Introducing the robo-cane

Robotics Technology
Introducing the robo-cane

eyeRobot.jpg
The first thing I thought, seeing this project which turns an iRobot Create into a robotic cane for the blind, is that it’s a prime example of “inappropriate” technology. If you’ve ever seen a blind person use a cane, you can tell it’s this incredibly sensitive and nimble feeler, an extension of the person’s arm and their “touch sensors.” So the idea of putting a slow, relatively dumb robot on the end of that “feeler” doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. But nonetheless, this is a really cool, ambitious build, with a lot of interesting tech at work, such as the design for the speed detection system (the cane slides along a rail on top of the Create and a slide potentiometer reads the speed of the cane’s movement and changes the speed of the bot accordingly). Not sure about the application as designed, but who knows where it could lead? The idea of a “smart cane” certainly has legs (so to speak).

This was any entry in the Instrucatbles iRobot Create Challenge. The contest deadline was Sept 9, but the winners have not yet been announced.

eyeRobot – The Robotic White Cane – Link

4 thoughts on “Introducing the robo-cane

  1. heath007 says:

    You spent more time talking about how this was impractical than talking about the actual project. Next time try to keep the commentary to a minimum.

  2. entrope says:

    Um…the man is *paid* for his commentary, heath007. Also, seems to me he spent equal time talking about the project.

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

View more articles by Gareth Branwyn

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK