Wearable/Jewelry for the visually impaired! - Yanko Design

Designed cleverly to await like manner accessories, the Maptic (Map + Haptic) is in reality a device that enables its wearer to make a mental map of their surround. With feedback units worn on both hands, to help users navigate, the neck-worn time-of-flight sensor works to create a map of its surroundings, non just sending vibration signals to the bracelets to assistance wearers avoid obstacles, they even act as a navigator, telling users when to movement forward or turn, based on vibration cues. To add together another layer of functionality to the device, the pendant comes with indoor and outdoor settings, working in short and long ranges, to make sure obstacles are detected at the correct times. To minimize size and maximize battery life, the designer sought to link the Maptic to a smartphone app, rather than utilize an in-built GPS unit. The app uses voice control, just communicates with the wearer through vibrations only, eliminating the need for headphones, and therefore assuasive the users to listen to and be aware of their surroundings.

Designer Emilios Farrington-Arnas secured a James Dyson Scholarship for his Maptic project and is at present working towards developing units for non but the visually disabled but even for the able-sighted, helping people navigate more effectively and discreetly without the need for visual cues, or sound guidance.

Designer: Emilios Farrington-Arnas