Mapua students develop mobile phone for blind users

A group of computer engineering students has created a Braille mobile phone that can help the blind enjoy the conveniences of modern mobile communication.

 

The electronic gadget, created by computer engineering students of the Mapua Institute of Technology, also acts as a detection system for the blind.

 

Dubbed the “Wearable Obstacle Detection System and Braille Cell Phone for the Blind,” the gadget made it to the top 10 of the 8th Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP) Innovations and Excellence Awards. 

 

Its developers include Janiena Roxanne Dirain, Kristine Emy Matabang and Girly Perando.

 

“We created this technology to give back to the blind. We often see and hear them singing and playing the guitar on the streets and, admit it or not, they really have wonderful voices. Some of the students, during a tough day at school, would go to them for a massage,” said Dirain. 

 

Matabang added their group was ecstatic when they found out about their inclusion to the final 10.

 

“We are truly grateful to be one of the finalists. Our work is now being recognized even if that was our first time to join a contest outside [Mapúa]. Also, we felt the pressure… we need to work harder [for the finals],” she said. 

 

Dirain’s group said they joined the competition for experience and the chance to showcase the design they had worked hard on.

 

Also, Dirain said their group learned how technology can change the lives of other people.

 

“We also learned through the competition that innovating is not just for inventors but for everyone; each one of us should just open our eyes and let our imaginations soar,” she said.

 

Sensor and phone

 

The gadget has a sensor that can detect objects within five meters. It can be worn on the wrist or as a belt.

 

It also serves as a Braille mobile phone where the visually impaired may be able to receive and answer text messages and calls.

 

Text messages can be read per character.

 

Five months in development

 

The students, under the supervision of mentor Ayra Panganiban, took five months to finish the project.

 

During those five months, they made changes to the design, including adopting biometric features.

 

“We had many layouts for this device and even tried to hear suggestions from the blind until we came out with the final design of the Braille cell phone, which is placed in a box case. The sensor is connected far from the device through long wires for the blind to move it flexibly,” said Perando.

 

She added that when they entered the finals of the Smart Sweep competition, they made further improvements to the design to make it wearable.

 

The SWEEP Innovations and Excellence Awards is an annual event that aims to promote technology and innovation for the betterment of the people.

 

It was the second time that Mapúa joined the annual competition. Its entries have regularly made it to the top 10.

 

For the 8th SWEEP competition, two teams from the Institute were shortlisted, including a group of electronics engineering (ECE) students who designed a device called the “The Fault Line Data Acquisition and Monitoring System.”

 

The Smart SWEEP finals will take place on February 21 and the announcement of winners is on February 22.  — TJD, GMA News