Nyx
A New Way To See
NYX - Cane for the visually impaired
My role
Student – Major project
YEAR
2017 – 2018
SKILLS
Photoshop
Illustrator
Rhino
Solidworks
Keyshot
Arduino
3D Printing
Nyx is a modernised take on the white cane supercharged with technology to help the user lead a more independent life.
Current products include; the white cane, guide dogs and the ultra cane. All of which have large drawbacks.
Nyx aims to move away from the ‘medical product’ or ‘disability’ tags associated with current solutions. While using modern technology Nyx gives the user the opportunity to find colours to express themselves, a water sensor to avoid puddles, a long life battery so their adventures can be endless coupled with an ultrasonic sensor to navigate obstacles.
New
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT - definition
Total blindness is the inability to tell light from dark, or total inability to see. Visual impairment is a severe reduction in vision that cannot be corrected with standard glasses or contact lenses and reduces a person’s ability to function at certain or all tasks. Legal blindness refers to a best corrected central vision of 20/2000 or worse in the better eye or a visual acuity better than that level. (Medical dictionary – 2008)
New
Common types of IMPAIRMENT
The Royal National Institute for the Blind state that the most common form of visual impairments are, glaucoma, cataracts and diabetes. These are all as a result of age related macular decease. I narrowed my search down to just the UK because health conditions vary depending on the diet, lifestyle and family history.
New
common traits
Cloudy Vision
Tunnel Vision
Spots or strings
Impaired colour
Poor Night Vision
Age
EMPATHY TESTING
user feedback on current products
Speaking to a small user group helped to identify more accurate issues with the current products. 3 users, each using a different product identified as leading tools in the sector.
Research was conducted in collaboration with the RNIB. (Royal National Institute of Blind People)
White Cane
Poor aesthetic
Lightweight
Cheap
Durable
Guide Dog
Limited accessibility
Maintenance (grooming)
Ease of use
Emotional support
Ultrasound Cane
Heavy
Uncomfortable
Expensive
Modern Technology
Product targets
Updated
Lightweight < 400g
Durable
Affordable < £200
Deliver Independence
Discrete
Key components
electronics
items
1- Ultrasound sensor
2- Arduino Micro
3- Colour sensor
4- Vibration motor x 2
5- 3.7V Lithium battery (Rechargeable battery)
ideation
development concepts
Feedback from RNIB
finalised electronics based on feedback
items
1- Vibration motors x 4
2- Arduino Micro
3- Colour sensor
4- Ultrasound sensor
5- On/ off switch
6- 9V Lithium rechargeable battery
7- Water sensor
Final design
materials and manufacturing
New
ABS Plastic
injection Moulding
Adhesive Bonding
Cheap
Recycling
Ease for mass production
Ease of assembly
weight reduction
part reduction
Feedback based on targets
New
Lightweight < 400g
Durable
Affordable < £200
Deliver Independence
Discrete
Key components
some pretty renders
Packaging
