Initiator and First Author

Humanity’s greatest accomplishment will be its expansion into a multi-planetary species. For mankind to achieve this goal, we must extend our knowledge in the processes involved with conducting space exploration. Manned missions conducted in EV (extravehicular) environments have added dangers and risks, including partial or full loss of communication with ground control or their space crew. Following technological advancements, there has been a rise of human-robot teams operating autonomously for such precarious missions.

This paper describes several approaches in human-robot interactions, and then focuses more specifically on the ability of autonomous robots to remotely engage with their human teammates in deep space through diverse haptic interactions to enhance safety and spatial awareness. In addition a conceptual prototype is presented to demonstrate this HRI medium using a haptic feedback system embedded in the space suit of an astronaut.

My paper was accepted to SpaceCHI, an HCI workshop for space exploration hosted by MIT. It was a unique experience to participate in a week of virtual activities that included brainstorming future space solutions, networking and an inclusive talk with former astronaut Jeff Hoffman. Excited for the future of space!

Deep Space; Human-Robot Interaction; Haptic Feedback; Space Exploration. 

• Accepted Paper as Virtual Poster in MIT Media Lab’s SpaceCHI 2021
  https://spacechi2021.media.mit.edu/accepted-talks-posters/
• Featured in Times of Israel
  https://www.timesofisrael.com/spotlight/idcs-ma-in-hci/

Co-initiator. Project was completed with Oran Goral in which design, coding, assembly, execution, presentation, video editing, etc were mutually shared responsibilities.

The WeSync is a sleek laser-cut box reminiscent of an Apple product containing an arduino, two heartbeat sensors and LEDs that guides pairs to sync their heart rates. WeSync can be used as a compatibility activity, a tool for cardio workouts or to simply promote a unique connection between two people. 

Each user places their finger on a heartbeat sensor and the sampled BPM coordinates to different BPM ranges. A higher BPM displays a red LED through the laser cut box for that user, while a user with lower BPM is depicted by a blue LED. The WeSync will continue to sample both subjects until the BPMs are within close ranges and during synchronization will trigger an 8×8 LED matrix to display a rainbow animation. 

 One of my favorite projects I’ve worked on! Aside from being the perfect project to combine all of my newly learned prototyping skills, it was inspiring to witness enthusiastic classmates engage with our own creation. This ultimately resurfaced my passion in working with biosensors and using biofeedback to connect people toward positive social behaviors. Due to the time constraint we were unable to conduct a research study using the prototype but given the opportunity I would be glad to initiate this.

C++ programming, Embedded systems design with Arduino, Laser Cutter, Biosensors, Adobe Premiere

Received ‘A’ for project and Creative Prototyping Course

Co-initiator, NeuroPitch presenter

NeuroMarket is a blockchain-powered biosensor data marketplace with policy-based data verification through non-fungible tokens (NFT) to provide a trusted exchange of neurological data between creators and businesses.

In order to develop quality BCI sensors, applications and services, a large amount of clean data must be obtained. Quality data is gold and is a significant bottleneck in the ability for the global neurotech market to move forward in its systems and applications. Currently there is a scarcity of data (such as EEG) in that much of the data is entrenched and kept solely within the database of its collector. There is also a lack of incentive of creators to invest the time and energy in producing biosensory data.

• Developing a diverse database of high quality EEG signals for the use of research, validation, quality tests, R&D and medical solutions.
• Tackling the issues of personal data ownership and management in clinical and commercial research which often is sold or changes hands without consent and compensation to the original participant. 
• Connecting participants who produce biosensor data, and customers who purchase the data for their needs

• Biosignal data will be produced independently by free will and full consent of individuals who wish to contribute to the world of research and enjoy the financial benefits of sharing their clinical data property. 

• Instead of using centralized services such as a specific clinic’s database, the data can be stored in an online marketplace with non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that can interact directly with the creator and purchaser through smart contracts.

• Smart contracts secure the ownership of the data and allow credit and payment to the creator as the data is shared among different buyers. For example 5% of the sale price is automatically credited to the creator during the transaction.

• The supply and demand between creators and buyers in the marketplace will help determine which type of data are highest in demand and from which BCI devices. This will help validate quality BCI devices over the more gimmicky devices and promote participant recruitment and the supply of biosensory data for specific research opportunities as they arise.

This project stemmed from the concern that data ownership, especially within the field of neurological data, is not secure and transparent in its management after collection during a clinical or commercial study. This hackathon was fast-paced and helped develop my skills in leading and coordination of tasks with my two teammates. It also honed my presentation skills in pitching a startup product and business plan. 

This project gave me more experience working with BCIs, conducting a literature review of EEG data usage in clinical and commercial environments, understanding blockchain technology in its ability to provide data ownership, conducting a TAM (total addressable market) analysis for neurotech, creating a business plan, model and go-to-market strategy and pitching live on stage in front of judges.

Awarded first place among 14 teams in NeuroPitch (2022), a brain-computer hackathon helping shape the future of neurotech.