‘Smart Cane’ gets Wellcome Trust support to aid the visually challenged
06 July 2011
A white cane is currently the most commonly used visual mobility aid; however, it can only detect limited types of obstacles and has a short distance range. Likewise, it cannot detect obstacles that are above knee height (a metal barrier on the road, for example) or that protrude in the natural environment (such as tree branches).
The 'Smart Cane' is an innovative device that can be mounted onto a traditional white cane. It uses ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles up to three metres away. The range of the detected obstacles is conveyed to the user using vibratory signals with differentiated characteristics. It is designed as a user-detachable unit and is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, like those commonly found in mobile phones and digital cameras.
The funding from the Wellcome Trust will be used to optimise the design of the device, based on user feedback from field trials, to develop an affordable product that is easy to manufacture and is ready for regulatory approval and certification. Extensive user trials are scheduled to take place at multiple locations over the next 18 months.
The project is being jointly undertaken by Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and its industrial partner Phoenix Medical Systems (P) Ltd, Chennai. Both parties will work with the Saksham Trust, New Delhi, who bring specialised domain expertise and links to the network of organizations working for the visually impaired.
Professor Surendra Prasad, Director of IIT Delhi, expressed his happiness at the signing of the funding agreement. He said: "This joint effort is yet another illustration of IIT Delhi's commitment to continue to undertake research and development with a large social impact while extending the frontiers of science and technology. We appreciate the support from Wellcome Trust in a project that can help the visually impaired have greater control and comfort in their daily lives."
Bina Rawal, Head of Medical Affairs at the Wellcome Trust, commented: "We are pleased to support the development of this project, which has the potential to make a huge impact on quality of life for the visually impaired at an affordable cost both in India and elsewhere in the world."
Image: A traditional cane with the ‘Smart Cane’ device attached. Credit: IIT Delhi.
