Throughout human history, technology has always shaped the way people live. It is estimated that about one billion people around the world are living with a disability. The sad news is that many of them do not have access to life-changing equipment because around 80% live in developing countries.
This year, the aim of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is to improve technology and make it more widely available to those living with disabilities. Although “adaptive technology” might be a new term, the basic idea is not. Some adaptive devices are simple, like the cane, which is as old as mankind itself. Others seem to come from the world of science fiction.
Here are ten high-tech assistive devices that will help those with disabilities to lead full and fulfilling lives.
1. Mobile Lorm glove
People who are deaf and blind communicate primarily through hand-touch sign language known as Lorm. Designers have created a sensor-filled glove which translates Lorm into text messages and emails and vice versa. Small vibrating motors on the glove allow the wearer to get incoming messages and a Bluetooth module manages the data transmission between the glove and the smartphone of the user.
2. Google’s driverless car
Google has launched a new prototype of its driverless car that has neither a steering wheel nor pedals. The software powering the cars is called Google Chauffeur and it makes independent transportation for the visually impaired or those with physical handicaps possible.
3. DynaVox EyeMax system
This system gives individuals with paralysis or cerebral palsy and stroke victims the ability to participate in spoken communication using only their eyes. Using a sophisticated eye tracking system, users can interact with an on-screen keyboard, allowing them to enter words and phrases, which are then translated into spoken text via the device’s text-to-speech mechanism.
4. Cochlear implant
The development of cochlear implants began in the late 1950’s. Since then huge progress has been made. Today’s cochlear implants have more than 20 sound channels, allowing wearers to hear with much better quality. The technology has advanced to such a point now that voices can be heard with enough clarity to be readily understood and identified, making verbal communication possible and productive.
5. The iBot stair-climbing wheelchair
This is a self-balancing, stair-climbing wheelchair for the physically disabled. Using self-balancing technology, the iBot gives wheelchair-bound individuals the freedom to navigate any terrain. In short, this is the ATV of wheelchairs.
6. DEKA robotic arm
The DEKA robotic arm is designed to restore functionality for individuals with upper extremity amputations. The robotic arm weighs less than 3.7 kg and can be customised to the needs of an individual, whether they require an entire arm or a hand. The arm is so precise that it can peel a grape and it has a sensory feedback system which provides feedback to the wearer in the form of vibrations. This allows the user to control grip strength and pressure.
7. Using tablets to speak
Speak for Yourself and Augie AAC are apps that allow therapists to work with individuals to help them access a vocabulary of over 13 000 words – all with just a few taps of the screen.
8. Lechal
These are shoes that allow visually impaired people complete mobility. An insole that can fit into any shoe plus a GPS enabled smartphone guide users with a series of vibrations that indicate to them in which direction to walk.
9. Vibering
Vibering is a watch with two rings (one to be worn on each hand) that vibrate according to the distance and position of sound. The watch and rings sense sounds, particularly vehicles, and vibrate with varying intensity depending on how close the user is to the sound.
10. The Kapten PLUS personal navigation device
The Kapten PLUS personal navigation device is a very small GPS locator designed to be carried on one’s person. As the user walks down the street, the device informs about direction and location, so the user always knows where he or she is and where he or she’s heading. In addition, the user can plan and store routes and tag locations for later reference.
Sources
www.mashable.com
www.usatoday.com
www.goodnet.org