Week 1 - THE Beginning
- muhammadsirajbilal
- Feb 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 3
This week marked the beginning of our final-year project journey with an introductory session led by Dr. Fehmida and Mr. Roshan. They gave us an in-depth overview of the module, including timelines, expectations, and deliverables for the following months. A key part of the lecture was a discussion of several research methodologies, with an emphasis on how each methodology can be used in our projects.
The Build, Model, and Experimental methodologies stood out to me as the most applicable to my project. The Build methodology focusses on the design and development of my device's hardware and software. The Model methodology will be applied during the development of algorithms for classifying skill levels and providing feedback, whereas the Experimental methodology will be required for testing the device with participants and determining its accuracy.
Mr. Roshan also introduced us to the First-Cut Proposal form, which allows us to define our project's goal, objectives, and scope. He discussed how this document will help us refine our project ideas and successfully communicate them to our supervisors. Following the workshop, we were instructed to contact our supervisors for an introductory meeting to discuss our plans and ideas. We were also given the task of completing the First-Cut Proposal form and starting with our blogging website.
The Idea
For my final-year project, I decided to work on iCue, a Smart Billiards Gameplay Analyser and Recommender. The project aims to create a smart device that attaches to a billiards cue stick to track movement and collect gameplay data. This device, when combined with a mobile app, will analyse the data and provide real-time feedback on shot accuracy, alignment, and consistency. It will also classify users by skill level (beginning, intermediate, or advanced) and provide personalised advice to assist them improve their gameplay.
The Inspiration Behind iCue
As someone who grew up playing all kinds of sports, I have always been fascinated by the intersection of technology and sports, particularly how smart systems can enhance training and performance analysis. Billiards is a game of precision, yet most players lack access to advanced training tools that provide meaningful feedback on their shots. Existing solutions are often expensive or focus on isolated aspects such as shot alignment without giving a comprehensive picture of a player’s skill level. That’s what inspired me to develop iCue. With iCue, I hope to offer an affordable and user-friendly system that bridges this gap and helps players improve their skills using technology-driven insights.
The project will include hardware and software integration. Sensors will be used to track cue stick movements and provide data on shot alignment and cue stability. This data will be transmitted to a smartphone application, which will analyse it in real-time and provide feedback and suggestions for improvement. The plan is to build and prototype the device, develop the accompanying application, and test the system with users of varying skill levels to ensure accuracy and usability.
Approach:
Phase 1: Research and design the hardware device and select appropriate sensors for motion tracking.
Phase 2: Develop the mobile application with an intuitive interface for data analysis and feedback.
Phase 3: Develop the model to make predictions and recommendations.
Phase 4: Integrate the hardware and software.
Phase 5: Conduct user trials to test the device and gather feedback for improvements.
Methodology:
After evaluating different approaches, I found that the Build, Model, and Experimental methodologies were the best fit for iCue.
Build: Focuses on designing and developing the hardware and software components.
Model: Applies to creating algorithms that classify skill levels and provide real-time feedback.
Experimental: Involves user testing to evaluate the accuracy and effectiveness of the device.
Reflection
After spending a lot of time brainstorming and discussing with my supervisor, I finally settled on a project idea this week. Initially, I had various ideas, but after extensive research and careful consideration, I chose iCue because of its potential to make a significant difference in the billiards industry. I've also worked on my First-Cut Proposal attached below, which has helped me define the project's goals and strategy. Moving ahead, I intend to focus on the hardware prototype and finalise the app design.
This is just the beginning, and I’m excited to see how iCue can transform the way players train and improve their gameplay!
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