Design Engineering
Showcase 2020

Global research with blind and partially sighted users was carried out in Tokyo, New York and London. This process identified the global problem faced by this community of how to navigate not only independently, but intuitively.

One user stated that they were “only disabled by the design of our environment”. We might not be able to redesign the entire environment, but more easily, we can design our perception of the environment.

Current assistive technologies for navigation have focussed on the development of technologies to detect and process visual information from the environment. Sensaura takes a different approach by starting with the ideal goal of what a fully inclusive and accessible future would be and working backwards from that; placing the human user at the heart of its process to ensure a desirable and sustainable solution.

Engaging blind and partially sighted users throughout the design process verified project relevance. This included a focus group run in partnership with the Thomas Pocklington Trust. Additionally, deep research into neuropsychology theories of sensory perception and sensing technologies has ensured rigour. This was enhanced by consultations from the Next Generation Neural Interfaces Lab at Imperial.

Sensaura’s wearable device is designed to enhance hands-free use. It combines camera and radar sensors to detect visual information in the environment. This enables object identification and lower body detection of obstacles, drops and steps - something no market option currently offers.

This visual information is processed via the user’s phone and then fed-back to the user through audio and haptics. Simple warning cues are communicated through vibration, -more complex information is communicated through audio via bone-conduction headphones.

The prototype of Sensaura’s spatial audio language was developed in partnership with musician Asher Levitas. The soundbites are designed so they’re clearly distinct from the natural environment. Users can then experience the soundbites spatially, as an audio augmented reality, with sounds giving directional cues for navigation and object locations.This experience enhances the natural capabilities of human hearing. One user said it “felt like having an extra sense”.

To overcome challenges of navigating indoors/ underground - where GPS is unavailable - Sensaura can connect to beacons in the environment, working comparably to hearing aid loops. This creates a seamless transition between outdoor and indoor spaces.

CAD models developed collaboratively with Math Whittaker.

Sensaura is an ongoing project – email hello@sophiehorrocks.com for further enquiries.