During trials of the device, dubbed Shape, visually impaired participants using the device performed as well as sighted participants relying on natural vision when performing navigation tasks.

Source: Dr. Ad Spiers/Imperial College London

Making this possible, its developers explained, is that Shape is a haptic-based navigation device that enables users to perceive their surroundings via touch. With the device, users can determine their direction and avoid obstacles by sensing the subtle changes in the device’s shape.

“Shape is unusual because it uses our ability to understand information through touch in a way that goes beyond vibration. Humans have an innate ability to feel and interpret shapes through our hands, with very little concentration. Exploiting this allows us to create a device that is simple to learn and isn’t tiring to use,” explained the researchers.

The team tested the device by evaluating how visually impaired and sighted individuals located targets in a virtual reality environment. Visually impaired participants used either the Shape device or other vibration-based technology, while sighted participants relied on their natural vision.

The team concluded that visually impaired users performed as well with the Shape device as sighted individuals. Further, the Shape device proved much faster and was more preferred than traditional vibration technology.

An article detailing the haptic device, “A shape-changing haptic navigation interface for vision impairment,” appears in the journal Nature Scientific Reports.