Challenge Summary
This project will design and develop an Apple iPad based application that provides astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) an efficient, rapid, and accurate method for tracking their dietary intake, while also tracking important nutrient data.
In this Face / Object Recognition Idea Generation contest (part 3 of 3 similar idea contests), we need you to survey the application and iPad library markets for software libraries or modules that can handle face / object recognition, and that may already deliver suitable face / object recognition functionality we could potentially use to shorten the project cost and timeline.
This contest offers an exciting opportunity to work on a high visibility project - the final product will be used by Astronauts on the International Space Station! We look forward to seeing your creative ideas!
Primary Goals
The goal of this project is to design and develop an Apple iPad based application that provides astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) an efficient, rapid, and accurate method for tracking their dietary intake, while also tracking important nutrient data.
The iPad application we’re creating will likely include face / object recognition functionality. In this contest, we need you to survey the application and iPad library markets for software libraries or modules that can handle face / object recognition, and that may already deliver suitable face / object recognition functionality we could potentially use to shorten the project cost and timeline.
What To Cover in Your Submission:
For your submission, you’ll need to research software libraries or modules that can handle face / object recognition and could work for this new iPad app. Your submission should note the technology and include a simple working example where we can see the technology in use. Also, if any information on licensing of the technology is available, please make a note of this in your submission.
You should also recommend your choice for the most suitable technology you find in your research. If you find any software that fits the general guidelines but you determine would NOT work for our project, please list this as well and explain why you don’t believe it should be used. You may include multiple recommendations in your submission for software that you either do or do not recommend. In both cases, please clearly explain why you made the recommendation you did.
Important Constraints to Consider
1) Facial Recognition may be a challenge, as Astronauts faces swell due to water redistribution when they first encounter micro-gravity. Another factor to consider is that microgravity causes users hair to float in all directions.
2) If images and audio are not processed in-app, and instead require being sent to a ground-based server, the files may exceed the allowed bandwidth. In other words, in-app processing of voice/image/facial recognition is a BIG plus (however, data analysis of foods will still occur outside of the app). We don't yet know exact bandwidth constraints, but will shortly (and will post to the forum when we do).
Please make sure to take these constraints into consideration while conducting your research!
Project Description
The current Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) used on ISS is designed such that food items are grouped into 60-70 lines of food items (based on nutrient content). This grouping strategy allows crewmembers to complete the survey in <15 min/week. After the file is downlinked, an algorithm is used to calculate average daily intake of 7 key nutrients (fluid, energy, protein, calcium, iron, sodium, potassium), based on foods reported. This method works very well for some crewmembers, but not for others, and it does not provide nutrient information beyond the 7 key nutrients identified above.
This project will design and develop a new Apple iPad based application that provides astronauts on the ISS an efficient, rapid, and accurate method for tracking their dietary intake, while also tracking important nutrient data.
The application should seamlessly identify the user, track all dietary intake (food and beverages), and provide a timestamp of when the food was consumed. Possibilities include: the App could take photos of the foods (every space food item is labeled with the food name – this label would obviously have to be in view of the camera), a voice recorder option where the crew could just say out loud what they are eating (then convert the voice to words, but the voice to word conversion is a “nice to have”, and not required), or provide an easy way to enter foods manually. Providing a list of the ~200 space foods and having the crew select what they ate or are eating is an option, but this list would constantly need updating, and scrolling through a list at each meal is likely to require more time. Having an interactive voice command system might be one approach to avoid errors when reporting. If the crewmember reports “chicken”, that is too vague for us to know which chicken item was consumed. The crewmember could be questioned (by the App), please clarify which type of chicken. Or, it could ask “did you mean Fiesta chicken”? A list of available foods can be provided, but the App needs the ability to update available foods as they can change every few months during a mission. Some space food items are tagged with a barcode, and these foods could potentially be scanned. However, not all foods have a barcode, particularly foods from International Partners.
Some of the “high-level” requirements for the application that are relevant to this idea generation contest include:
- The app must be an iOS App and work on an iPad.
- The App will capture accurate dietary intake in an efficient manner that shall not take more than 15 min per week, which is the current time allotment given for the FFQ.
- The 15 min data entry session will capture data for 7 days of meals, three meals per day, along with ad-hoc snacks.
- Data can be entered upon each meal, after each day, or once per week; the total accumulated time for data entry should not exceed 15 minutes per week.
Additional Prizes
In addition to the prizes listed, we will purchase any additional ideas the client likes for $100 each.
Important
Do not copy text from other sources. Read more information about Idea Generation copyright policies here: Copyright Questions.
Target Audience
Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS), as well as the NASA nutrition team.
Judging Criteria
You will be judged on the quality of the idea and how much benefit it can provide for the client. You will also be judged on how clearly you describe your idea.
What to Submit
Preview JPG/PNG Image File
Please create your preview image as one (1) 1024x1024px JPG or PNG file in RGB color mode at 72dpi and place a screenshot of your submission within it.
Submission ZIP File
Your submission should be primarily or entirely textual (Word Document, PDF, HTML, RTF), containing a detailed description of your ideas. You may include any supplemental graphics or photos if it helps explain your idea, but this is not required. Please see the full list of submission formats stated in the requirements above.
Source ZIP File
All fully editable original source files of the submitted idea as required by the contest under "Source Files" in the side bar.
Final Fixes
As part of the final fixes phase you may be asked to complete one round of minor changes to ensure your submission meets the stated requirements of this contest. See more information about Final Fixes.
Please read the challenge specification carefully and watch the forums for any questions or feedback concerning this challenge. It is important that you monitor any updates provided by the client or Studio Admins in the forums. Please post any questions you might have for the client in the forums.