Mangaluru: To enable the visually impaired / blind person to move around freely within indoor environments like home or office or any unfamiliar spaces, with freedom and without facing any obstacles, RDL Technologies has invented a product by using visible light communication.
VL Glass is a simple looking yet highly advanced glass which a blind or visual impaired person can wear. Also called ‘Versatile Personal Mobility Assistant’, it is a seamless, indoor navigator, that helps the person to navigate around the obstacles avoiding mishaps and dangerous objects. It enables the individual to move around with confidence and independence allowing the person to retain his self-respect.
The startup said that by using the visible light for communication and eliminating the dependence on the RF waves, people are protected from exposure to harmful RF radiations.
Working mechanism of VL Glass:
VL Glass is simply a pair of spectacles and a frame. Yet, it’s highly advanced and a technological marvel. A lot of research by RDL has gone into developing the prototype.
On the bridge that connects the two glasses on the frame, a sensor is implanted. This sensor called VILR – visible light Infrared receiver receives signals through visible light communication. On the part of the frame close to the earlobe, vibrators are fixed on both sides. Speakers fit at the end of the frame do the work of an earphone. A battery is also cleverly mounted on the frame to power this electronic gadget.
Visually challenged individuals normally depend on others to navigate in an unfamiliar place. They can also get injured by bumping into unknown objects and obstructions. However, when a person wearing the gadget walks under the LED lights which are strategically fixed on the roof of the room, the sensor scans the indoor environment and sends the signal through the vibrator. The smart device passes instructions through the speakers warning about potential obstructions in the room. It instructs the person to sit down on the sofa when he walks near it.
Another very interesting feature is that the device tells the wearer his position within the room using its in-built accurate 3D positioning system.
Seamless indoor navigation without GPS positioning allows the person to move freely. Therefore this device enables visually challenged to be independent.
VL Glass is a product of the research team at RDL Visible Light Communication and Research Centre which is located within the Sahyadri Innovation hub at Sahyadri Campus. Equipped with VLC based systems, it offers a platform for future R&D.
RDL VLC Lab was inaugurated by Dr. Sudhir Kumar Mishra, CEO & MD BrahMos Aerospace, DRDO on March 26, 2018.
A press release from RDL said that it acknowledges the intense, dedicated research by a strong team of Engineers, Faculty members, researchers and students of Sahyadri Engineering College, Mangalore, in their incubation facility.
RDL Technologies is supported by the innovative “Sahyadri Innovation Hub” under the Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management, Mangalore.
The team at RDL Technologies is headed by Raghavendra Shetty, director and CEO.
