Defi H Series (Part 2): Handi’Blind to brighten up life for the visually impaired

Jun 4, 2015

Sogeti Labs

In the second article of the series, we discuss how the Handi’Blind device (developed by the team that won the Innovation Trophy at the Defi H Competition) will help the visually impaired people overcome mobility challenges.

What inspired the creation?

There is a significant number of vision-related diseases; and the number of people suffering from these diseases is increasing every day.

The project details

The Handi’Blind project aims to ease the movements of the visually impaired people in order to improve their autonomy, comfort and safety. The Handi’Blind glasses are based on the principle of stereovision that helps detect potential obstacles and warns/alerts the user of them, using a vibrating device attached/tied to his/her forearm.

What is stereovision?

Stereovision or stereoscopic measure is a method to gauge and determine the dimensions, forms and positions of objects/obstacles by capturing/shooting their images from different angles.

How does it work?
1) Onboard cameras detect the presence of obstacles
2) A suitable buzzer turns on
3) The user changes/adjusts his/her trajectory, accordingly

The different phases

1. Doing research
2. Building the hardware
3. Developing the software
4. Performing System integration
5. Testing prototype

Problems and solutions

The project had started with a blank page. Indeed, the team’s main goal was to create a POC, so they started from a simple idea with the aim to validate it, before carrying on with the project as far as possible. So, the primary goal was achieved as the team was able to simulate and validate the entire image processing part.

The second goal, which was to go as far as possible and make a functional prototype, was delayed because of the difficulties in creating a Linux kernel that fits the project.

Evolutions and future applications

If we look toward the future, we could easily imagine a system in which buzzers and video cameras would share data with the electronic card via Bluetooth.
Likewise, one could add other buzzers in order to provide more information to the user, for instance, the direction and the speed of an obstacle.

The Team that made it possible

ESME-Sudria:

• Benjamin Combe
• Charles Herbelin
• Clément Rondeau

NGO: Association Valentin Haüy

Sogeti coach: Robert Demaille

About the author

Sogeti Labs

SogetiLabs gathers distinguished technology leaders from around the Sogeti world. It is an initiative explaining not how IT works, but what IT means for business.

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