Automated walking stick to improve lives of the blind
A University of Zimbabwe student has developed a new innovation — a Smart Blind Stick — which is set to assist in the development of devices that help people with visual impairments. The innovation was showcased at the University of Zimbabwe Innovation Hub. In this report, our Agric, Environment & Innovations Editor SIFELANI TSIKO (ST) speaks to
TAFADZWA MUUSHA (TM) – a Business Studies and Computer Science graduate about her innovations.
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ST: Can you tell us briefly what the Smart Blind Stick is all about?
TM:
The smart blind stick acts as an artificial vision tool used by visually impaired people. It detects physical obstacles inclusive of water. When approaching an obstacle, the stick alerts the user by vibrating and emitting alert sounds. The alert sound when approaching water is different from the alert sound when approaching any other physical obstacles. It has a tracking remote attached to a neck tag that the user carries at all times to track the stick whenever they misplace it, the remote beeps after every two minutes in-case they misplace it too.
We developed a mobile application and a web application that work in sync with the stick. The mobile app is used by the user’s guardian to track their live location, and as backup to track the users’ phone in-case they lose their walking stick. The web app is used by the users’ guardian as an alternative to the mobile app, and also used for administration purposes. The walking stick has LED lights and reflectors for night visibility and it can be customized according to users’ preference.
ST: What is the major purpose of the Smart Blind Stick? How different is this gadget from other ordinary blind sticks we have seen?
TM: The major purpose of the smart blind stick is for obstacle detection and avoidance so that the visually impaired user does not bump into obstacles. This gadget is different from other blind sticks we have seen in the sense that it detects obstacles and communicates with the user, and it has a tracking system which helps their guardian or carer locate them. The blind sticks that we have seen here in Zimbabwe do not have these functionalities.
ST: Tafadzwa, can you tell us what motivated you to develop the Smart Blind Stick?
TM:
I have seen visually impaired people
struggling to manoeuvre on their own with the use of the current walking canes. They have to bump into an obstacle in order to know that there is an obstacle, and sometimes they even fall. So they usually require another goodsighted person to help them manoeuvre. I then decided to come up with a solution that helps them to be mobile and independent during navigation.
ST: How do you feel about having successfully developed a Smart Blind Stick?
TM:
I feel happy knowing that I have made a visually impaired person’s life better and easier with this gadget. The recent launch of the National Disability Policy for Zimbabwe which addresses the needs of persons with disabilities motivates me to develop the stick further and improve it, and I would like to extend its use to Dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. At the University of Zimbabwe, we are educated to change lives!
ST: Your application makes life easier for the visually impaired to navigate around on their own with minimum assistance. How easy is it for the visually impaired to use it? Can it be custom made to suit individual needs of people?
TM: It is easy for the visually impaired to use it, it just requires training on how to use the gadget. Yes, it can be custom made to suit individual needs of people. For example, the length of the stick should suit different people’s heights. Some may want the stick without the tracking system if they do not want other people to know their whereabouts.
ST: Smart Blind Sticks have been developed by other researchers elsewhere across the world. How different or unique is your new innovation? What makes it, to stand alone as a Zimbabwean innovation?
TM: Smart blind sticks have been developed by other researchers elsewhere across the world. What makes it stand alone as a Zimbabwean innovation is that there are currently no local manufacturers of these smart blind sticks. We are manufacturing them locally, therefore there would be no need to import the gadgets from other countries.
ST: Many people who are visually impaired find it expensive to buy and access such gadgets. What is your comment on this in relation to your gadget?
TM: Yes, many people who are visually impaired find it expensive to buy and access such gadgets. We have made a presentation to NSSA which mainly caters for this target market and l am optimistic that they will chip in. However, our engagements are still at preliminary stages and l cannot at this juncture divulge more. We also intend to engage NGOs, among others.
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