A few days ago, a device developed by the researchers of University of Melbourne will significantly improve the daily life of visually impaired or blind people and this electronic equipment is designed to help them avoid non-protruded obstacles. This equipment can be attached to a cane, walker or wheelchair and can detect any potentially harmful non-protruded obstacles like curbs, curves and downgoing stairs with its laser and camera.

Associate Professor Elaine Wong, Professor Marimuthu Palaniswami and Dr. Aravinda Sridhara Rao from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at University of Melbourne incorporated their individual advantages in intelligent sensors, scanning technique and optics and co-developed a desirable non-portable laser optical device. Associate Professor Wong said, “after this equipment is fully developed, it will serve as a protector against a fall or tumble which is the main problem facing the elderly. ”  She contacted Vision Australia and offered them her engineering skills, hoping that she can help improve the independence and security of visually impaired people. “I intend to do something practical to make a difference and it will be rather important to improve people’s living quality.”

What’s next for the research team is to miniaturize this equipment and optimize the laser light source to allow its operation under all lights. Moreover, they hope that this equipment will be as cheap, portable, convenient and useful as possible to help 360,000 visually impaired people in Australia and 285 million all over the world. “Although the advantages of this equipment in real-time navigation and safety protection are prominent, the social benefits delivered when it helps the visually impaired people cannot be underestimated since it can help them contact the society, ensure their security and maintain their confidence and techniques when communicating with others”, Associate Professor Wong said.