TGM students develop visual aids for the blind
Sensors with ultrasound warn of obstacles

Thus, matriculation and diploma have twice the same meaning: Four students of the TGM in Vienna developed a new type of vision aid for blind people. A headband emits ultrasound to detect obstacles. Vibrating bracelets reveal whether the obstacle is left, right or straight.
„As a graduate project, we wanted to design something meaningful that would help other people,“ says Andrea, one of the four-team students.

Bat bat

Nature provides the model: bats use ultrasound to orient themselves without sight. This principle is also used by the car industry and provides parking assistance with this technology. However, the device should not beep like a car when parked. „Blind people absolutely need their ears to get along, as acoustic signals would be very disturbing,“ explains Philipp from the project group. „We developed vibrating bracelets.“ Depending on whether the left or the right bracelet is swinging first, a blind man can recognize the direction and locate the obstacle. The strength of the vibrations indicates the distance. The bracelets work with vibration motors, as they are also installed in mobile phones.

The system is not intended to replace the tried and tested blindstock but to supplement it. With the stick, a blind object on the floor can easily feel. Obstacles in breast height or head height, such as a cross beam or a mail box, he does not notice and would oppose. In such cases, the ultrasound device warns on time.

Blind teenagers tested

Andrea, Sueda, Marcus and Philipp were able to test whether ultrasound detection works. They fitted a headband with sensors, „looked“ at objects and tested the results – everything was fine.

About the TGM

TGM – The School of Technology – with 2,600 pupils and 330 teachers, is the largest HTL in Vienna and one of the oldest in Austria. The TGM Research Center carries out research projects and test tasks on behalf of the economy and is involved in innovative developments. The courses include electronics and technical informatics, electrical engineering, IT, mechanical engineering, business engineering and plastics engineering as well as the direction of biomedical and health technology. Graduates are networked in the association of technologists worldwide.
Www.tgm.ac.at
https://www.tgm.ac.at/