An invention by a high school student in India may make mobility for the visually impaired a lot easier.
Anang Tadar, a year 11 student from Arunachal Pradesh, a north-eastern state in India has made a pair of glasses, named Goggle for Blind, using his pocket money to fund this project.
Tadar’s invention uses the technology based on echolocation which is the use of sound waves and echoes to determine the location of objects.Bats depend on echolocation to navigate and find food in the dark.
Anang Tadar's Goggle for Blind was awarded the most innovative discovery at the Regional Science Fair at Guwahati. Source: Facebook
The pair of glasses will alert the wearer of any nearby objects, like in vehicle parking sensors.
Tadar got the motivation to develop the product after he saw a blind girl a few years ago.
“These days there are so many obstructions both inside the house and outside. The G4B will help blind people move around a lot easier,” said Tadar. The G4B was adjudged the most innovative discovery at a regional level science fair held at Guwahati recently.
Tadar's invention, Goggle for Blind Source: Facebook
According to a statement by the state government, the UNICEF, impressed by the innovation, has asked Tadar to develop a few more prototypes and if the product development is satisfactory, the UN body may give it further impetus.
"Right now I am making prototypes to make it work better and efficient, and then it will be tested on blind people, and if it's good then maybe yes (UNICEF may help market it)," he told SBS Punjabi.
The state government has assured him funding to fine-tune his product and make it lighter which at the moment is thought to be a little bulky.
Earlier this month, he showcased his invention at a national level science exhibition at the Rashrtpati Bhawan (the official residence of the President of India) in New Delhi.