3D printed tactile map for the visually impaired

ga(‘send’, ‘event’, ‘Uncategorized’, ‘article’, ‘article-industry-impression’, {nonInteraction: true});

Here at Springwise, we have featured a number of innovations aimed at people who are visually impaired. For example, a college graduate in Israel has created a new camera that creates 3D photos to allow people who are blind to see photos through touch. Another innovation is navigation app developed by students at a university in Poland that sends personalised alerts to students who are blind. Now, Howard Kaplan, a visualisation specialist at the University of South Florida, US, has created a tactile map to help people who are blind or have visual impairments navigate around different environments.

The three dimensional map allows users to navigate around various environments by tracing the raised features with their fingertips. Kaplan has developed a tactile code to accompany his 3D map, developing 3D symbols for walls, hallways, paths and more. He then tested these maps with visually impaired and blind people at the University of South Florida. Students tested the portable maps while carrying them around. Larger maps were placed on the wall outside a classroom to guide students entering the room.

When researching existing maps for the visually impaired, Kaplan found that they were simple and not durable. His own map design uses hard plastic. It is also mountable on walls or can be small enough to carry around. Kaplan hopes anyone can use his software to produce a tactile 3D map for any space by Spring 2019.

Takeaway: A tactile 3D map may help increase the accessibility and safety of public spaces for visually impaired and blind people. What other new designs can help create more inclusive and accessible environments?

Website: www.usf.edu
Country: www.twitter.com/USouthFlorida

Source: New feed 1