Wearable Sensor Device Helps Visually Impaired to Sense Their Environment
From: ECN Magazine - 01/10/2017

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed a wearable assistive
device for the visually impaired, which enables them to sense their
environment and move around more safely. The device, which is worn like a
heart rate monitor, has been clinically tested.

The device functions on the basis of a radar system developed by VTT.

"The novel aspect lies in wearable sensor device which functions based on
radio waves, so that the signal passes through clothing. This means that it
can be worn discreetly under a coat, for example," says Tero Kiuru, a Senior
Scientist at VTT.

The radar conveys information to the user in the form of vibrations or voice
feedback. It senses most obstacles in the user's surroundings, although
difficulties remain in sensing objects such as thin branches and bushes.

Read the entire article at:
https://www.ecnmag.com/news/2017/01/wearable-sensor-device-helps-visually-impaired-sense-their-environment
https://www.mdtmag.com/news/2017/01/wearable-sensor-device-helps-visually-impaired-sense-their-environment

Links:
Wearable sensor device helps visually impaired to sense their environment
http://www.vttresearch.com/media/news/wearable-sensor-device-helps-visually-impaired-to-sense-their-environment

Wearable Sensor Improves Perception for Visually Impaired
http://www.medicaldesignbriefs.com/component/content/article/1104-mdb/features/26298

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
http://www.vttresearch.com

Tero Kiuru
https://fi.linkedin.com/in/tero-kiuru-38433a4

News tagged with visually impaired
http://phys.org/tags/visually+impaired

News tagged with visually impaired people
http://phys.org/tags/visually+impaired+people

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The Technology of Airport Security Scanners Helps Guide the Blind
From: Microwaves & RF - 01/13/2017
By: James Morra

A personal radar system could give a sixth sense to people who already lost
one to blindness. Researchers at the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
are testing wearable scanners that guide the blind or visually impaired by
mapping the environment with radio pulses.

Guide Sense, as the technology is called, bounces millimeter waves off
objects to measure distance, speed, and where the objects are located in
relation to the wearer. The device conveys information to users either with
voice feedback or vibrations to indicate how close something is.

Read the entire article at:
http://mwrf.com/systems/technology-airport-security-scanners-helps-guide-blind

Link:
Guide Sense
http://www.guidesense.com