Yanto Shen is the leader researcher on this project. Researchers from UNR and UALR team up to work on a new device to help the visually impair detect and grasp object. (via UNR)
A team of researchers from the University of Nevada in Reno (UNR) and the University of Arkansas (UALR) are using advanced technology to help the visually impaired. Last week they announced plans to develop a wearable robotic device that would help the visually impaired to get around obstacles in their surroundings. Think of it as they'll be able to “see” and understand what they're reaching for in a way. The glove like device would combine vision, tactile, force, temperature, and audio sensors and actuators to help users sense where an object is and its shape and size. The team plans to “pre-map the hand, and build a lightwright for-fitting device that attaches to the hand using key locations for cameras and mechanical and electrical sensors” according to lead researcher from UNR Yanto Shen.
The project received a grant of $820,000 from the National Institute of Health's (NIH) National Eye Institute division with three years to complete it. This also marks the first NRI grant for the University. Currently, the device is still in development and there is no word on when it will be made available to the public. Shen and his research partner, Cang Ye, will lead their team of graduate and undergraduate students develop the technology, design the device, and test it. Shen also plans to include the project in the senior design course he teachers to guide students to develop their own ideas for the device and possibly even expand on the device.
Shen also believes the device can beyond helping the visually impaired. "Not only will this device help blind and visually impaired people, the methods and technology we develop will have great potential in advancing small and wearable robot autonomy with many potential applications in space exploration, military surveillance, law enforcement and search and rescue," Shen said.
This isn't the only device out there that helps the visually impaired. French Company Pixium Vision began testing their own system called Iris that promised to improve the vision of the blind. This procedure involved implanting a tiny silicon chip with 150 electrodes on the retina. Afterwards, the patient has to wear a pair of dark glasses embedded with an integrated video camera, which sends images to a portable mini-computer. The computer then transforms the pictures into digital signals that are sent back to the glasses and wirelessly transmitted to a receive on the implant. The healing process includes teaching the brain how to interpret the new images. Recently, the company was approved from the French regulatory authority ANSM to include Iris II in a clinical study.
It's great to see so many companies using our advances in technology to help not only those who are visually impaired, but also those who also have other disabilities. Thanks to the aid of these technological innovations, disabilities will no longer be considered a hindrance.
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