How it Works

Our 1st generation prototype is shown above. It demonstrates a working proof of concept.

Tactile Sight Inc. has developed a tactile directional belt that is worn when visual capabilities are limited or absent. The user is able to “see” where they are going via tactile sensations that are transmitted through vibrations on a belt. This is accomplished by combining Global Positioning System (GPS), a three-axis compass and inertial sensors that integrate information from satellites, the Earth’s magnetic & gravitational fields in an embedded computer technology that produces tactile sensations.

There are four motors located on the belt, each corresponding to a cardinal direction. The motor vibrates in the direction that the wearer is programmed to veer towards. For instance, a vibration at the front of the belt would indicate to the wearer to move forward. If a landmark's direction is inbetween the cardinal direction, the 2 corresponding motors vibrate in a pattern that facilitates interpolation by the user. Landmarks are located using a GPS navigator or the digital compass which identifies magnetic North. A Bluetooth interface downloads user-defined landmarks from a map application on a cell phone.