Do Tien (28, Hanoi) has invented a wristband to support people with visual impairments, helping them move around more easily.
He happened to see information about The 2017 Hackaday Prize (a creativity competition held in the US – Ed.) asking entrants to “use technology to support people with disabilities”, and Do Tien thought of the difficulties and hardships of people with visual impairments in life, so the idea of making a device to support and help these less fortunate people came to him.
“There are about 3 million people with visual impairments in Viet Nam. They face many difficulties in life. Although there are many products on the market for them, they are expensive and complicated to use. That is why I had to create a simpler product”, Do Tien said.
The 28-year-old decided to use readily available items to build it, and in just two weeks, Do Tien had produced a wristband for people with visual impairments.
“It can be worn on the wrist in two ways, either without a cane or combined with a cane; it vibrates on the finger to warn of obstacles, beeps to warn of obstacles, lets you set how strong or gentle the speaker or vibration motor is, and lets you set the obstacle detection distance from 2 – 5 m. This product is lightweight, its obstacle detection angle is about 30 degrees, and its battery lasts about 6 hours per charge”, Do Tien said about his product.
Quite a few people with visual impairments have used this device and praised its inventor.
It is known that the wristband for people with visual impairments (whose English name is Bracelet for the blind) made the list of the 20 best products in The 2017 Hackaday Prize, receiving prize money of USD 1,000; it also reached the final round to compete for the USD 30,000 prize in the near future.
The young man from Hanoi is still consulting users of the device, and adjusting and improving the product further.
“I am researching an upgrade that combines it with a spare battery so the product can be used for up to a week on one charge. I am also thinking about how to make it rainproof and reduce the weight of the device. The device will definitely have a button to call for help, and GPS positioning”, Do Tien said.
Xuan Phuong – https://thanhnien.vn