Comments
As new smart devices flood the markets, India will soon have its own brand of smart device for the visually challenged.
IIT Delhi and Chennai-based Phoenix Medical Systems are set to launch an innovative Smart Cane, a navigation and mobility aid for the visually challenged, which is expected to cost less than ₹2,000.
Long-range sensors The device uses ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles up to three kilometres away and the range of the detected obstacles is conveyed using vibratory signals with different vibration characteristics. It is designed as a user-detachable unit and is powered by rechargeable battery.
This is one of the products being developed and marketed under the Wellcome Trust initiative, which funds translational research for affordable healthcare in India. The global charitable foundation is funding about £30 million for such projects that aim at translating basic science to affordable and innovative healthcare products.
“The smart cane product, conceptualised by IIT Delhi and being produced by Phoenix, is set to be launched in the market within a month,” Ted Bianco, Director of Technology Transfer, Wellcome Trust, told Business Line on the sidelines of a medical summit here.
Although India does not produce any smart canes as visual aids, some imported devices are available locally, costing about ₹20,000 each. “Our design emphasis has been on affordability. We have carried out extensive user trials across multiple locations,” Shirshendu Mukherjee, Sr Advisor, India Initiative, Wellcome Trust, said.
Another product under this programme that is close to commercial launch is a hand-held ophthalmoscope that can detect retinopathy. This product is being developed by Remidio, a Bangalore-based product design and development firm, under the Wellcome Trust transfer of technology programme.
Innovative healthcare “This product will cost less than half of the ophthalmoscopes available in the market, which are also centralised in their availability. Our product is a battery operated one with reflex free retinal imaging. We are also making a mobile platform for the product so that it can transfer the images to doctors located far away for providing the report,” Mukherjee said.
Comments
COMMENT NOW
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.