Stanford University Engineers created a cane for visually impaired and blind with additional control. This publication reports Gizmodo.
Specialists described the development of Augmented Cane in a scientific article. The apparatus consists of a walking stick for the blind, equipped with various sensors, cameras and lidar. Also at the end of it it is omni-directional wheel, which can indicate to the user the direction of movement. A special system with the help of cameras and lidar and analyzes the traffic situation via haptic vibration feedback indicates a blind person safe way.
The development of tested using 24 participants, some of whom were blind. In all cases, persons are blindfolded. Sighted users until it has never resorted to the help of a cane, blind, on the contrary, had a similar experience in a few years. All test participants compared with the conventional Augmented Cane cane and made a choice in favor of the first.
According to Stanford University specialists, smart cane allows the blind independently and safely move around. The apparatus may build routes, for example, from the home to the store and back. Augmented Cane prototype weighs about a kilogram, the device makers have estimated it at about $ 400, or about 30 thousand rubles.
Although not successful tests, the devices authors stated that they need more resources and more research before they send the smart stick to mass production.