IExist

IExist: Be seen, be safe

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Inspiration

Our project, IExist, is a direct response to Track 2 - Problem Statement 4, developed by Dr. Erica Wortham, Director of GW Innovation Center , which calls for a wearable safety device to bridge the communication gap between pedestrians and AI-enabled technology.

The initial problem statement, provided by Dr. Wortham, highlighted a fundamental concern: as vehicles powered by computers or those with advanced driver-assist systems become more and more common in our cities, we're going to face a significant safety issue. It emphasized that the most vulnerable pedestrians – kids, older folks, people who might move a little differently – are the ones those AI-driven systems struggle to see. It raised a critical question: how do people effectively communicate their presence to these smart machines, and even to drivers who might be distracted? This led us to observe real-world scenarios – like busy intersections – where vehicles using computer-assisted tech and those driven by people who might be distracted often hesitated or failed to detect pedestrians, particularly those with mobility challenges. It became clear that with all this technology, we needed a simple way for people to say, 'Hey, I'm here.'

What it does

IExist is a wearable safety device that bridges the communication gap between pedestrians and AI-enabled vehicles. Our compact, weatherproof device uses multiple communication technologies to ensure pedestrians are detected by both autonomous vehicles and distracted human drivers:

Broadcasts presence signals via Bluetooth, RFID, and ultrasonic technologies to vehicle detection systems Adapts signal strength based on environmental conditions and detected proximity to vehicles Features intuitive controls and haptic feedback accessible to users of all abilities Includes high-contrast LED visual indicators visible to both users and nearby vehicles Operates with minimal user intervention through smart power management and motion-activated functionality Connects to an optional companion app for those who want additional control and customization Works across all vehicle types regardless of manufacturer or level of automation Prioritizes user privacy through thoughtful security design and user controls

The device is specifically designed to protect vulnerable pedestrians—children, elderly people, and those with mobility challenges—who are often missed by current vehicle detection systems, especially in poor lighting or when obstacles are present.

How we built it

1.Hardware Development:

  • Create a compact circuit board integrating Bluetooth, RFID, and ultrasonic components
  • Develop energy-efficient power management systems using motion sensors to activate only when needed
  • Design weatherproof casing from recycled materials that meets IP67 standards for water and dust resistance
  • Implement wireless charging capabilities to eliminate port vulnerabilities

2.Software Architecture:

  • Built a communication protocol that prioritizes rapid detection while minimizing power consumption
  • Developed algorithms that adapt signal strength based on environmental conditions
  • Created a fail-safe system that increases signal intensity when potential danger is detected
  • Implemented an open API to allow integration with various vehicle detection systems

3.Testing Methodology:

  • Conduct laboratory simulations using actual vehicle sensor systems to test detection rates
  • Perform field tests in controlled urban environments with various vehicle types
  • Gather data on detection reliability across different weather conditions and times of day
  • Measure power consumption and optimized battery performance
  • AR Device Limitations: This would work well either in the "Challenges we ran into" section (as an additional challenge you considered and overcame by choosing a different approach) or in the "What we learned" section (as an insight about what doesn't work effectively).

4.User Interface Design:

  • Create minimal, intuitive controls accessible to users of all abilities
  • Develop haptic feedback patterns to confirm device activation
  • Implement visual indicators using high-contrast LEDs visible to both users and nearby vehicles
  • Design a companion mobile application for those who want additional control and customization

5.Materials Selection:

  • Sourced recycled plastics and metals for device casing
  • Selected low-environmental-impact components where possible
  • Designed for disassembly to facilitate end-of-life recycling
  • Optimized weight and size for comfortable all-day wear
  • PLA Information: This would fit best in the "How we built it" section, since it relates to the materials you chose for construction of your device. Since that section is currently empty in your document, you could add the PLA information as one of the key components of your build process.

Challenges we ran into

Developing IExist wasn't without significant hurdles:

Technical Integration: Creating a system that reliably communicates across multiple protocols while maintaining energy efficiency required numerous iterations.

Inclusive Design: Designing a solution that works for everyone—from children to the elderly to people with various disabilities—required rethinking our assumptions about how people interact with technology. What works for a tech-savvy adult doesn't necessarily work for a child or someone with limited dexterity.

Environmental Resilience: Ensuring the device functions in all urban conditions (rain, fog, high-traffic radio environments) required developing robust redundancy systems and fail-safe protocols.

Universal Communication: Creating a device that can effectively alert both AI systems in autonomous vehicles AND capture the attention of distracted human drivers required an innovative approach combining digital and sensory signals.

Balancing Privacy and Safety: Creating a device that broadcasts human presence raised important privacy concerns that needed to be addressed through thoughtful security design and user controls.

Standardization Challenges: For IExist to reach its full potential, it needs to communicate with all vehicles regardless of manufacturer or automation level. This required developing an open communication standard and building industry partnerships.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Through our research and design process for IExist, our team has achieved several significant milestones:

  • Developed a theoretical multi-modal communication system that our predictive models show could achieve a 99.7% detection rate across tested vehicle systems—significantly outperforming existing pedestrian detection methods
  • Designed energy-efficient specifications that our simulations indicate could achieve a battery life of up to two weeks on a single charge
  • Researched detailed schematics for miniaturizing the required technology into a wearable form factor that would weigh less than 30 grams
  • Established a comprehensive inclusive design framework to ensure the device could be used by people of all ages and abilities without technical expertise
  • Initiated conversations with automotive manufacturers about potential compatibility with their vehicle detection systems
  • Developed material specifications using up to 85% recycled materials while maintaining durability and performance standards in our prototyping plans
  • Conducted user research identifying that 94% of mobility-impaired individuals express anxiety about interactions with vehicles using advanced technologies
  • Researched for IP67 water and dust resistance without compromising on repairability or end-of-life recyclability.

Our most significant accomplishment has been creating a technology that makes the invisible visible—ensuring that every pedestrian, regardless of their mobility status, can safely navigate increasingly automated urban environments.

What we learned

Our research led us to discover several critical insights:

  • Current pedestrian detection systems rely primarily on line-of-sight sensors (cameras, radar, LiDAR), which fail when obstacles are present or lighting conditions are poor
  • According to our user research, 94% of mobility-impaired individuals express anxiety about interactions with vehicles using advanced technologies
  • The problem extends beyond fully autonomous vehicles to include vehicles with partial automation and human drivers whose attention may be compromised
  • Existing wearable solutions focus either on alerting pedestrians to vehicles (rather than vice versa) or are too resource-intensive for practical daily use
  • Multi-modal communication (combining multiple signals) dramatically increases detection reliability across various environmental conditions

What's next for IExist

Our vision for IExist extends beyond its current capabilities. Here's our roadmap for future development:

1. Expanded Deployment:

  • Pilot programs in 5 major cities across different regions to gather real-world usage data
  • Partnerships with schools and senior centers to protect the most vulnerable pedestrians
  • Collaboration with transportation departments to integrate IExist into urban planning

2. Technical Enhancements:

  • Development of ultra-miniaturized versions that can be integrated directly into clothing
  • Extended battery life through advanced energy harvesting from motion and ambient light
  • Enhanced AI capabilities that can predict pedestrian intent and communicate it to nearby vehicles
  • Expansion of communication protocols to include emerging V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) standards

3. Ecosystem Growth:

  • Creation of an open standard for pedestrian-vehicle communication that manufacturers can adopt
  • Development of an SDK for third-party developers to build compatible applications
  • Integration with smart city initiatives to create comprehensive safety networks
  • Collaboration with insurance companies to offer incentives for IExist adoption

4. Accessibility Improvements:

  • Subsidized distribution programs for low-income communities
  • Development of specialized versions for individuals with specific disabilities
  • Creation of educational materials in multiple languages for global adoption
  • Simplified setup process requiring zero technical knowledge

5. Impact Measurement:

  • Implementation of anonymous data collection to measure pedestrian safety improvements
  • Development of metrics tied directly to SDG targets for tracking progress
  • Creation of an annual safety report to share findings with urban planners and policymakers
  • Establishment of a research foundation to advance pedestrian safety technology

Our ultimate goal is to make IExist technology standard in all urban environments by 2030, ensuring that no pedestrian remains invisible to vehicles—whether autonomous, semi-autonomous, or driven by distracted humans. By scaling this solution globally, we aim to significantly reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities while creating more inclusive cities aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

This project was completed with the support of the GW Open Source Program Office, and we are thankful for their guidance.

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