While navigating the physical world is challenging for people with any level of vision loss, it is understandably even more challenging for the estimated 42,000 to 700,000 individuals (US Department of Education) who have both some level of vision and hearing loss. Along with conventional canes and service animals, prototypes of guide canes have been developed and patented that use haptic technologies to warn of detected obstacles. Ourteam is focusing on analyzing and improving upon these guide canes to develop a radically improved cane handle that provides clear directional feedback, helping to guide users around obstacles to the left, to the right, or directly in front of them.
The primary goal of the project is to create a handle for a guide cane that will direct a hearing and vision impaired user in avoidance of obstacles. This tactile feedback will clearly indicate the direction to navigate the obstacle. The team is designing the prototype with visual and physical resemblance to a conventional handle and is intuitive enough to be used with minimal training.
The prototype that we have designed and will manufacture will havea roller sub system contains ball bearings that will roll beneath the palm, allowing the user to feel the direction of rotation. If for example the rollers rotate to the right, it indicates that there is an obstacle to the left and that the user should travel to the right. This first generation design and prototype will not indicate elevation or proximity of the obstacle. The design intent includes a stop function where the sub system will rotate back and forth beneath the palm. The design will also include a system that indicates how much battery life remains when the device is turned on. In order todetermine the proximity of obstacles during testing, we will be using ultrasonic sensors. Data has already been collected through various user tests to determine the most effective roller speed, geometry, and heightrelative to the surface of cane that will be in contact with the user’s palm.
The inspiration for this project is US Patent 8077020B2 that was written by and provided to us by our customer, Gary Behm. The first generation of this project is set to be completed in May of 2014.