohamed Hassan	https://github.com/adham-khalil

Github Repo: https://github.com/adham-khalil/Audio-to-Haptic-Directional-Alert-Band

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1. The Proposal

Abstract / Elevator Pitch:

Individuals with severe hearing impairment often face difficulty detecting and localizing critical environmental sounds such as approaching vehicles, emergency sirens, or car horns. This limitation poses significant safety risks in dynamic environments.

The Audio-to-Haptic Directional Alert Band is a wearable embedded system that enhances situational awareness by converting directional audio cues into intuitive haptic feedback. The system uses multiple microphones positioned around the user to capture sound from different directions. By comparing sound intensity across these microphones, it estimates the direction of dominant sound sources and conveys this information through localized vibration motors.

The system operates in real time using an RTOS-based architecture, enabling concurrent sensing, processing, and actuation with guaranteed responsiveness. By integrating embedded sensing, decision-making, and human-machine interaction, this system provides a practical assistive solution that improves user safety and awareness.

Project Objectives & Scope:

Minimum Viable Product (MVP):

• Capture ambient sound using multiple microphones
• Estimate direction of sound based on relative intensity across sensors
• Generate localized haptic feedback corresponding to detected direction
• Vary vibration intensity based on sound amplitude
• Implement RTOS-based multitasking for system operation

Stretch Goals:

• Detect and prioritize specific emergency sounds using frequency filtering
• Integrate Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for configuration and monitoring
• Implement adaptive sensitivity thresholds
• Add battery monitoring and low-power modes
• Improve directional accuracy through calibration

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2. System Architecture

2.1 High-Level Block Diagram:

2.2 Detailed Design

To be completed.

2.3 Hardware/Software Partitioning

To be completed.

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3. Hardware Design

To be completed.

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4. Software Design

To be completed.

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5. Integration and Testing

To be completed.

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6. Results and Evaluation

To be completed.

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7. Project Management

7.1 Division of Labor:

• Adham Hassan:

  • System architecture design
  • RTOS implementation and task scheduling
  • Signal processing and direction detection

• Ahmed El Dessouky:

  • Hardware integration (microphones, motors, power system)
  • Haptic feedback control
  • Testing and debugging

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7.2 Timeline:

Date	Milestone	Deliverable
Tue, Apr 14	Team formation	Team submitted.
Wed, Apr 15	Proposal presentation	5 to 7 min in-class presentation of project scope and plan.
Mon, Apr 20	Wiki/page setup	Wiki page live with approved proposal content.
Wed, Apr 29	Progress demo	Microphones reading audio levels and vibration motors responding to detected direction. Presentation + live demo.
Wed, May 6	Integration update	Full system integration (audio sensing + direction detection + haptic feedback). Wiki updated with testing results and remaining issues.
Wed, May 13	Final demo	Final presentation, full live demo of directional haptic feedback system, complete codebase, polished wiki.

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7.3 Risks and Mitigation

To be completed.