SmartCane

Product Description

The SmartCane is an electronic device that fits as a handle on walking sticks or white canes used by visually impaired people. The SmartCane adds additional functionality to the cane or walking stick, which can only detect obstacles up to knee height, by enabling obstacle detection from knee to head height using sonic waves.

Target SDGs

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

Market Suggested Retail Price

$90.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

The SmartCane is distributed by these organizations: Amedia Corporation Akiyama, Access to Success, Distripharm LTD, Bahiru Abas Advertising Company, Namad Fanavari Emrooz Co, Christian Foundation for the Blind, Disability Management Services (DMS), Braille Press Limited, along with many other Indian partners.

Manufacturing/Building Method

The SmartCane is mass produced at Phoenix Medical's Chennai based production facility.

Intellectural Property Type

Patent

User Provision Model

Users may purchase the SmartCane through one of the many distribution partners, through the ADIP scheme in India or through other countries as listed.

Distributions to Date Status

Over 20,000 SmartCanes have been distributed as of 2019.

Height (cm)

0.24 cm

User height (cm)

Any

Weight (kg)

0.136 kg (device and battery)

Weight capacity (kg)

None

Target population

Visually impaired

Power Supply Type

Rechargeable Li-Ion battery

Indispensable equipment for function (Y/N)

White cane

Design Specifications

Device Specifications: - Dimensions (H x W x D): 240 x 53 x 32 mm - Grip Height: 190 mm - Maximum Grip Diameter: 32.5 mm - Sensor-angle Settings : 3 Settings (0°, 17.8° and 35.6°) - White Cane Diameter Range: 12.8 mm to 13.04 mm - SmartCane Material: Polycarbonate - Electrical Protection: Class II, Type BF - Operating Temperature: -10° to +50° C - Storage Temperature: -25° to +70° C - Relative Humidity Range: 15% to 93% (RH) - Storage Humidity Rang: 0% to 95% (RH) - Barometric Pressure Range: 700 to 1060 hPa - Storage Pressure Range: 0 to 1060 hPa - Ingress protection: IP22 - Average Vibration Intensity: 0.8 m/s² - Minimum Vibration Intensity: 0.6 m/s² - Maximum Vibration Intensity: 2.3 m/s² - Audible Alarms: > 65 dB(A) - White Cane Length: 100 cm - Comes with long-range and short-range modes

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Training resources are provided in many languages by Saksham. Users may also contact the email an/or phone number provided on the SmartCane website. Often, the SmartCane distributors can provide the device, training, user support, and repair support in their respective country. The warranty for a SmartCaneTM Device lasts for twelve months from the date of purchase.

Replacement Components

Replacements: The battery is rechargeable. However it can be replaced at the manufacturer's authorized service centers if needed. In certain cases the user can request for a replacement of the white cane if does not fit their height requirements.

Lifecycle

A fully charged battery can last for 8 hours of continuous use. The expected service life is five years according to the user manual which can be downloaded here.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The designers seek to address the need of alerting the visually-impaired of obstacles above knee-height, especially in crowded countries such as India.

Vetted Performance Status

The National Association for the Blind confirmed proof of concept. The SmartCane has also received the National Award from the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment under the category of “Best Applied Research/Innovation/Product Development Aimed at Improving the Life of Persons with Disabilities”.

Safety

Safety precautions can be found in the FAQ section of the SmartCane website and in the user manual. The user should continue following other safety precautions normally observed during independent cane mobility.

Complementary Technical Systems

Functioning electrical outlets are required to charge the device.

Academic Research and References

Singh, V., Paul, R., Mehra, D., Gupta, A., Sharma, V.D., Jain, S., Agarwal, C., Garg, A., Gujral, S.S., Balakrishnan, M. and Paul, K., 2010, ‘Smart’Cane for the Visually Impaired: Design and Controlled Field Testing of an Affordable Obstacle Detection System, TRANSED 2010: 12th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons, Hong Kong, China, June 1-4, 2010.

Balakrishnan, M., Paul, K., Garg, A., Paul, R., Mehra, D., Singh, V., Rao, P.V.M., Goel, V., Chatterjee, D. and Manocha, D., 2007, Cane Mounted Knee-Above Obstacle Detection and Warning System for the Visually Impaired, Proceedings of the IDETC/CIE, Las Vegas, NV, September 4-7, 2007, ASME Paper No. DETC2007-35238, pp. 143-151.

Rohan, P., Ankush, G., Vaibhav, S., Dheeraj, M., Balakrishnan, M., Kolin, P. and Dipendra, M., 2007, ‘Smart’Cane for the Visually Impaired: Technological Solutions for Detecting Knee-Above Obstacles and Accessing Public Buses, 11th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons (TRANSED) Transport, Montreal, Canada, June 18-21, 2007.

Chitranshi, G. and Yadav, R.K., 2014, Assistive Aids for the Disabled: Past, Present and Future, Confluence The Next Generation Information Technology Summit (Confluence), 2014 5th International Conference, Noida, India, Sept 25-26, 2014.

Elmannai, W. and Elleithy, K., 2017, Sensor-Based Assistive Devices for Visually-Impaired People: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Directions, Sensors, 17(3), p. 565.

SmartCane. “Procurement under ADIP Scheme: Smartcane.” Smartcane Device, 2020.

SmartCane. “Availability – Other Countries: Smartcane.” Smartcane Device, 2020.

SmartCane. “Manufacturing: Smartcane.” Smartcane Device. 2020.

SmartCane. “Specifications: Smartcane.” Smartcane Device. 2020.

SmartCane. “Training Resourses: Smartcane.” Smartcane Device. 2020.

SmartCane. “FAQs: Smartcane.” Smartcane Device. 2020.

RAMAKRISHNAN, AMRIT. “A Smart Solution for the Visually-Impaired.” BusinessLine, January 23, 2018.

Compliance with regulations

The SmartCane design uses ISO certified processes for Design, Manufacture, Sales and Service and the cane is CE marked.

Evaluation methods

Researchers conducted user trials with over 150 people focusing on weight, size, ergonomics, electronics packaging, improving usability, reliability and maintainability of the product. Extensive multi-locations user feedback revealed many new requirements that helped in refining the product. Various grip configurations for the SmartCane were tested with a large group to assess grip ergonomics.

Other Information

Press release