Students invent 'smart stick' for visually impaired

Record ID: 1355778

  • Title: Students invent 'smart stick' for visually impaired
  • Date: 11th September 2018
  • Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (SEPTEMBER 4, 2018) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF TEACHER, SALAH HESHMAT, WALKING BLINDFOLDED AND USING NAVIGATIONAL STICK IN STREET (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) TEACHER AT SCHOOL, SALAH HESHMAT, SAYING: "I was of course very worried in the beginning to use the stick because I am not used to it, because I'm not blind. But once I put myself in the shoes of someone who cannot se
  • Embargoed: 25th September 2018 10:05
  • Keywords: smart stick blind visually impaired Ain Shams University
  • Location: CAIRO, EGYPT
  • City: CAIRO, EGYPT
  • Country: Egypt
  • Topics: Science
  • Reuters ID: LVA0018X6KV2Z
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Visually impaired people might in the near future find it easier to steer their way through the streets thanks to a smart stick developed by two high school students.
    Similar in size and shape to a traditional cane, the stick incorporates software programming that warns the user of obstacles in their path.
    Students Ziyad Othman and Ahmed Nabil, who won second place in a local hackathon at Ain Shams University, are being encouraged by their information technology school to develop the prototype for further testing.
    Equipped with sensors and a GPS (global positioning system) tracking system, the stick allows its users the chance of safer and more independent walking.
    The sensors are connected to a headset and act as a guide to users, alerting them of any obstructions around them while walking. If an obstruction appears, the sensors will deliver the message to users in real time detailing the location of the object.
    "There is an obstacle in front of you / at your right," the system is heard saying in Arabic.
    Through the tracking system, users can be connected to their families to keep track of their whereabouts. A user can even place calls to the care-giver through the stick.
    Through a mobile application, care-givers can also locate the user if a button is pressed to send a location.
    In recent years, advances in haptic technology, sensors, and GPS have brought a number of hi-tech solutions for the visually impaired. In 2017 Lechal released a haptic shoe which detected obstacles and directed wearers, while an Indian product called SmartCane uses ultrasound to guide users.
    Othman and Nabil are confident they will be able to improve and minimise their design, currently bulky and with exposed wires, to one day bring it into this emerging market.
    According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated 253 million people live with vision impairment: 36 million are blind and 217 million have moderate to severe vision impairment.
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