VibeFrame
Issak Sainz, Angela Rivelli
School of Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: David Quintero
This project proposes the design and development of VibeFrame, a wearable assistive device intended to improve environmental awareness for individuals with severe or total hearing loss. The system integrates audio sensing with vibrational feedback to convert environmental audio signals into directional vibrations that guide the user toward the source of a sound. Multiple microphones are positioned along the frame of glasses to detect ambient noise and determine the relative direction and intensity of the sound. When the detected sound exceeds a defined threshold, a microcontroller activates vibration motors mounted within the glasses, allowing the user to perceive both the presence and approximate direction of the sound through tactile feedback. Additional sensors enhance contextual functionality, including a photoresistor to adjust sensitivity between daytime and nighttime environments and a limit switch to detect whether the device is being worn and manage power consumption. The prototype aims to demonstrate an accessible, low-cost mechatronic solution that improves situational awareness for the hearing-impaired.