Abstract

    We at Freshman's Friend Inc. realize the vast extents of the University of Washington campus. This causes numerous problems ranging from lost delivery drivers to crowds of freshmen huddled around campus maps. Our product, the Freshman's Friend, solves these problems by integrating Global Positioning System (GPS) technology into a handheld computing device. Using this technology the user can view their exact location and ask for directions to any building on campus.

    The Freshman's Friend is based upon three major components: the Compaq iPaq handheld computing device, the Garmin GPS25-LVS GPS receiver, and a digital compass We integrate these devices using an 8051 microcontroller and the communication ports on the iPaq. Linked together with proprietary mapping software on the iPaq the Freshman's Friend opens the door to a whole new world for collegiate freshmen all over America.