A new device developed by researchers in India uses ultrasound to guide the visually impaired through the busy streets.
Known as the SmartCane, the new device sends out ultrasound waves to surrounding areas and identifies obstacles by detecting the echoes that bounce back from nearby objects. Once an obstacle is detected, it uses vibrations to inform and divert the user around it.
Regular white canes can only detect obstacles up to knee height, while the Smartcane can detect obstacles from knee to head height, CNN reports.
A new dimension of sightless awareness equipment. This is the “VIA” Visually Impaired Assistant, a pair of hand-centric devices to make the day of a visually impaired person a whole lot easier. These devices use VMD Video Motion Detection technologies, 4 mini cameras, and a voice operated GPS receiver, all to act as both a walking stick and a mapping system. All the while looking rather fabulous on the hands as sensually molded pieces of jewelry (or “super heavy-duty metal equipment” if you’re too masculine for that sensual “J” word.)
Read more at http://www.yankodesign.com/2010/09/21/visually-impaired-with-fine-hands/#6DsAlOZbIjiZ3d30.99
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