Devices

Personal Electronic Mobility Devices

Considerable resources have been devoted to developing mobility devices for blind people with no useful vision. This section contains information on devices which are carried by the blind person and assist in detecting obstacles. These electronic aids utilise ultrasonic, laser or infrared technology. Ultrasonic aids can suffer from problems with detecting smooth surfaces at oblique angles; Infrared aids can have problems in detecting clear glass.

Most of these devices are best used in conjunction with a long cane or guide dog. Training in the use of these electronic devices is almost essential to obtain optimum performance. Electronic devices to assist in orientation are included in the section on "Other Navigational Devices".

Bay Advanced Technologies Ltd.
31/7 Saint Vincent Avenue, Remuera, Auckland 1005, New Zealand.
Tel: +64 9 522 8872
Fax: +64 9 522 8887
Email: inquiries@batforblind.co.nz
Web: www.batforblind.co.nz

Bat K Sonar Cane
Picture
The 'K' Sonar works like an ordinary flashlight except that it sends out a beam of sound rather than light. Silent ultrasonic waves bounce off objects sending back information about multiple objects and their location. Sonar information is collected from the path ahead by the 'K' Sonar mapping in front and to the sides of the user as the cane scans. The tip of the cane acts as a safety backstop by coming into contact with an object. Scanned objects produce particular echoes, translated by the 'K' Sonar receiver into a unique invariant complex multiple tone sound which users listen to. The human brain is very good at learning and remembering these sound signature sequences in a similar way that it learns a musical tune. The sound signatures vary according to how far away the 'K' Sonar is from the object, thus indicating distance. The user listens to these sounds through miniature earphones and can detect the differences between sound sequences thus identifying the different objects. Is 10 x more powerful than the simple ETA single object detectors currently on the market. Reduces stress by helping the user avoid objects in advance rather than detecting them through sudden contact. Allows greater freedom of movement. Makes the cane seem lighter, better balanced and more easily manipulated with the 'K' Sonar acting as a handle. Is suitable for either left- or right-handed users. Uses easy-to-operate push button controls.
Price: NZ$950.00
Last updated: 10/07/2006

Freedom Scientific
11800 31st Court North, St Petersburg, Florida 33716 1805, USA.
Tel: +1 727 803 8000; 800 444 4443 (USA and Canada only)
Fax: +1 727 803 8001
Email: info@freedomscientific.com
Web: www.freedomscientific.com

Streettalk GPS
PAC Mate users can enjoy new confidence and have fun while traveling near and far with the StreetTalk accessible GPS (Global Positioning System) solution. Paired with a GPS receiver, StreetTalk is a route-savvy travel companion and real-time exploration guide. Based on mainstream GPS technology for Pocket PCs, StreetTalk makes the award-winning Destinator™ application and its maps accessible. StreetTalk can be used with a choice of many popular Bluetooth® GPS receivers. With Bluetooth, the receiver can be placed up to 30 feet from the user – on a window sill, the rear deck of a car, or even on a guide dog harness, so you aren't tethered to a lot of cables or special straps.
Price: $119.00
Last updated: 08/08/2007

GDP Research
Web: www.gdp-research.com.au/

Miniguide
Picture
The Miniguide indicates the distance to the closest object, via its vibration rate. It has multiple modes and ranges (up to 8 metres). The faster the vibration rate, the closer the object. The aid has an earphone socket which can provide audio feedback.
Length: 80mm Width: 40mm Depth: 25mm
Weight: 70g
Price: A$590.00
Last updated: 25/06/2006

HumanWare
11 Mary Muller Drive, PO Box 3044, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Tel: +64 3 384 4555
Fax: +64 3 384 4933
Email: nz.info@humanware.com
Web: www.humanware.com

BrailleNote GPS
Picture
BrailleNote GPS is a satellite navigation add-on for BrailleNote braille displays. BrailleNote GPS software uses a cell-phone size GPS receiver to relay information from GPS satellites in easy-to-follow maps. It calculates position and plots a route to a destination of choice.
Price: From £900.00
Last updated: 22/10/2007

Trekker GPS
Picture
A revolutionary system that uses GPS and digital maps to help blind persons find their way in urban and rural areas. Trekker users can pinpoint exactly where they are, learn about area attractions, and find out how to get to specific destinations. GPS lets them know their location, anywhere in the world, with continually growing precision. Fitting in the palm of the hand, Trekker offers the visually impaired greater freedom, raising their confidence in their ability to travel near or far, for business or pleasure. It also helps them access and enjoy the most valuable and interesting opportunities their surroundings have to offer. The system can be enhanced with the Maestro applications, which provide access to indispensable functions of a PDA: agenda, text documents, vocal notes, contact directory, Daisy reader (Victor Reader Pocket), and soon, media player, email manager, calculator, choice of a second language.
Width: 87mm Height: 134mm Depth: 27mm
Weight: 0.6kg
Price: From £1145.00
Last updated: 18/10/2007

Sendero Group
1118 Maple Lane, Davis, California 95616, USA.
Tel: +1 530 757 6800
Fax: +1 503 757 6830
Web: www.senderogroup.com

Sendero GPS v4.0
The featherweight 3-ounce Sendero GPS receiver connects wirelessly to my BrailleNote or VoiceNote, using Bluetooth technology. "Hot" keys provide one-handed access to Sendero GPS functions. Just type in a destination and select a route. Sendero’s software enables the BrailleNote or VoiceNote to: Automatically create routes for either walking or riding in a vehicle; Understand the street layout before traveling to a new city, using the "virtual explore" mode; Generate detailed information about speed, direction of travel and altitude; Calculate the distance and direction to a street address or intersection; "See" how street and business names are spelled with the optional built-in Braille display. New Sendero GPS packages come with the software, a storage card, audio tutorial, maps, over 13,000,000 Points of Interest in the U.S. and Canada, or other supported country, 1 future electronic upgrade and either a Bluetooth or serial GPS receiver with WAAS.
Price: From $1495.00
Last updated: 08/08/2007

Sound Foresight Ltd.
Douris House, Roecliffe Business Centre, Roecliffe YO51 9NE, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 1423 320 341
Fax: +44 1423 324 980
Email: info@soundforesight.co.uk
Web: www.soundforesight.co.uk

UltraCane
Picture
The Ultracane is an electronic primary aid, which you can use in place of other mobility aids
such as the ordinary white cane. The Ultracane uses ultrasonic echoes to find out where obstacles are ahead of you and at head height. It converts this information into vibrating buttons in the handle which tells you where an object may be and how far away the obstacle lies. This means that when you are travelling around with the UltraCane you build up a spatial map of your surroundings. You don't have to think about it - it just happens naturally, because of the way our minds work. The result? You have all the information you need to feel and be safe and confident. As a result, the UltraCane: Has a range of settings, with sensors able to detect objects at a short or long distance in
front of you, depending on your needs. Has a comfortable, contoured handle to minimise any risk of Repetitive Strain Injury and has been found to enable use even with arthritic hands. Can be customised to your style and height. Is lightweight with a carefully tested height/weight distribution.
Has a fashionable, appealing design. Is collapsible with easily replaced component parts. Is splash proof, for travelling in the rain.
Price: £499 + delivery
Last updated: 11/07/2006

Takes Corporation
1579-1 lijimacho, Sakaeku Yokohama 224-0842, Japan.
Email: webmaster@palmsonar.com
Web: www.palmsonar.com

Palmsonar
Picture
Hand held ultrasonic obstacle detector. Device vibrates when an obstacle is detected. Frequency of the vibration increases as the obstacle becomes closer. Five settings ranging from 1 metre to 4 metres. Supplied with one CR2032 lithium battery.
Length: 77 mm Width: 20mm Height: 31mm Depth: 19mm
Weight: 0. 04kg
Ref: PS231
Price: 73000Y
Last updated: 12/07/2006