Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K) have created a unique touch-sensitive watch for visually impaired people to use to precisely perceive time.

There are various timepieces available for the visually impaired at the moment. The current mechanical watches were inconvenient to use. To tell the time, the user must feel the needles on the hour and minute hands. Since these are moving parts, they are susceptible to breakage. Another alternative that exists currently is audio feedback on the watch. Again, this is not user-friendly and violates privacy. The researchers understood the need to create user-friendly, silent and sturdy watches for the visually impaired. [1]

Figure 1. IIT Kanpur Develops Smart Watch for Visually Impaired

Figure 1 shows for fitness tracking, the watch has a Photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor that can read heart rate and blood oxygen level (SpO2) along with an accelerometer to measure the steps and keep track of daily activity. It can also provide hydration reminders and has a smart timer that allows users to set short timers using unique hand gestures. [2]

Smartwatch will Benefit the Visually Impaired

Around 49 million blind and 285 million visually impaired persons in the world face difficulty in easily interacting with devices due to the absence of tactile interface.

India is home to about 20% of the total blind people in the world. Addressing the concern, the team at IIT Kanpur has developed a smartwatch that operates in haptic mode. Haptics deals with the technology that stimulates the sense of touch. [3]

According to the institute, about 285 million visually impaired persons in the world face difficulty in easily interacting with devices due to the absence of tactile interface. India is home to about 20% of the total visually impaired people in the world. Haptics deals with the technology that stimulates the sense of touch. [4]

References:

1. https://www.electronicsforu.com/market-verticals/automation/iit-kanpur-develops-smart-watch-for-visually-impaired
2. https://www.techcircle.in/2022/05/29/iit-kanpur-develops-haptic-smartwatch-for-blind-visually-impaired
3. https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/iit-kanpur-develops-haptic-smart-watch-for-the-blind-and-the-visually-impaired-1955424-2022-05-28
4. https://www.telegraphindia.com/edugraph/news/iit-kanpur-researchers-develop-haptic-smart-watch-for-visually-impaired-persons/cid/1867423

Cite this article:

Thanusri swetha J (2022), IIT Kanpur Develops Smart Watch for Visually Impaired, Anatechmaz, pp. 79