IIT Kanpur develops a haptic smartwatch to aid the visually impaired

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.