Shape-changing haptic navigation technology for visually impaired persons

Project Summary

This project will establish the feasibility of using a proprietary shape-changing haptic navigation technology to guide visually impaired persons through UK public transport networks.

Project Achievements

Activities • Design, manufacture and testing of a series of prototypes. • Establishment of a permanent laboratory space and technology benchmarking set up. • Securing IP protection via a patent filing. • Building the development team.

Conclusions

• Determined that our shape-changing vector deliver technology is effective. • Significant follow-on funding has been secured including £150k from angel investors, and a £500k grant from Innovate UK. • We’ve secured three letters of support/intent from big industry players. • TRIG has transformed MakeSense from a one-person start-up into a company with three full-time employees. • We’ve advanced the technology from TRL2 to TRL3/4.

Next Steps

• Large scale trials with blind volunteers in collaboration with Blind Veterans UK. • Further development and refinement of the haptic interface technology. • Integration of our computer vision interface with other technologies such as multi=constellation GPS. • We intend to have a marketable product in late 2024. The price point is likely to be around £4000, which is <90% cheaper than a guide dog. We anticipate that consumers will pay for the device, like they do for competing products i/e/ Orcam, Envision etc.