Development of an auxiliary biomechanical assistance system for blindness or partial vision

In the present work a proposal for the design of an auxiliary device for people who suffer from blindness or weak vision in form of a diadem, is developed. The device is capable of orientating patients in an urban environment. The main goal of this project is to assist patients when performing displacements and diminish the possible collisions with objects or obstacles at the height of their heads or at a middle height (abdomen height), so that patients can have more freedom when performing a certain movement or displacement. The auxiliary system emits vibrations with certain intensity, according to the distance between the object and the patient. The vibrations present the tendency to be stronger when the distance between the patient and the object is shorter and rather weak when the distance is longer. This mechanism avoids the usage of sounds or similar tools that normally confuse or disorientate the user.