RED RoverA following, motorized trolley platform

YellowB

Why?

• 25% of men over 65 experience lower back pain1

• 35% of women over 65 experience lower back pain1

• 30 million households in America whose head is older than 602

• 2.7 billion dollar industry for non-riding lawn, garden, and snow equipment3

Accuracy Error Cloud (±1% of Range)

Three ultrasonic range finders with 8” baseline

Sensitivity: -6dB at 15°

Range: 6” to 35ft

Minimum direction finding distance: 15”

Lessons LearnedCargo slides around

Must prevent outdoor elements from encumbering the drive train

Wheels need to be kept on the ground

7” tires are okay but larger types should be a bit better on soft terrain

Following distance should hinder rover running into heels

References

1. Health, United States, 2005 Report. Center for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus05.pdf

2. Global Market Information Database http://www.gmid.euromonitor.com

3. 2002 U.S. Economic census – Manufacturing Industry Series http://www.census.gov/prod/ec02/ec0231i333112.pdf

4. Older Americans, Update 2006 . Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics http://www.agingstats.gov

5. The State of Aging and Health in America 2004. Merck Institute of Aging & Health. http://cdc.gov/aging