One of the nice things about the approaching cybernetic age is that it offers us all sorts of new opportunities to improve the lives of the disabled. One such idea that’s been kicked around for a while is a “smart stick” for blind folks. The stick would feature sensors that can “see” for its users. This has remained an entirely theoretical device, at least until a couple of high schoolers from Egypt worked up the gumption to make it happen.
Ahmed Nabil and his team of gadgeteers have already developed a working prototype smart stick and tested it in the field with the aid of their teacher. The stick is a bit on the skeletal side at the moment, but it already has rotating sensors that feed warnings and directions to the user via an on-board speaker or connected headphones.
Future iterations of the device will be fitted with GPS functionality, allowing for more accurate directions, as well as a service that would allow the user, via voice command, to send a message and location to a caregiver in the event they get lost. I don’t know if these kids are creating this thing for a grade or out of the goodness of their hearts, but if it’s the former, they deserve an A+. Is there anything higher than that? A++? Yeah, I’m making that up right now. Give those boys an A++.
