NAVI INFO

Astronauts onboard the ISS have a hard time finding objects in storage.Storage modules are organized with a rack system that houses Cargo Transfer Bags (CTB). Inside each CTB there are many smaller bags. Because everything on the ISS is stored in the CTBs there are over 500 identical CTBs. The bags are sorted numerically as are the items inside.

NAVI is a wrist worn device that points astronauts towards the item that they are looking for.As astronatus input the code of the item that they are looking for, a green LED lights up for each button press. When the full code has been inputed, the green lights turn off and the visual feedback process begins. As the astronaut gets closer to the desired CTB, the lights begin to strobe and when the item is retrieved the device turns green.

Designed and engineered using 3D printing, laser cutting, magnets, Arduino parts, and coding. The top shell is designed with the keypad on the top of the device and the LED on the front. The LightBlue Bean relays a signal to a node within the CTB. The signal strength is then turned into a RGB value and displayed via the NeoPixel Strip.

During the fourth round of testing we recorded and timed users finding items within mock Cargo Transfer Bags. We arranged 10 numbered bags in a grid and tested 28 people with and without NAVI. Each was given a numbered item to find in the bags. While wearing NAVI performance improved by 34%. It is extremely important for astronauts to not waste any time while in orbit because it is physically and mentally harmful.