🎉 Students Created a Vibro-Vest That Restored "Sight" to a Blind Dog
When a dog named Kunde began to lose sight due to glaucoma, his owners turned to the engineering lab at Rice University in Texas for help. Students developed a unique vibro-vest and a camera-equipped "helmet" that helped Kunde walk safely and avoid obstacles without human aid.
The cameras scan the surroundings and detect obstacles while a control board sends signals to 8 vibration motors in the vest. The closer the obstacle, the stronger the vibration. It was important to make the device light and comfortable for the playful dog while resisting rain and dirt.
The final version works for up to 2 hours on a single charge, has an 8-meter detection range, and costs around $150. The first prototype used LiDAR sensors but cost several thousand dollars.
