Sensing cane can help blind people avoid obstacles at eye-level

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Associate professor Mitsuhiro Okayasu at the Akita Prefectural University in Japan has designed an electronic cane that will help blind people sense obstacles in their path at the level of their eyes, where normal canes help blind people identify objects at ground level.

The device features two ultrasonic sensors situated inside the cane where the person holds it and helps the user identify objects both in front and above him.

The grip will vibrate when the cane encounters obstacles in front, while a wristband worn by the user will vibrate when the obstacle lies above him. Both sensors can detect obstacles from 1½meters away. The cane is light, weighing about 300grams.