Wearable Mobility Device for the Blind Developed by Toyota

This project made by Toyota is committed in order to help blind and visually injured people to navigate via device which is worn around the shoulders. As this company is known for economical, inexpensive cars, they goes toward another project, and other direction, announcing Project BLAID, wearable device for the blind.

Worn around the shoulders, user’s device is designed to help blind and visually injured people to better guide when they are in indoor space, such as shopping malls, office buildings, to help them recognize everyday features, like restrooms, stairs, doors, escalators..etc.This device giving to users more information about their surroundings.

The users device will be equiped with cameras which detects the surroundings giving user information through speakers and vibration motors. On the other hand the users will be able to communicate through voice identification and buttons.

“Project BLAID is one example of how Toyota is leading the way to the future of mobility, when getting around will be about more than just cars,” said Simon Nagata, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Toyota Motor North America. “We want to extend the freedom of mobility for all, no matter their circumstance, location or ability.”

“Toyota is more than just the great cars and trucks we build; we believe we have a role to play in addressing mobility challenges, including helping people with limited mobility do more,” said Doug Moore, Manager, Partner Robotics, Toyota. “We believe this project has the potential to enrich the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired.

The device will be soon tested. With this project BLAID, the company is launching campaign inviting team members company wide to submit videos of common indoor landmarks. Those videos will help project BLAID developers in teaching device for better identifying these landmarks.

“This has the ability to transform and change people’s lives,” Rajiv Daval, a Project Blaid engineer, explains in the video.

“Toyota’s commitment is to develop a product that will actually improve the mobility for the blind and visually impaired community.” The company made short video in which is young man who is blind and testing an early-stage version of the device.

Read more here.