Prototypes that help people with disabilities

Cuenca, miércoles 15 enero 2020
Nicolás Pozo with the walking stick
Nicolás Pozo with the walking stick

 

Students and professors who are part of the UNESCO's chairs program assistive technologies for inclusive education presented two prototypes, one that will help people with visual impairment and another to help detect physical and emotional problems.

The aim of the chairs program is to provide access, participation and training to people who for several reasons have been excluded from education; children, teenagers and adults who suffer from some kind of disability, indigenous people and those in vulnerable situations. 

Walking stick

Nicolas Pozo, a student, presented a walking stick prototype for people with visual impairment that has electronic sensors and a laser, capable of detecting obstacles within a range of 180 degrees which will make people with visual impairment feel safe and independent when walking. The stick also has an ergonomic handle and a vibration system that will notify you when there is an obstacle around. The main difference with other canes is the coverage area.

Smart pencil

David Moscoso, a student majoring in electronics engineering, presented a smart pencil digitizer of strokes, aimed at boys and girls from 4 to 9 years old, which works as part of a wider integrated system and is able to detect problems in motor skills and also behavioral problems through the force the pencil is being used with, the strokes it makes and the time it is used.

Members of the UNESCO chairs program are pleased to see that every time there are more and more students who present different projects aimed at helping society.