What it does
This handheld Braille embosser lets visually impaired users mark their clothes with tactile Braille characters. It creates durable, washable tags that help users identify garments independently, without relying on memory or external help.
Your inspiration
This started during a field trip to St. Xavier’s College for our Art, Design and Society course, where we came across a blind research institute. That visit really stuck with me, I wanted to work on something that could actually help people. I started reading forums and Reddit threads to understand what blind users were facing, but most of it felt very western, privileged, and tech-heavy. I wanted to see what life was really like here in India. So I went to a blind school with zero assumptions, just to listen. That’s where I realised how something as simple as identifying clothes can be such a frustrating, everyday struggle.
How it works
The device works in two simple steps. First, it fuses a small plastic strip onto the inside of a clothing item using a built-in heating pad. Then, using swappable Braille dies, the user embosses a tactile Braille symbol onto the strip by squeezing the handles. The raised dots are easy to feel and can represent a garment’s category, color, or pairing—based on what the user prefers. The tag is durable, machine-washable, and always placed in a consistent spot to make it easy to find. The device is fully mechanical and powered by a small rechargeable battery for heating. It requires no external tools and can be operated independently after a short onboarding. Dies can be mixed and matched to form any Braille letter, and the embossing process takes less than a minute once the user is familiar with it. The product is designed specifically for visually impaired users to bring more autonomy into everyday clothing decisions.
Design process
The project began with field visits to a blind school where I observed the everyday workarounds blind individuals use to identify clothes, such as pairing them permanently or relying on memory. I explored multiple concepts, including a tactile pregnancy kit, but shifted focus to wardrobe accessibility after realizing its emotional and practical significance. The process started with mapping the lifecycle of how blind users interact with clothing. I realized the problem wasn’t just technical; it was cognitive, emotional, and social. I experimented with various tagging materials, from Velcro to fabric paints, before landing on embossing a plastic strip. Multiple prototypes were created, starting with basic hand-cut stamps and evolving into more compact, plier-like forms with interchangeable Braille dies. I tested different heating methods, punch pressures, and materials that could withstand machine washing. Through iterative testing and feedback, I simplified the embossing steps, made the dies more intuitive to insert, and ensured the entire product could be operated independently after a quick demo. The final prototype balances durability, usability, and cost, without compromising dignity.
How it is different
Unlike existing solutions that rely on expensive electronics, voice assistants, or AI-driven apps, this product is completely low-tech, tactile, and self-reliant. It doesn't need a phone, Wi-Fi, or screen, just a pair of hands. While most current methods involve makeshift hacks like safety pins, permanent outfit pairing, or help from others, this device gives users a consistent, durable, and personalized way to label their clothes using Braille. It's also washable, affordable, and works without sight or supervision. Most importantly, it respects the user’s independence—offering a private, reliable solution that fits seamlessly into their daily routine. A hot question is - why not just use smartphones to do it? Well, the entire activity of locating and operating the smartphone to do the same thing involves much more friction and cognitive load as compared to just touching a protruded dot to identify different clothes.
Future plans
The next steps include filing for a patent to protect the design and functionality. I plan to refine the prototype further for mass production using cost-effective materials and accessible manufacturing methods. The goal is to collaborate with NGOs, blind schools, and accessibility organizations to distribute the product at scale, especially in low-income and rural communities. I also aim to create a simple onboarding kit in regional languages to ensure ease of adoption. Ultimately, the vision is to make this an affordable, widely available tool that becomes part of every visually impaired person's daily life.
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