Make a Communication Aid To Help People Show Their Feelings

Abstract

Have you ever tried to communicate with a baby or toddler who cannot talk yet? What about another kid or an adult who cannot speak due to a medical condition? There are many ways we can communicate without speaking, like writing or using sign language. We can also use technology to help make it easier to communicate. In this project you will program your own communication aid to help someone who cannot speak show their emotions or simple messages. 

Summary

Areas of Science

Computer Science
Human Biology & Health

Difficulty

Method

Engineering Design Process

Time Required

Short (2-5 days)

Prerequisites

None

Material Availability

This project requires a micro:bit and a computer with an internet connection and a USB port. See materials list for details.

Cost

Low ($20 - $50)

Safety

No issues

Credits

Ben Finio, PhD, Science Buddies

Science Buddies is committed to creating content authored by scientists and educators. Learn more about our process and how we use AI.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEciiScv3Gw

Objective

Program a communication aid to show emotions or messages.

Introduction

There are many ways we can replace speech or writing as forms of communication. Things or devices that help people communicate are called communication aids. Some are low-tech, like a simple printed piece of paper with pictures that a user can point at (Figure 1). Others are electronic devices that can generate speech (speech-generating devices) depending on which button is pushed (Figure 2). In general, these devices fall into the category of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Augmentative communication devices help supplement existing communication methods but do not replace them completely. Alternative communication devices can completely replace speech or writing. 

Image Credit: Quadell / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Figure 1. A simple picture board for alternative communication.

Image Credit: Poule / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Figure 2. An electronic speech generating device.

These devices are used by people in all stages of life for many different reasons. People can have trouble with verbal communication due to a variety of medical conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, anxiety disorders, aphasia, speech disorders, stroke, or traumatic brain injury, although individuals' abilities can vary widely. Some people may be able to speak but be hard to understand or have difficulty communicating, and some might be completely nonverbal, or unable to speak at all. Not everyone can push buttons or point with their fingers, so some communication aids also work with different inputs, like eye movements or hand gestures. 

In this project you will make your own communication aid using a tiny programmable computer board called a micro:bit (note the spelling - "micro:bit," not "micro bit" or "microbit"). The micro:bit has a variety of inputs, like buttons and an electronic sensor called an accelerometer that can detect when the micro:bit shakes or tilts. It also has a buzzer and grid of LEDs that you can use as outputs to play sounds or display or shapes. By writing a program to make the outputs react to the inputs, you can design your own communication aid that lets someone show messages or emotions. 

The procedure for this project will show you how to make a basic communication aid that shows a smiling face when you press one button, a frowning face when you press another button, and a message when you shake the micro:bit. However, you can program your communication aid to do whatever you want!

Terms and Concepts

• Communication aid
• Speech-generating device
• Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
• Verbal communication
• Nonverbal
• Input
• micro:bit
• Button
• Sensor
• Accelerometer
• Buzzer
• LED
• Output

Questions

• What are some reasons someone might need to use a communication aid?
• What are some different types of communication aids?
• What are some examples of inputs and outputs for a communication aid?
• What do you want to program your communication aid to do?
• Do you want to make a communication aid for someone with a specific condition? What types of inputs and outputs might make sense for someone with that condition?

Materials and Equipment

• micro:bit Go Bundle. This kit contains everything you will need to get started working with micro:bit:
  • micro:bit board
  • micro-USB cable
  • 2xAAA battery holder
  • AAA batteries (2)
• Computer with internet access and USB port

This project follows the Engineering Design Process. Confirm with your teacher if this is acceptable for your project, and review the steps before you begin.

1. If this is your first time using a micro:bit, follow the Getting Started instructions on the micro:bit website to learn how to use your micro:bit and connect it to your computer. 
2. Decide what programming language you will use for your micro:bit:
   1. If you are new to coding, we recommend using Microsoft MakeCode to program your micro:bit. MakeCode is a graphical programming language where you make computer programs using colored blocks of code instead of a text editor. The example code in this procedure uses MakeCode. We recommend following a few of the MakeCode tutorials before you proceed.
   2. You can also program your micro:bit in Python, JavaScript, and Scratch. You may prefer this approach if you already have programming experience in one of these languages. See the Let's Code page for more details.
3. Make a plan for your communication aid. What you program is up to you, but here are just a few suggestions. You can learn about other micro:bit input and output options on the Features page. 
   1. What outputs do you want to use?
      1. You can use the LED grid to display icons that indicate emotions, like hearts or smiley faces.
      2. You can use the LED grid to display scrolling text messages.
      3. You can use the buzzer to play sounds or music.
   2. What inputs do you want to use to control the outputs?
      1. The micro:bit has two buttons. You can press them individually or at the same time, giving three possible combinations.
      2. The micro:bit also has a touch-sensitive logo that acts like an extra button.
      3. The accelerometer can detect a variety of motions, like shaking or tilting the micro:bit.
4. Write the code for your communication aid. Figure 3 shows an example program that will do the following:
   1. Show a smiley face when button A is pressed.
   2. Show a frowning face when button B is pressed.
   3. How the text "Hello!" when you shake the microbit.
5. To build this program:
   1. Drag the on button A pressed block out from the Input menu.
   2. Drag a show icon block out from the Basic menu.
      1. Snap it inside the on button A pressed block.
      2. Use the drop-down menu to select the smiley face icon.
   3. Drag the on button B pressed block out from the Input menu.
   4. Drag a show icon block out from the Basic menu.
      1. Snap it inside the on button B pressed block.
      2. Use the drop-down menu to select the frowning face icon.
   5. Drag an on shake block out from the Input menu.
   6. Drag a show string block out from the Basics menu.
      1. Snap it inside the on shake block.
      2. Change the message to whatever you want.
   7. Note that you do not need to add anything inside the on start or forever blocks.

Image Credit: Ben Finio / Science Buddies

Figure 3. Code for a simple AAC device.

6. Test your communication aid using the in-browser simulator.
   1. You can click the A and B buttons. Make sure the correct icons appear.
   2. Since you cannot physically shake the micro:bit in your browser, there is a "shake" button that is not present on the real micro:bit. Click the button and make sure the message displays.
7. Download the code and test it on your physical micro:bit. 
8. What improvements or changes can you make to your communication aid? See the Variations section for more ideas.

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Global Goals

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) are a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

This project explores topics key to Reduced Inequalities: Reduce inequality within and among countries.

Variations

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