Mexican students develop bracelet to help the visually impaired

A teacher and three students from the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon (UANL ) have developed an auxiliary bracelet , that will aid visually impaired people in the use of public transport , called " Snap N'Stop ".

The scientist , S ofía Alejandra Luna Rodríguez , developed the bracelet together with Karla González, María del Rocío Torres, and Arnulfo Elizondo , who graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design.

She said that: "We want these people to be independent . What we did first was to approach this group of people with visual disabilities and their answer we received is that they feel excluded , they don't feel part of society,"

The UANL professor said that “this bracelet intends to help them become self-sufficient and not depend on someone else 100% and be able to carry out their daily activities. "

In 2016 , the bracelet pilot program was implemented by the group of students together with Luna Rodríguez, with help from 12 people with visual disabilities .

"The bracelet was developed hand in hand with their advice , we presented possible solutions, and they also advised us," said Luna Rodriguez.

She said that for its proper functioning, the bracelet was subjected to distance reflex tests to establish the perfect size, reflective material and an ideal cover that highlights the brightness and allows the driver to know if someone is requesting a taxi.

"It was about generating a simple product at a low cost so people can easily acquire it. The investment is minimal and its life is very long", explained the teacher.

She emphasized that the idea is that it should be cheap , not replaceable and simple , with a minimum cost for the benefit of users.

The bracelet "Snap N'Stop" has five interchangeable lamellae, which contain the numbers of the transport or taxi routes ; each lamella has braille drawings.

For users who don't read Braille, the route numbers are engraved with heavy-gauge vinyl, in addition, the bracelet is mounted on an acetate sheet that allows easy identification.

When using it, the Snap N 'Stop is placed on the wrist, and when they need to take a bus or taxi route, users must detach the bracelet, which extends and stays upright thanks to the flushometer.

"It was tested on a person who had to do everyday trips to the central library, she did them by taxi, and she was very happy that the taxis did stop, because she didn't want to feel like a burden", she said.

Dr. Luna Rodríguez explained

that in December 2017 the obtained the auxiliary bracelet patent , so now they are seeking to distribute it in different countries through associations in Mexico, Spain, and England.

"Currently, the three students are looking for ways to distribute it on a larger scale and give it greater diffusion, not only in Nuevo León but in other places where someone may need it," she said.

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