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Sonic Vision

Haptic navigation aid that helps people with low vision detect obstacles in real time.

Gradient card for the Sonic Vision haptic wearable
November 1, 2023
UltrasonicsHapticsSolidWorksEmbedded Systems

Summary

Sonic Vision is a wearable device that translates ultrasonic range data into haptic cues, offering affordable assistance for people with partial blindness.

Highlights

  • Designed a topology-optimized, 3D-printed headset that balances comfort with sensor placement.
  • Engineered control algorithms to synchronize ultrasonic sensors, minimizing interference and keeping obstacle detection accurate within 10 feet.
  • Integrated haptic feedback patterns that map distance and direction into intuitive guidance.

Outcome

The concept reached the semi-finals of an engineering-wide hackathon, validating both the design and the accessibility impact of the approach.