Categories: LATEST NEWS

Wearable sensor device helps visually impaired to sense their environment

Improved perception, confidence in moving around

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed a wearable assistive device for the visually impaired, which enables them to sense their environment and move around more safely. The device, which is worn like a heart rate monitor, has been clinically tested.

The device functions on the basis of a radar system developed by VTT.

“The novel aspect lies in wearable sensor device which functions based on radio waves, so that the signal passes through normal clothing. This means that it can be worn discreetly under a coat, for example,” says Tero Kiuru, a Senior Scientist at VTT.

The radar conveys information to the user in the form of vibrations or voice feedback. It senses most obstacles in the user’s surroundings, although difficulties remain in sensing objects such as thin branches and bushes.

The radar has already been clinically tested in device trials approved by the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira), in which VTT’s partners were Kuopio University Hospital and the Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired (FFVI). The test group included a total of 25 visually impaired people, of whom 14 were blind, 7 partially sighted and 4 were deaf-blind.

“A clear majority of the testers felt that the radar improved their ability to perceive their environment and increased their self-confidence when moving around,” says Kiuru.

A total of 92% of the trial users felt that the device helped them to perceive their surroundings, 80% felt that their trust in their ability to move around independently had increased and 32% would immediately start using the test device in its current form.

On the other hand, they were not satisfied with distance control and vibration-based feedback.

The research will continue with selected test users and the device will be further developed.

A global market is believed to exist for the radar, since there are around 300 million visually impaired people in the world.

Liat

Recent Posts

QuamCore Emerges from Stealth with $9 Million in Seed Funding to Build World’s First Scalable 1 million Qubit Quantum Computer

Breakthrough in superconducting digital logic removes quantum scaling barriers, paving the way for large-scale quantum…

2 days ago

Qualcomm to Bolster AI and IoT Capabilities with Edge Impulse Acquisition

Highlights:  Acquisition complements strategic approach to IoT transformation, enhances developer enablement and expands leadership in…

5 days ago

Tower Semiconductor and Innolight Expand their Collaboration and Ramp Volume of Next-Generation SiPho Solutions for AI and Data Centers

New Technology Halves Laser Requirements for Streamlined, High-Volume Optical Module Production to Meet Growing AI…

5 days ago

Lenovo Just Launched the World’s First Laptop with an Under-Display Camera: Here’s How They Did It

Lenovo has redefined laptop innovation with the introduction of the Yoga Slim 9i, the world’s…

1 week ago

Power Supplies 10 to 50W industrial power supply series expanded with new mounting and protection options for increased system flexibility

TDK Corporation (TSE 6762) announces the introduction of multiple option configurations for the TDK-Lambda brand…

1 week ago

Nordic Semiconductor collaborates with Deutsche Telekom to make everything cellular connected

Introducing MECC: A seamless, scalable solution to unlock global IoT connectivity using nRF9151 module Nordic…

1 week ago