Recent advances from Imperial College London unveil an innovative navigation tool designed specifically for people with visual impairments.
This groundbreaking device, known as Shape, leverages tactile information to aid users in locating destinations, achieving performance levels that mirror those of sighted individuals.
Design and Functionality
Developed in partnership with MakeSense Technology and the charity Bravo Victor, Shape resembles a flashlight but is far more dynamic.
Its unique design allows the device to bend and conform, nudging users towards their intended location and straightening up when they’re properly oriented.
This haptic feedback mechanism enables navigation primarily through touch, creating a more intuitive experience.
A study published in Nature Scientific Reports explores the efficacy of Shape in aiding visually impaired participants to identify targets within a three-dimensional virtual reality (VR) setting, using vibration feedback technology—a widely adopted tool for navigation challenges.
Sighted participants were also involved, relying solely on visual cues to find the same targets.
Research Findings
Dr. Ad Spiers, the lead researcher from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Imperial, shared his enthusiasm for the results.
He pointed out that this research reveals visually impaired individuals can navigate using Shape with an efficiency that rivals that of sighted individuals using their eyes—an unprecedented level of effectiveness in comparison to existing assistive devices.
Dr. Spiers highlighted that Shape distinguishes itself by taking advantage of the human ability to perceive tactile shapes, moving beyond the simplicity of vibrations.
This approach taps into our innate capacity for recognizing shapes and forms with our hands, making it easier to learn and less exhausting for users.
In their study, researchers compared ten visually impaired participants to a similar number of sighted participants, analyzing their speed and effectiveness in pinpointing virtual targets in a controlled environment.
The results showed no significant difference in performance between those using Shape and sighted individuals using natural vision.
Notably, participants with visual impairments navigated more efficiently with Shape than with traditional vibration feedback systems, with many expressing a strong preference for it over other assistive technologies.
Future Developments
With its potential to revolutionize navigation for visually impaired people, Shape stands out among existing tools. Dr. Robert Quinn, CEO of MakeSense Technology, pointed to the promising outcomes of the study, suggesting that this technology could greatly improve mobility.
He also mentioned that MakeSense is working on an upcoming blind wayfinding product that will integrate spatial artificial intelligence and computer vision, aiming for a launch in late 2025.
Currently, those with visual impairments typically rely on white canes or guide dogs for assistance.
While guide dogs can be effective companions, they come with high training and maintenance costs.
White canes, on the other hand, primarily help users avoid obstacles instead of providing directional guidance, which can be limiting in complex environments.
Technological advancements have largely concentrated on auditory cues and vibration feedback.
However, auditory signals can impede environmental awareness, and the discomfort from vibration feedback can grow over time.
Shape seeks to overcome these challenges by offering a more user-friendly, tactile navigation solution.
The research team designed a controlled experiment that closely mimicked real-world navigation, minimizing variability in trials.
However, they acknowledge that real-life scenarios will introduce additional hurdles, such as changes in weather and the presence of unexpected obstacles, which necessitate further studies to assess Shape’s effectiveness in dynamic environments.
The development of Shape has been supported by MakeSense Technology, a startup co-founded by Dr. Robert Quinn after he completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Imperial.
The company has thrived within Imperial’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, which encourages innovative projects that have the potential to create a significant societal impact.
Following this study, MakeSense is focused on refining the Shape technology for outdoor navigation, with plans to turn it into a practical tool for everyday use soon.
This research received financial backing from Innovate UK’s SMART Grant, benefiting MakeSense Technology Ltd, Bravo Victor, and Imperial College London.
Source: ScienceDaily