This was my Diploma Project at Ducere Technologies, Hyderabad.
A recent study conducted by WHO revealed that there are more than 800 million visually impaired people in the world. The white cane, while an effective aid, falls short with respect to navigation, directions and orientation. Moreover, current assistive devices rely primarily on providing audio feedback. People who are visually challenged rely heavily on their sense of hearing to acquaint themselves with the environment and may find audio feedback a major distraction. This is where ‘LeChal’ steps in and attempts to fill the gap. It has been designed for use by everyone.
‘LeChal’ is a haptic feedback based navigation device embedded in footwear. It is a pair of haptic shoes that receive signals from a GPS-enabled smartphone allowing the visually impaired to walk independently, giving them directions and alerting them of possible obstacles. It is a ‘Perfect Companion’ to the white cane, overcoming its drawbacks.
'LeChal' Footwear for Visually Impaired
