Russia has restricted access to popular platforms in Muslim regions, testing a "sovereign internet". The measure raises fears of increased censorship and restrictions on digital rights.
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Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a unique tactile device that uses shape-shifting to help visually impaired people navigate in space with performance comparable to that of natural vision.
Shape is a compact handheld device that changes shape, bends in the direction of the target and straightens when the user is looking in the right direction. Its tactile feedback allows the user to intuitively understand the direction of movement by touch. In a study published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports, visually impaired people found targets faster and more efficiently when using Shape than when using a vibrating device.
The device not only accelerated the performance of the task, but users also highly appreciated its convenience and ease of use. The researchers also noted that Shape could be used in conjunction with other technologies, such as computer vision. Existing tools, such as white canes and guide dogs, have significant limitations, such as being expensive or difficult to use. Voice interfaces can block important environmental sound signals, and vibrating devices often cause fatigue and discomfort after prolonged use.
Shape solves these problems by providing a more natural way to navigate changing shapes. Shape combines intuitiveness, convenience and efficiency and shows great potential to improve the mobility of visually impaired people. This study confirms that Shape can become the basis for innovative navigation systems.
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