The era of technological and industrial advancement has brought forth numerous devices that have made our daily lives easier and more comfortable. While some modern technological innovations are designed purely for entertainment, many are created with a higher humanitarian purpose, aimed at improving the lives of people with disabilities.
Some of these devices now rely on the internet, enabling individuals with disabilities to stay connected and engaged with the world around them in real-time, ensuring they never miss out on anything.
These devices cater to various types of disabilities, including hearing and vision impairments. Below is a look at some of these innovations.
Device to Protect the Visually Impaired from Collisions
A new study has revealed that an innovative device can aid individuals with visual impairments, including those who rely on long canes or guide dogs—currently the most common aids. According to a report by the "Daily Mail" in the UK, visually impaired people are at high risk of collisions and falls. Until now, there has been little evidence supporting the effectiveness of electronic devices marketed to warn users of surrounding obstacles.
Researchers have announced the development of a new early warning device, worn on the chest, which can reduce the risk of collisions and falls by up to 37%.
Dr. Gang Luo, an ophthalmology professor at Harvard Medical School, explained that independent movement is "an essential part of daily life for many individuals with disabilities who face visual challenges. However, they are at greater risk of colliding with obstacles when walking alone."
He added that although many visually impaired individuals use long canes to detect obstacles, not all dangers are avoided. The research team aimed to develop and test a device that enhances daily mobility aids by improving user safety.
Smart Glasses to Restore Sight for the Visually Impaired
A Canadian company has developed new smart glasses called ESight 3, which help individuals with low vision or partial sight to see more clearly and recognize their surroundings. Although not suitable for those who are completely blind, the glasses are highly beneficial for people with partial vision loss.
The glasses, similar in design to virtual reality headsets, use augmented reality technology and digital processing to help those with low vision experience the real world. The glasses feature high-speed HD cameras and dual OLED screens. The 1080P front-facing camera captures live video of everything in view, transmitting the feed to a processing unit, which the user can carry in their pocket or bag. This processing enhances contrast and clarity, allowing users to see their surroundings more clearly.
Users can manually adjust focus, brightness, colors, and zoom with up to 24x magnification, making the glasses helpful for people with conditions like glaucoma or other vision impairments.
Apps for Assisting the Hearing Impaired
A company specializing in hearing aids is developing new smartphone applications to enhance sound quality in hearing aids, allowing them to function as headphones for phone calls, watching videos, or listening to music on platforms like YouTube.
According to the National Institute on Deafness, around 36 million Americans suffer from hearing issues, but only 5% of those who could benefit from hearing aids actually use them.
Lars Viksmoen, CEO of the Danish hearing aid company ReSound, stated that what distinguishes their devices from others is their ability to integrate with smartphones via specialized apps. One such app, ReSound Smart, designed for iPhone, transforms hearing aids into wireless headphones. Users can adjust settings remotely and store specific configurations for frequent locations like cafés.
The company’s ReSound Linx hearing aids, priced around $6,000, can be used with or without an iPhone.
Advanced Wheelchair for Mobility-Impaired Individuals
A British inventor won a $1 million prize for developing an advanced wheelchair that offers greater comfort and smoother movement for those with mobility impairments. This lightweight chair, which has been in development for three years, aims to help individuals with paralysis in their lower limbs.
The design, named Phoenix i, automatically distributes the user’s weight to ensure balance and responsiveness, enhancing comfort and reducing accidents caused by chair tilting.
Smart Cane for the Visually Impaired
Researchers at Stanford University have created a smart cane equipped with sensors to help the visually impaired navigate streets. Experiments have shown that this smart cane increases the walking speed of blind users by 18%.
According to "Science Alert," the cane uses technology similar to that found in self-driving cars, utilizing LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) to identify obstacles in the environment and alert the user, guiding them to safety.
The new cane also integrates artificial intelligence algorithms, including a feature that maps unknown areas and tracks the user’s movement. This innovation marks a significant leap for the visually impaired, as approximately 250 million people worldwide suffer from severe vision problems or total blindness.
The current models of smart canes are often expensive and bulky, but the new cane is designed to be more user-friendly and costs around $400. Mechanical engineer Patrick Slade from Stanford stated, "We wanted something more practical than just a sensor-equipped cane," adding, "We aim to create a tool that not only alerts users to obstacles but also tells them what they are and helps them navigate around them."
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