Research state: Opportunity
Horizon scan, innovation. BAT ‘K’ sonar cane add-on appliance
The ‘K’ Sonar can be clipped on to an existing cane to help detect obstacles within a 5 metre range through the use of transducers that send and receive ultrasonic waves. The user receives audible signals through earphones, and the closer the object the lower the sound-pitch and vice versa. There is the option to use the device without a cane as it is still able to detect objects in the immediate vicinity. It takes an average of 2-3 hours to learn how to use the device.
Company: BAT, New Zealand
Components: transducer transmitter and receiver of ultrasonic waves