Scientifica 2012
A seeing blind cane
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Many blind and visually impaired people do without modern orientation aids because they do not meet their needs. This could change with the "seeing blind cane": Thanks to modern 3D recording technology, it recognizes dangerous obstacles and informs those affected about them by means of vibrations.
Seeing blind cane
The seeing eye cane transmits the depth profile measured by the 3D camera to the user's fingers via various vibration patterns.
Imagine having to cross Zurich with your eyes closed. Many blind and visually impaired people face this difficult task every day. They master this task with the help of a guide stick or guide dog as well as modern technical navigation aids. Overlooking dangerous obstacles is a great danger, especially if they are at head height.
Although many electronic mobility aids for the blind and visually impaired have been developed in recent years, they are hardly used in everyday life. Those affected continue to rely on the tried and tested guide cane and guide dogs because they are easy to use and reliable. Modern, electronic aids have two deficits: The developments were oriented more to the technological possibilities than to the actual needs of the users. And the sense of touch (i.e., haptic perception), which is important for the blind and visually impaired, is neglected.
Together with the "Access for All" Foundation, the Zurich University of the Arts and MESA Imaging AG, the Laboratory for Rehabilitation Sciences at ETH Zurich has developed an electronic mobility aid for the blind and visually impaired that now aims to overcome these weaknesses. The "seeing blind stick" captures the environment with its obstacles with the help of a 3D camera and transmits the information by means of vibration patterns to the fingers of the person concerned.
Involved Poeple
- Dr. Yeongmi Kim
- Prof. Dr. Roger Gassert
- Stefan Schneller
- Prof. Michael Krohn
- Daniele Corciulo
- René Jaun
- Markus Riesch
- Mathias Deschler
- Steffen Heinrich
- Jens Kubacki
- Thierry Oggier
