Pakistani student creates a device for the visually impaired

[Shahzaz ud din]

Pakistani student creates a device for the visually impaired
By APP / Tech Desk
Published: December 12, 2017
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Children from Ida Rieu School took part in the walk to raise awareness about the visually impaired. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS

A Pakistani student from Peshawar has developed a device that helps people with visual impairment walk.

The device, Sonic Eye, includes a white stick which has a navigation device attached along with a sensor that buzzes each time it detects an object in close proximity.

Visually impaired students celebrate White Cane Day

The student behind the device, Hafsa Jamal, stated that she is also preparing a mobile app which would help the visually impaired navigate using their phone instead of a stick altogether.

Late last year, students from Karachi University developed several applications for Android and websites. One of the projects displayed was a website DockKnock developed by Mehak Shakeel and Nashra Ghauri, which enables patients to contact doctors online regarding whichever disease or illness they are suffering from.

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Jamal also wants to eventually place such navigational devices on items used in the daily life; currency notes, cameras to help identify any and every obstacle.


Read more: Pakistan , Tech , visual impairment

 

[Dubious]

Pakistani students create a smart walking stick for the blind
January 14, 2019

Samaa Digital

Photo: Coutesy National Incubation Centre Lahore

Pakistani students have developed a smart cane called the ‘Blind Man Stick’.

This isn’t just some ordinary walking stick. The stick allows a blind person to navigate their walk. If the stick perceives an obstacle, it vibrates or makes a sound to indicate the obstacle to the person using it.

The idea behind the electronic device is to help people with visual disabilities carry out day-to-day tasks without relying on others.

The average Pakistani cannot afford most electrical low vision devices, which cost near to $400. In an article published by the National Incubation Centre (NIC), the startup behind the innovation – Ayub Yaqoob Engineering Group (AYECo) – plans to create a model of the smart cane that won’t sell for more than $50, which is around Rs6,900.

The NIC Lahore is a first of its kind incubation and acceleration platform, launched under the public-private partnership of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom, IGNITE, Fatima Ventures and Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS).

Photo: Courtesy National Incubation Centre Lahore

The start-up perfected the first prototype after several tries. According to the article, the first prototype was not fold-able and demonstrated difficult vibration pattern. The second was modified and made a compact remote with the electronic circuitry embedded in it. In this way, Smart Cane became a fold-able device.

The cane has a rechargeable battery. AYECo aims to connect the smart walking stick with smartphones and make the design more compact.

AYECo first came in the public eye last year when an electrical engineering student at LUMS, who is part of AYECo, designed an automated wheelchair – the first of its kind in the world – which is controlled by a smartphone and voice command.

Faaiz Arbab, a student of MS electrical engineering at LUMS, designed ‘GOBEE’ to assist the physically challenged people through smart technologies integrated into the wheelchair.

GOBEE can connect to any smartphone via Bluetooth or WiFii allowing its user to control it even if they are 100 feet away from the wheelchair.

https://www.samaa.tv/technology/201...mart-walking-stick-for-the-blind-in-pakistan/

 

[Signalian]

The invention is great....but can we go for a hands free option ?

Sensors, in spectacles or in a half-head-covering helmet, so now both hands are free for the blind just like people with normal sight. People wear huge headphones to listen to songs, same sized device on head for visually impaired.