VIMA is a smart hand-held tool designed by 3 undergraduate students to improve the autonomy of the visually impaired in busy urban environments.
VIMA was showcased at the launch of Sister, Manchester's new Innovation District, in September 2024 and will be exhibited at the Sister Renold Hub for the next 12 months.
We also submitted VIMA as our entry for the 2024 James Dyson Award.
For more information, contact us, or share your feedback, please visit the VIMA website: https://www.vima-tech.co.uk/
VIMA is a detachable handle harnessing strategically placed sensors and vibration actuators providing real time feedback to sense obstacles.
It detects overhanging objects and replicates white cane sensations providing a seamless transition into virtual canes.
VIMA mimics the forces experienced using a typical cane employing pulse width modulation and triggering the user's muscle memory.
FEA analysis was carried our to build a database of scenarios and the different force distributions.
It takes inspiration from the haptic feedback of video game controllers, promoting proprioception.
Unlike previous overengineered smart canes that "felt unfamiliar", VIMA's varying vibration intensity and location create a more natural transition to smart cane usage.
Our user-centered design process, guided by feedback from NGOs, online forums, and researchers, has gone through several iterations.
Earlier prototypes featured cube actuators for targeted vibrations and a rotating Fibonacci-inspired shape for increasing vibration.
The electronic system was set up using TinkerCAD and the assembly was created on SOLIDWORKS.
Consisting of multiple ultrasound sensors and vibration motors, proximity detection is utilised to warn users of incoming obstacles.
VIMA accounts for overhanging objects, such as low ceilings and road signs, ensuring sensitive obstacle detection.
VIMA is still in progress and our first prototype was 3D printed to get a sense of the ergonomics.
We have entered in the 2024 James Dyson Award and look forward to improve our design and account for more scenarios.
We are refining the code to handle tactile pavings, crucial for navigation.
Further working prototypes are in the works, this time including different electronics systems and testing new materials.
