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"[#image: /photos/57d8c1bf24fe9dae32832b09]||||||\\n\\nA pretty nifty new device called the [Smartcane](http://smartcane.saksham.org/) is making a major difference in the vision impaired communities in underprivileged populations across the world.\\n\\nSo you know how bats send out sonar calls and use the echoes to assess their surroundings? Well, the genius technology in this simple-looking walking stick operates in a similar way, sending out ultrasound waves and alerting the user with vibrations to indicate the obstacles it detects. Maybe there's a low-hanging tree branch 3 meters away on the right? No sweat; already dodged thanks to a swift buzz.\\n\\nA pretty nifty new device called the Smartcane is making a major difference in the vision impaired communities in underprivileged populations across the world.\\n\\nSo you know how bats send out sonar calls and use the echoes to assess their surroundings? Well, the genius technology in this simple-looking walking stick operates in a similar way, sending out ultrasound waves and alerting the user with vibrations to indicate the obstacles it detects. Maybe there's a low-hanging tree branch 3 meters away on the right? No sweat; already dodged thanks to a swift buzz.\\n\\nDeveloped by a team from the Indian Institute of Technology in Dehli, the Smartcane is making waves not only because of the design (similar ones, like the [Ultracane](http://www.ultracane.com/), already exist) but also because it rings in at an affordable price point: $50, or 3,000 Indian rupees.\\n\\n\\\"We are targeting low-cost economies, starting with India,\\\" says Meenakshi Balakrishnan, a professor and engineer leading up the Smartcane team. \\\"There are 5 million people estimated to be blind who are of productive age and need independent mobility to work or go to school and be part of the mainstream.\\\" The makers aim to partner with government institutions and NGOs to get the word (and Smartcane) out to the masses.\\n\\n*[[CNN](http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/20/tech/innovation/sonar-sticks-use-ultrasound-blind/)]*\\n\\n RELATED:\\n\\n- [Would You Wear a \\\"Smart\\\" Ring?](http://www.self.com/flash/fashion-blog/2014/06/ringly-smartphone-connected/)\\n- [A Vending Machine that Tweets Your Sneaky Snacking?](http://www.self.com/flash/nutrition/2014/04/nutrition-a-vending-machine-that-tweets/)\\n- [This Freaky-Cool Cup Can Help You Count Calories](http://www.self.com/flash/technology/2014/06/smart-cup-vessyl-can-tell-what-youre-drinking-help-count-calories/)\\n\\nImage Credit: *Wellcome Images*"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.self.com/story/cool-sonar-walking-sticks-use-ultrasound-guide-blind-people>