Tactile Wand concept aims to aid the visually impaired

We've seen plenty of gadgets designed to aid the visually impaired, but none quite like this so-called "Tactile Wand" concept from designer Jin Woo Han, who's no stranger to nifty concept devices. Obviously taking a few cues from another familiar "wand," this would-be device employs a sensor on the front to determine the distance to the object it's pointed at, which gets relayed to the user in the form of varying levels of vibration. Needless to say, there's no indication of it actually moving beyond the concept stage, but it certainly doesn't seem beyond the realm of possibility.

[Via OhGizmo]

[Sam @ Mar 7th 2008 2:54AM]

Haven't Anne Summers been selling these for years?

[Mc G @ Mar 7th 2008 3:03AM]

I had one of these, then one day I set it down... oops!

[Michael LaFramboise @ Mar 7th 2008 3:13AM]

Looks like it could aid more then just the visually impaired...

[Nando @ Mar 7th 2008 9:27AM]

It also aids the freaky sneaky!

[Fara @ Mar 7th 2008 4:24AM]

Looks like a dildo to me (I couldn't come up with a funny sexual insinuation).

[Melenor @ Mar 7th 2008 5:47AM]

Takes cues from another familiar "wand."

Gets relayed to the user in the form of varying levels of vibration.

No indication of it actually moving beyond the concept stage.

Sold!

[Rich Brome @ Mar 7th 2008 1:22PM]

That's pretty awesome! No more clack-clacking as a blind person walks down the sidewalk tapping their stick and swinging it to and fro. Not that I mind it as a seeing pedestrian, but if I were blind, I imagine I would prefer to not make such a scene just walking down the sidewalk, so I'd probably love this.

Of course, the clacking stick and the attention it attracts do serve as a warning for other pedestrians to be careful around the blind person, which is good for safety. However I don't know if most blind people would prefer the safety or the privacy of just blending in. I'm sure some would prefer to just blend in.

The question is: without the clacking stick swinging around, other pedestrians on a busy sidewalk would no doubt walk closer to the person using this. Can this device handle a bunch of feet and knees passing by without sending confusing haptic feedback to the user? I'm sure there's a way to deal with that, but I imagine that would be one of the engineering challenges.

[Boynamedsue @ Mar 7th 2008 2:12PM]

the weasleys totally won't be able to afford one of these.

[alfpooh @ Mar 8th 2008 10:17PM]

It is stupid design by stupid designer. Please go and meet with real blind people rather than gamer and listen to them. Don't just assume anything.