Girls In Control - Space Apps Challenge

Girls In Control| Human Factors

Human Factors

The emergence and spread of infectious diseases, like COVID-19, are on the rise. Can you identify patterns between population density and COVID-19 cases and identify factors that could help predict hotspots of disease spread?

Control B. - Social Distance Monitoring Bracelet

Summary

The challenge chosen by the team was number 9, "Human Factors", which is based on identifying factors that can help predict critical points of the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. We identified that some cultures, such as Latin Americans, have a predisposition of interacting closer to other people. From this, we decided to develop a bracelet with the ability to connect to other bracelets nearby, identifying people's invasion in the minimal distance allowed area (6 feet) and warning them with a sound and vibration, thus helping to prevent infection by proximity in a subtle way and for the purpose of passing on a general idea, rather than the need for an oral warning.

How We Addressed This Challenge

Our main impact is to reduce the propagation related to human factors.

The lack of awareness when it comes to distance is a problem that circulates in cities. Even with a variety of information and recommendations, not all individuals respect it. With that, it is thought that it is necessary to develop a device to avoid crowding, as well as the approach of people in public environments. Preventing the spread of more people will prevent future pandemics.

How We Developed This Project

We choose this challenge due to the fact that different parts of the world have different numbers of cases, but that goes beyond getting infected by contact and respiratory droplets, it also involves cultural issues and different human factors. Through researching at the SEDAC-NASA database, we conclude latin american countries show a high COVID-19 spread rate despite low demographic density. And that happens because of their culture aspects, the way the population behaves influences how a virus spreads, Latin Americans are known for being warm-hearted people, what makes social distancing very hard to be respected. Because of living in a Latin country, we are able to see people struggling with distancing. That is why we had the idea of helping people to be cautiously apart without being rude to them.

Our team used Onshape and GrabCAD softwares for 3D drawing, Adobe Illustrator, Canva and Flaticon for marketing, Arduino IDE for coding and excel with SEDAC-NASA for data analysis.

At first, we were thinking of using a thermal sensor inside the bracelet, that way not everyone would be needed to use it. But, after doing some research, we found out that we require another kind of technology to be able to prevent people agglomeration. Thus, we decided to use a radiofrequency emissor and receptor in each bracelet, allowing us to notify the bracelet user if somebody is transpassing the minimum distance allowed between people. We also thought about calculating the 6 ft distance using GPS location, but, soon, we put away that idea, because we think that it is invasion of someone’s privacy.

After all, we were able to develop an incredible solution using different softwares and enjoying everybody’s talents and skills.