Tunisian engineering students invent smart walking stick to help visually impaired

World
Europe

By CGTN's Oliver Jarvis

Imagine for a moment you were blind – and the challenges that it brings on a daily basis. It’s the same across the world. That’s where a group of Tunisian student engineers come in. They’ve invented a device that helps guide blind people.

Since his birth, Ahmed’s first steps were a challenging experience. He’s nearly 60 and life doesn’t seem brighter. He was born blind. However, this handicap did not prevent him from working, getting married and raising successful children. Yet, crossing the street is still a daily adventure. Many drivers do not understand his signals while others ignore Ahmed’s white cane.

“I call on drivers to be patient. Sometimes, I risk my life while crossing the street because cars do not stop. I’m working with many government agencies and associations to sensitise Tunisian drivers about blind people’s rights on the road,” Ahmed told CGTN Africa.

Tunisian students invent device to help the visually impaired. /CGTN Photo

The research laboratory at Esprit is one of the best private universities in Tunisia. Engineering students have developed a prototype white walking stick that will facilitate the everyday life of blind people or those who have low-vision.

For over six months, Mariem and her classmates spent hundreds of hours looking for the best solution to guide blind individuals. Many white sticks were tested. The final smart blind guidance system should see light in a few weeks.

“We’ve made a simple but revolutionary device that can detect any obstacle in the street,” Mariem, an engineering student, told CGTN Africa.

Tunisian students invent device to help the visually impaired. /CGTN Photo

“Our research group has worked closely with blind people to identify and understand their problems. Then we’ve found adequate solutions. Now the system works very well. We’ve finished the experimentation phase.”

This year, the engineering students won an innovation award at a national competition. Now they are looking for an investor to commercialize 1,000 prototypes.

Tunisian students invent device to help the visually impaired. /CGTN Photo

“The commercialisation of the prototypes aims to finance other research projects. We’ll provide the white stick for a symbolic price. We’re not looking for financial benefit. Our goal is to give hope to the blind people,” Mariem added.

Tunisia’s National Institute of Statistics says there are 45,000 blind people in the country, but World Health Organisation officials believe the numbers are underestimated. Tunisian civil society organizations are calling on municipalities to improve street infrastructure in order to help blind pedestrians.

8653km