1. Final project review presentation MSD P Visual and Auditory Object Recognition testing apparatus & objects
Andrew Chorney- Project Manager
Michael Goldberg- Lead Engineer
Timothy Bukowski- Industrial Engineer
Mahmudul Khan- Electrical Engineer
Martin Martinez- Mechanical Engineer
Jason Hess- Industrial Engineer

2. To assess the beluga whale’s visual and auditory perception abilities
Project Description
Primary Objective:
Design an apparatus that will be used to present three-dimensional objects in a match-to-sample procedure
Purpose:
To assess the beluga whale’s visual and auditory perception abilities
Scope of Project:
1 Testing Apparatus
2 sets of 42 Target Objects
Testing Procedure
Supporting Documentation
Budget: $3500

3. Primary Design Criteria
Operator and whale safe
Able to block whale and trainer’s view of both object sets
Quiet operation
24” total design width
Durable & weatherproof
1-3sec target time between object set display, 5 sec max
Corrosion-proof
No external power
5lb max object weight
Compact and mobile
1-person operation

4. Final Concept

5. Final Design

6. Apparatus is assembled Objects are attached
Apparatus Operation
Apparatus is assembled
Objects are attached
Apparatus is rotated over the pool
Apparatus is lowered into underwater testing position
Sample object is lowered
Sample object is raised
Choice set is lowered
Choice set is raised
Apparatus is raised into attachment position
Apparatus is rotated over the beach
Objects are removed

7. Difficulty Set Number Size Material Shape
Objects
Difficulty
Set
Number
Size
Material
Shape
Easy 18
Vary
Intermediate A 4
Same B C
Difficult D E F

8. Set A- (Approval Pending) Set B
Object Sets
Set A- (Approval Pending)
Set B
Easy Set
Set D- (Rebuild Required)
Set C
Set E
Set F

9. System Testing Results: Pool
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 4
Trial 5
Average
Filling Tub
53.6
36.8
45.2
47.5
41.6
44.94
Emptying Tub
457
462
450
487
455
462.2
Setup
602
581
591
624
596
598.8
Changing sets
53.5
51.6
38.9
45.6
47.8
47.48
Raising/lowering Objects
6.2
6.7
4.8
5.5
4.9
5.62
Disassemble
589
621
605
599
Note: All times are in seconds.

10. System Testing Results: On-site
Tested in Mystic Aquarium on 5/15/09
Apparatus functioned as designed
Trainers examined apparatus and objects for whale safety
Trainers approved of the design and its functionality
Recommendations from trainers:
Add labels for sample and choice pulleys
Ensure double blind test by creating a shield to block view of experimenter from the whale
Tether apparatus to beach
Replace top shield
Replace coated wires
Adjust to swing apparatus to left instead of right
Add ability to roll up shields out of the way
Ensure all objects are whale safe, i.e. no sharp edges

11. Customer Needs Checklist: Apparatus and Objects
Level of Importance
Customer Needs 
CN1 1
Operator and Whale Safe
CN2 2
Minimal Disturbance to Whale
CN3 3
Durable
CN4 4
Easily Replaceable Parts
CN5 5
Visually Pleasing

12. Customer Needs Checklist: Apparatus
Level of Importance
Customer Needs 
CN6 1
Portable
CN7 2
Stable on uneven surface
CN8 3
Nondestructive to beach
CN9 4
Preferably – no external power required
CN10 5
Rapid set up

13. Customer Needs Checklist: Operation of Apparatus
Level of Importance
Customer Needs 
CN11 1
Hidden operation (Data Collection)
CN12 2
Non-hidden operation (Training Phase)
CN13 3
Flexibility of Object Positioning
CN14 4
Single Person Operation
CN15 5
Display above and below water
CN16 6
Rapid set up
CN17 7
Adjustable interval between sample and choice set

14. Customer Needs Checklist: Objects
Level of Importance
Customer Needs 
CN18 1
Variety of objects to meet specified criteria
CN19 2
Sink in Water
CN20 3
Work well with apparatus

15. Technical Specifications Checklist
Importance
Specification
unit
Marginal value
Ideal value 
ES1
High
Max. width of apparatus in 35
ES2
Max. weight of apparatus, piece lb 40
ES3
Display height above water
0-2
ES4
Display height below water
6-24
ES5
Distance from pool edge 12
ES6
Persons required for operation
person 1
ES7
Interval btwn sample & choice set
Sec 5
ES8
Objects must sink
Y/N Y
ES9
Min. size of objects 6

16. Technical Specifications Checklist
Importance
Specification
unit
Marginal value
Ideal value 
ES10
Medium
Max. length of apparatus, set up in 92 36
ES11
Max. height of apparatus, set up 48
ES12
Rebuild cost $
<$2000
<$1500
ES13
Low
Time to set up
min 15
5-10
ES14
Highly custom/ long lead parts required for build %
<5% 0%
ES15
Apparatus and object usage reliability hr
100
150
ES16
High
Max. weight of object lb 5
ES17
Apparatus and Objects Resistant to Corrosion mo 24

17. Objective Project Evaluation: Success/Failure
Project was a success
Approved apparatus concept was designed and built successfully
Final built design was approved by customer and whale trainers
Objects were created based on customer and aquarium’s criteria
Both apparatus and objects function as designed

18. THANK YOU!