Hi all,
I am a senior engineering student at the University of Maryland. For one of my final engineering projects, I am required to identify a need, design a mechanical device to meet that need, and then make sure there is a market for such a product. My group and I have decided to make a device that is geared towards deaf people. This device would vibrate the bed of a sleeping person and would work in conjunction with a fire alarm, burglar alarm, or other emergency alarm. Our approach to such a device would be different from what is available on the market. We hope to make the device more efficient and effective.
If anyone is interested in helping our survey, please include:
1) Your age
2) Your response to the following survey:
Thank you very much for those who help fill out the survey!!! Maybe we can see this product on the market one day.
-Sam
Survey
Emergency Alarm System for the Deaf
This survey is designed to gather useful information for the design of an emergency alarm system for the deaf, in particular, one that alerts the sleeping deaf to the presence of a fire and/or other emergency. Please only take this survey if you are deaf, or live closely enough with a deaf person that you feel you can answer on their behalf.
Instructions: Please rate these requirements of an emergency alarm system for the deaf, according to their importance to you, or to the deaf person(s) you live with.
1. The alarm must go off every time the smoke alarm detects smoke
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
2. The alarm must wake up the deaf sleeper every time it goes off.
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
3. The alarm must have a remote emergency button for others to wake the deaf from remote locations around the house.
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
4. The alarm must be able to attach to your current bed
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
5. The alarm must not be an eyesore in your bedroom
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
6. All parts of the alarm must be safe to the user at all times.
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
7. The alarm must be wake up the deaf sleeper effectively, no matter where on the bed they are sleeping.
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
8. The alarm must be functional during a power outage.
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
9. The alarm must be low in price.
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
10. The alarm must be durable (be able to sustain dropping or other damage)
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
11. The alarm must not be “In the way” in the context of your daily movements around your room and in the context of other items in the room.
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
12. The alarm must not be felt at all while lying in bed, when there is no emergency.
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
I am a senior engineering student at the University of Maryland. For one of my final engineering projects, I am required to identify a need, design a mechanical device to meet that need, and then make sure there is a market for such a product. My group and I have decided to make a device that is geared towards deaf people. This device would vibrate the bed of a sleeping person and would work in conjunction with a fire alarm, burglar alarm, or other emergency alarm. Our approach to such a device would be different from what is available on the market. We hope to make the device more efficient and effective.
If anyone is interested in helping our survey, please include:
1) Your age
2) Your response to the following survey:
Thank you very much for those who help fill out the survey!!! Maybe we can see this product on the market one day.

-Sam
Survey
Emergency Alarm System for the Deaf
This survey is designed to gather useful information for the design of an emergency alarm system for the deaf, in particular, one that alerts the sleeping deaf to the presence of a fire and/or other emergency. Please only take this survey if you are deaf, or live closely enough with a deaf person that you feel you can answer on their behalf.
Instructions: Please rate these requirements of an emergency alarm system for the deaf, according to their importance to you, or to the deaf person(s) you live with.
1. The alarm must go off every time the smoke alarm detects smoke
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
2. The alarm must wake up the deaf sleeper every time it goes off.
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
3. The alarm must have a remote emergency button for others to wake the deaf from remote locations around the house.
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
4. The alarm must be able to attach to your current bed
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
5. The alarm must not be an eyesore in your bedroom
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
6. All parts of the alarm must be safe to the user at all times.
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
7. The alarm must be wake up the deaf sleeper effectively, no matter where on the bed they are sleeping.
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
8. The alarm must be functional during a power outage.
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
9. The alarm must be low in price.
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
10. The alarm must be durable (be able to sustain dropping or other damage)
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
11. The alarm must not be “In the way” in the context of your daily movements around your room and in the context of other items in the room.
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical
12. The alarm must not be felt at all while lying in bed, when there is no emergency.
1 2 3 4 5
not important | somewhat important | important | very important | critical