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26th February 2002

Batcane ready to fly

After six months of rigorous design and testing, the "Batcane" CCL has developed for Sound Foresight Ltd is ready for user trials. This is the revolutionary product designed to help blind and partially sighted people build a mind map of their environment and so aid independent mobility. It gives the user a unique spatial awareness, and is much safer than a conventional white cane as it detects obstacles in front of, around and vitally above or at user head-height.

CCL has now delivered a number of prototype models to Sound Foresight Ltd for global trials. These will be conducted in the UK, US and Canada and Germany in conjunction with established bodies such as Guide Dogs for the Blind (UK), Retina International (Germany), the American Council for the Blind (US) and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Results are expected to be available by the end of April this year.

The concept works in a similar way to that of a bat, emitting ultrasound pulses and then 'listening' to the ultrasound echo as it reflects from objects nearby. The process known as echolocation, enables the bat to manoeuvre its way around obstacles in absolute darkness. Whilst details of how the product actually works remain confidential at this stage of the development, the device will allow users to build a spatial map of objects in their vicinity.

Andrew Diston who leads the project at CCL commented, "CCL's engineers have really enjoyed using their skills in electronics, mechanics and ergonomics to provide a simple and elegant product for Sound Foresight. The clever part has been to make a complicated piece of engineering look great and operate so intuitively. The trials will allow us to explore the way in which users interact with the cane in real life so that we can make the production version even better."

The simplicity of the unit is such that no programmability is required - just put in a set of fresh AA batteries and it starts to work. The cane has been designed to facilitate greater freedom and independence for the visually impaired user, whilst still a primary aid based on the concept of the traditional white cane.

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