A groundbreaking new device called “Shape” is giving people with visual impairment the ability to navigate as well as sighted individuals, according to research led by Imperial College London.
Developed in collaboration with MakeSense Technology and the charity Bravo Victor, Shape uses touch-based feedback to guide users, offering a simpler and more comfortable alternative to existing navigation tools.
Shape is a handheld device that looks like a torch.
It bends to show users where to move and straightens when they’re facing the right direction.
This design takes advantage of the human ability to understand shapes through touch, making it intuitive and easy to use.
In a study published in Scientific Reports, researchers tested Shape alongside vibration-based navigation tools commonly used by visually impaired people.
The tests involved 10 participants with visual impairment and 10 sighted individuals locating targets in a 3D virtual reality space.
The sighted participants used only their natural vision, while the visually impaired participants used either Shape or vibration feedback.
The results showed that participants with visual impairment performed just as well with Shape as sighted participants did with vision. Moreover, they located targets faster with Shape than with vibration-based tools.
Most visually impaired participants also preferred Shape, finding it easier and more comfortable to use.
Dr. Ad Spiers, the lead researcher from Imperial’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, highlighted the significance of these findings: “Shape is different because it uses our natural ability to understand shapes through touch.
This makes it simple to learn and less tiring to use, unlike vibration devices.”
Currently, many visually impaired people rely on white canes or guide dogs. While effective, these tools have limitations.
White canes work by showing users where not to go, and guide dogs are expensive to train and maintain. Some newer technologies use audio cues or vibrations, but these can be distracting or uncomfortable over time.
Shape addresses these issues by providing clear, non-intrusive guidance through touch. The device could be especially useful for complex environments where traditional tools fall short.
Dr. Robert Quinn, CEO of MakeSense Technology, said, “This study shows the incredible potential of Shape to improve mobility for visually impaired people. We’re now working on real-world applications, and we hope to launch the first product by late 2025.”
While the initial study was conducted in controlled conditions, further research will explore how Shape performs in real-world scenarios with changing environments and multiple navigation targets.
Shape is being developed into an outdoor navigation tool by MakeSense Technology, a startup co-founded at Imperial College. With continued development, Shape could soon become a practical and transformative solution for millions of visually impaired people.
