Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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The usefulness of distance measuring devices. (self.Blind)
submitted by MarkoThePeaseant
I would like to get an idea of how much you find devices with a distance sensor, that can tell you the distance of objects through the speed of vibrations, to be useful. Do you think that these devices can be improved in any way?
One of ideas we've had, is it to turn the device in to a ball that you hold in your hand, that would be capable of detecting the distance and direction of objects in a 180 degree cone, and tell you the direction and distance of those obstacles based on which part of your finger the vibrations are from.
For example if you were holding the ball upwards in your right hand and you were approaching a stump on your left side you would feel the increase in vibrations in the lower part of your Pinky where the finger meets the palm. Or if you were approaching something that you could bump your head in to, you would feel the vibrations at the tip of your middle finger.
The ball could also work as a compass where it would send out vibrations at the direction which you would like to go to.
Do you believe these types of devices would be useful to look in to? We are lacking information on just how helpful these sensory devices actually are to visually impaired people.
One of the problems we foresee with this particular device is that it would take away one free hand from you to navigate. Is that an unacceptable condition?
We plan on creating a prototype at or collage depending on the feedback so every bit of information helps, and I apologize if you are tired of these types questions.
Thank you for your time.
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One of ideas we've had, is it to turn the device in to a ball that you hold in your hand, that would be capable of detecting the distance and direction of objects in a 180 degree cone, and tell you the direction and distance of those obstacles based on which part of your finger the vibrations are from.
For example if you were holding the ball upwards in your right hand and you were approaching a stump on your left side you would feel the increase in vibrations in the lower part of your Pinky where the finger meets the palm. Or if you were approaching something that you could bump your head in to, you would feel the vibrations at the tip of your middle finger.
The ball could also work as a compass where it would send out vibrations at the direction which you would like to go to.
Do you believe these types of devices would be useful to look in to? We are lacking information on just how helpful these sensory devices actually are to visually impaired people.
One of the problems we foresee with this particular device is that it would take away one free hand from you to navigate. Is that an unacceptable condition?
We plan on creating a prototype at or collage depending on the feedback so every bit of information helps, and I apologize if you are tired of these types questions.
Thank you for your time.
​
​
​
KillerLag 3 points 4y ago
An article that may be helpful for you. The original dates back to the 70s, with updates in the 90s, but much of it holds true still.
https://www.tsbvi.edu/orientation-and-mobility-items/1974-electronic-travel-aids-for-the-blind
"However, there are many problems with currently available devices. First, the rangefinder technology is unreliable in its detection of step-downs or step-ups, such as curbs. Secondly, blind users find the sounds of various pitches or tactile vibrations being used to code the spatial information to be esoteric and difficult to understand. Thirdly, most blind users do not find the slight improvement in mobility performance to be worth the extra cost (which can be many thousands of dollars), and the additional worry of maintaining a complex, expensive battery operated system that must be carried around and kept track of."
If the output device was a ball that you hold in your hand, would the sensors be integrated into the ball, or would it be a separate device? If the sensor is integrated into the device (and assuming an ultrasonic sensor that sends out a signal as a cone), then as you approach a head-level obstacle, the item would exit the sensor field as it gets closer to you.
How many degrees of separation would you utilize to indicate if an obstacle is lower (a pylon), medium (a table) or head level (a sign)?
Would the sensor be accurate enough to detect an object and register an object that is mostly empty space? (Chain link fence, chair legs).
Such devices have been built on and off for over 70 years, but there are still some fundamental challenges that have come up. This is one of the more recent versions that have come up, but there are still some issues with it.
https://www.maxiaids.com/ray-electronic-mobility-aid-for-the-blind
https://www.tsbvi.edu/orientation-and-mobility-items/1974-electronic-travel-aids-for-the-blind
"However, there are many problems with currently available devices. First, the rangefinder technology is unreliable in its detection of step-downs or step-ups, such as curbs. Secondly, blind users find the sounds of various pitches or tactile vibrations being used to code the spatial information to be esoteric and difficult to understand. Thirdly, most blind users do not find the slight improvement in mobility performance to be worth the extra cost (which can be many thousands of dollars), and the additional worry of maintaining a complex, expensive battery operated system that must be carried around and kept track of."
If the output device was a ball that you hold in your hand, would the sensors be integrated into the ball, or would it be a separate device? If the sensor is integrated into the device (and assuming an ultrasonic sensor that sends out a signal as a cone), then as you approach a head-level obstacle, the item would exit the sensor field as it gets closer to you.
How many degrees of separation would you utilize to indicate if an obstacle is lower (a pylon), medium (a table) or head level (a sign)?
Would the sensor be accurate enough to detect an object and register an object that is mostly empty space? (Chain link fence, chair legs).
Such devices have been built on and off for over 70 years, but there are still some fundamental challenges that have come up. This is one of the more recent versions that have come up, but there are still some issues with it.
https://www.maxiaids.com/ray-electronic-mobility-aid-for-the-blind
MarkoThePeaseant [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Thank you very much for your reply. I will read through the links you have posted.
You are right about those questions and these are things that would be researched and tested through design process.
What exactly the sensors will be able to detect it up to which sensor we use and that is something we are looking in to at the moment. This is obviously the first thing that we will do to see if this is even feasible.
As the device is a spherical shape it is currently intended for it to have several sensors where one points forwards, one points upwards and one points downwards. These sensors are currently intended to be on the ball between your fingers while you are grasping it. How many we use will be up to research. In worst case scenario we can fit 12 of them on the ball (3 between each finger), but that's probably over the top.
As for how accurately we would be able to convey to the user is something we will be able to flesh out once we have a working ball full of motors so that we can test to see just how accurately a human can detect the direction of vibrations on a ball. So the accuracy will be decided by the number of motors we plan on using and how well we can insulate them between each other.
​
You are right about those questions and these are things that would be researched and tested through design process.
What exactly the sensors will be able to detect it up to which sensor we use and that is something we are looking in to at the moment. This is obviously the first thing that we will do to see if this is even feasible.
As the device is a spherical shape it is currently intended for it to have several sensors where one points forwards, one points upwards and one points downwards. These sensors are currently intended to be on the ball between your fingers while you are grasping it. How many we use will be up to research. In worst case scenario we can fit 12 of them on the ball (3 between each finger), but that's probably over the top.
As for how accurately we would be able to convey to the user is something we will be able to flesh out once we have a working ball full of motors so that we can test to see just how accurately a human can detect the direction of vibrations on a ball. So the accuracy will be decided by the number of motors we plan on using and how well we can insulate them between each other.
​
KillerLag 1 points 4y ago
Your target audience will also be a factor. Vision loss mostly effects older adults, who often have less tactile sensation, and less likely to be able to hold the object for a long period of time, so weight will be a factor.
Additionally, another big barrier is cost. The device would have to be a game changer (to make it a must have item, similiar to the iphone) or low enough that the person doesn't mind spending the money.
Additionally, another big barrier is cost. The device would have to be a game changer (to make it a must have item, similiar to the iphone) or low enough that the person doesn't mind spending the money.
Amonwilde 2 points 4y ago
I think a cone would be more helpful, but it also has to be a gradual increase. Current projects start buzzing at a certain threshold and that's just not enough feedback, if the vibration increased gradually that would be more helpful.
MarkoThePeaseant [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Yes that is the intent. The vibrations would increase either in strength or speed as objects are closer.
saharacanuck 1 points 4y ago
Distance and speed would be good.
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