Was es macht
It includes a small signal transmitter, a pair of gloves, and a pair of ankle rings. It enables blind people to overcome their fear of hitting walls and learn to swim by measuring distances in the pool space.
Deine Inspiration
In the news, I learned about a blind swimmer. Compared to normal people, her training is very difficult and requires an assistant on the shore to use a special stick to remind her not to touch the wall. I want to provide guidance to the blind through vibration, and because swimming is mainly a movement of the limbs, I have designed a solution for gloves and ankle rings.
So funktioniert es
The dual-mode positioning array combines infrared sensors at the pool's four corners and RF signal sensors for accurate distance measurement, timestamp calibration, and time difference calculation. The TDoA algorithm calculates real-time positions, ensuring precise positioning. Lane segmentation encoding assigns unique IDs to lane transmitters via RF signals, preventing interference. Haptic feedback devices on the hands and feet have micro-vibration motors for steering, forward/backward, and stop controls. The system offers safety, navigation, and personalized experiences for blind swimmers.
Designprozess
I first learned about the existing products and found that the most advanced one is to use high-precision GPS technology to help blind people swim. I think achieving high-precision GPS is difficult, and implementing blind assisted swimming in some large swimming pools can already meet most of the needs. I conceived the deployment of distance measurement for the site and designed the signal transmission end. Regarding the receiving end, considering that swimming is a movement of the limbs, measuring the distance between the limbs can determine whether it has touched the wall. Therefore, we chose wristbands and ankle rings. Because blind people are more receptive to vibration interaction, and their palms are more sensitive to vibrations, the wristband was changed to gloves. In interaction design, I hope to achieve the core requirement of preventing blind people from hitting walls, so I have reduced the functionality to minimalism. In this way, I can achieve all functions through simple vibration.
Warum es anders ist
My design is designed for indoor swimming pool environments, so it uses the technology of measuring the distance of indoor underwater light signals and radio frequency signals. Compared to high-precision GPS technology, it is easier to implement and this design can meet the swimming needs of most blind people. In addition, my interaction method follows the principle of minimalism, informing blind people of information only through vibration. At the same time, considering the fear caused by the unfamiliarity of blind people in underwater environments, I have greatly enhanced the presence of vibration interaction, which can help blind people overcome their fear.
Pläne für die Zukunft
The pool signal scheme is more cost-effective and user-friendly in enclosed water environments, especially suitable for promotion in Paralympic training bases or public swimming pools; GPS wristbands have better adaptability in multiple scenarios, but there are significant cost and technical bottlenecks. In the future, a hybrid solution (such as pool signalers+terrestrial guide glasses) can be used to achieve full area barrier free coverage.
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