Smart Bracelet:
 

The Smart Bracelet is a lightweight wearable device intended to aid the visually impaired in identifying food items that are tagged with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. The system prototype was created as part of a semester long HCI group project. The project involved task analysis, identification of domain space, research into the feasilibity and advancement of RFID technology, paper prototyping, and physical prototyping with a "Wizard of Oz" program that simulated actual response of the Bracelet to an RFID tag. Finally, the system prototype was tested with visually impaired users at the Center for the Visually Impaired in Atlanta.

The Bracelet contains an RFID sensor which detects signals from RFID tags in close range. The system accesses data about that tag and audibly speaks information to the user. Users can choose between basic information (name of product only) or expanded information (name of product, nutritional information, and expiration date). Users also have the option of recording data onto their own customizable RFID tags.

A paper has been submitted to CHI 2004 describing the system and its creation:
P. Bhawalkar, U. Dua, R. Hamburger, L. Inman, C. Jamal. "A Food Management System for the Visually Impaired." January, 2004.

Anival:  
Anival is a new project I just joined in Spring 2004. I am part of a group studying the way middle schoolers collaborate on solving problems which are ill-formed, difficult, and creative. To study these issues, we are creating an online animation festival with a competition at the end. I am responsible for the festival's Web site design and usability.