The IIT Kanpur has yet again proven its prowess in the field of technology and innovation with its novel haptic smartwatch for the visually impaired. This is a unique touch-sensitive watch, developed by the National Centre for Flexible Electronics to aid those who are visually compromised. As per reports, the watch design is tactile-optimum, constructed to relay information via sense and vibrations.

Marking a significant feat in the use of technology for the specially-abled, the Indian Institute of Technology, under the guidance of Prof Siddhartha Panda, Department of Chemical Engineering and Mr Vishwaraj Srivastava has developed a special smartwatch for the blind.

The one-of-its-kind watch is installed with features and a futuristic tactile interface, which can be easily navigated by a visually challenged or impaired individual.

According to Abhay Karandikar, Director IIT-Kanpur, the haptic smartwatch not only helps a person to read time by vibrations but also allows them to use a different app. The watch makes use of a touch-sense friendly system for the same.

"Sensors for capturing health-related parameters like heart rate, SpO2 etc are built-in. All these parameters can be individually read & felt using the haptic menu. The watch also has a special feature called a 'smart timer', which is used to set short-timers using simple gestures.", the Director elaborated in a tweet.

The invention is a big step towards using technology for the benefit of mankind. A prosthetic addition to the life of a visually impaired individual, the IIT-Kanpur smartwatch marks the beginning of the new-tech world, which has an equal terrain for all.