Animotus - a box of directions through tactile feedback

Yale University engineer Adam Spiers developed a directional box named Animotus. The device is built with 3D printing technology, wireless connection and acts as a tactile compass . Thus, you can easily find your way even if you don't see anything.

Directional box according to tactile feedback

Spiers said that during the production process, project participants - including those with normal vision and blind people - were put in a completely dark space and asked to walk four steps at a time. Voice guidance and sound effects for them to easily visualize the space. In each hand is an Animotus box that can lead by changing the shape in the corresponding direction. Animotus consists of many blocks made with 3D printers, so it can change the shape according to the instructions transmitted remotely through wireless communication, thereby helping the person know their position in the ambient environment. around. Of course they are in the dark room, how does Animotus do this?

Animotus directions box.

The upper half of the box will rotate to direct the user to the next location, then this half will slide forward to signal the distance to go. As a result, instead of looking at the device, users with Animotus on hand can capture the path with touch and the device can communicate with users in a more discreet and efficient way. According to Spiers, most tactile feedback devices are usually based on vibrations (like vibrations on the phone) and can make users uncomfortable and if used for guidance, users may be distracted. .

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This device was devised by Spiers when he joined the reality show Flatland - a TV game based on Edwin A. Abbott's novel in 1884 on a two-dimensional world. Spiers worked with associate professor Aaron Dollar at Yale and Extant - a London-based company to produce Animotus. The device originally named by Spiers was named Haptic Sandwich based on its design and function but was later changed to Animotus - a name taken from the Flatland novel.

Participants in the game are wearing a set of clothes with devices to monitor and monitor movement along with an Animotus. Data will be transmitted wirelessly to Animotus from a computer, accessing the game space map. Thanks to Animotus, players were able to move quickly to landmarks on the route in complete blackness.

Not only serving the reality program Flatland, Spiers believes that Animotus has many potential applications because of its ability to effectively guide in silence , enabling users to reach the destination quickly, without distracting by vibrations or sounds. We with normal eyesight probably don't need to use something like Animotus but for visually impaired Animotus will promote its function.