What makes this project interesting? The fact that we're helping people, of course.

Currently, the World Health Organization estimates the number of visually impaired people in the world to be 285 million, 39 million of which are fully blind. This population of the world does not have easy access to new technologies that assist with navigation such as Google Maps, or even just the ability to read navigational signs.


Our solution? Simple, yet effective.

A belt specifically designed to assist the visually impaired with navigation. We are developing an Android app which takes directional information using voice commands and conveys the required direction via Bluetooth to four vibration motors placed at cardinal directions on the belt.


How does it work?

Android App

interfaces between the user and the belt

Bluetooth

transmits data to the belt from the Android App

Microcontroller

handles motor vibration levels (PWM), communication protocols, and component integration

Vibration Motors

provides haptic feedback in varying intensities

IMU

returns user's orientation relative to True North (yaw)

3D Printing

used for motor and electrical component casing


Who's working on the project?

A team of soon-to-be Mechatronics Engineers from the University of Waterloo - Graduating Class of 2017

Tiffany Cheung

Mobile Development Lead

Hans Maryil

Software Development Lead

Robert Sosiak

Electrical and Mechanical Lead

Aditya Junnarkar

Project and Firmware Lead