Development of an Integrated Ultrasonic Device for Visually Impaired Individuals: The B.R.A.T. (Block Recognition Assistant for Typhlosis)

This study presented the Block Recognition Assistant for Typhlosis (B.R.A.T.), a sensor-based assistive walker designed to enhance the mobility and safety of visually impaired individuals by providing reliable obstacle detection. The device integrates an ultrasonic sensor with three indicators: an LED light, a buzzer, and a vibration motor. An experimental bench-testing design was used to evaluate performance across multiple conditions, focusing on activation time, detection accuracy, and acoustic output. Trials involved obstacles placed at distances of 30 cm, 45 cm, and 60 cm, using plywood, concrete, and steel surfaces, for a total of 15 test repetitions. Findings showed that the LED consistently achieved the fastest activation time, followed by the buzzer and the vibration motor. Obstacle detection accuracy did not significantly vary by material type (p = 0.236), indicating consistency across surfaces. The buzzer produced an average amplitude of 79.75 dB and a frequency of 3267.93 Hz, values within an optimal range for human auditory perception. These results support the feasibility of a low-cost, locally assembled, and dependable assistive device that can promote independence and safety among visually impaired users in controlled settings. However, this work should be regarded as a bench engineering evaluation of a prototype rather than a full usability validation, and it provides a foundation for subsequent user-centered trials.