Mobility Aids and GPS

Mobility Aids and GPS Option

K-Sonar

The K-Sonar has been designed to assist people with visual impairment to detect their surroundings. To achieve this is has a universal spatial sound language. It reduces stress by detecting objects at a distance, and encourages greater freedom and making the user more independently mobile.

There are a number of financing and funding options opened to you if, and indeed when, you want to purchase the K-Sonar.  Please contact the Team This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information

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101 interesting things to do with a K-Sonar

This section has been developed based on user comments and experiences. At the moment there are not 101 interesting things to do with the K-Sonar, but please feel free to contact the team to add your own!!

Gardening: hardly an extreme sport, but the customer found it very useful being able to differentiate between the plants in the garden.

Attached to a Guide Dog, to provide the owner with more information about obstacles encountered en route.

Jogging: the customer uses the K-Sonar to avoid obstacles when she is out jogging, and is no longer reliant on others to guide her.

Mountain Bike: there have been 2 enquiries from chaps to use the K-Sonar with mountain bikes and we have now developed strapping to enhance this experience.

Detecting Obstacles without actually touching them for the first time.

Shopping Trolley: strapping is available so you can use the K-Sonar when you are out and about – OK shopping may not be that interesting to all.

Wheel barrow: the customer wanted to navigate round the garden – and found the K-Sonar strapped to the side of the barrow a real bonus!

Wheel Chairs: both electric and man-powered have been tested with the K-Sonar. Now we can offer specialist straps for this we can attach the K-Sonar to a range of different sizes and types of wheelchairs.

Zimmer Frame: we have tested the K-Sonar with Zimmer frames and it provides valuable information for the user.

Please let the team know if you have any more interesting uses for the K-Sonar.

Accessories:

There are a number of optional extras available with the K-Sonar.

We offer a range of wrist straps, from the standard version, which loops round the wrist, to purpose made straps for a range of purposes.  We can make straps to help you secure the K-Sonar to any number of different objects and in many different circumstances.

We can also offer blue tooth facility for use with the K-Sonar now.

We also have designed an attachment so the K-Sonar can be used fastened to a number of different things, for example, an electronic wheel chair, a shopping trolley, or even a guide dog.

Audio information:

The K-Sonar comes with an audio cassette as a training aid.  Many people still have cassette players, although it is understood that they are not as common as they once were, so we are exploring alternative formats.

All purchases are supported with training and therefore many users only use the support information as back up. This includes a DVD, which is available on request, and contains an excellent audio description of how to use the K-Sonar.  It is suitable for non-sighted as well as sighted people alike.

Battery Life:

If you charge the battery using the charger (see charger section) for 4 hours, it lasts for about 5 hours.

The K-Sonar, therefore had an internal, rechargeable battery.  The manufacturers have confirmed that this has a 5 year life expectancy.

We are currently in negotiations with manufacturers about options for providing replacement internal batteries after this time.

A frequently asked questions document is available. If you would like a copy of the more detailed FAQ and user guide please contact The Team and we can e-mail it to you. Many thanks for your interest!

Charger:

The K-Sonar comes complete with a charger.

Cost:

The K-Sonar costs £475.00 to buy.

What accessories are available??

Wrist straps start about £3.00

Attachments start at £10.00

Additional chargers cost £20.00

White canes – there are a range of white canes available including a telescopic version. We are particularly pleased with the 49.5” telescopic cane, which retails for £33.00.

Amplifiers / external speakers – there are a number of alternatives available, at a range of prices to suit different needs and pockets!  They start about £20.00, and range up to about £50.00.

The Blue Tooth facility costs from £180.00 for the transmitter and headphones with receiver, depending on the model selected. We are trying to find a better, more cost effective alternative supply.

Please contact the office for more details. This can be done via e-mail on the Team This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by speaking to a person on either 07798-842207 or 0161-281-3380.  If we are not able to take your call please leave a message and member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Payment methods:

For individuals - we accept payments in cash, cheque, credit and debit cards.

We also accept payments via Paypal if you are using the on-line shop.

For organisations – we can accept payment by cheque, direct debit, BACS, or CHAPS.

Instructions:

What instructions does the K-Sonar come with?

The K-Sonar comes with an audio tape of user guidance, there is also user information in Braille. (see the Audio information section)

We also send out a DVD for those who want it.

There is also an hour of one-to-one training included with the purchase, which explains about the product and how to interpret the sounds the k-sonar makes.

Additional training can be provided – at an additional cost – should this be considered necessary.

Packages:

What other products does it work with?

We offer the K-Sonar with the Trekker Breeze from Humanware – please ask the team for the current price. This can be done via e-mail on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by speaking to a person on either 07798-842207 or 0161-281-3380.  If we are not able to take your call please leave a message and member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.

We also work with a range of other companies and can, therefore, offer you independent advice about what is available to meet the needs and the pockets of the customer!

We are always looking at developing links with new companies – so please look at the website for the latest information.

Using the K-Sonar:

The K-Sonar is an ultrasonic device which is designed to assist the visually impaired, to perceive their surroundings in the same way that a torch enables the sighted to see in the dark!

It reduces stress by detecting objects at a distance.

It enables the user to be independently mobile and encourages greater freedom ov movement.

By listening to the sounds from the K-Sonar, the user can determine not only the distance and location of objects, but can also learn about its features and also direction of travel.

The K-Sonar can be used on its own, or with most white canes.

Laser Long Cane

This is a long cane for the blind, with an integrated obstacle detector for protection of the head and upper body.

General Description:

The Laser Long Cane provides protection, using an on-board laser system, against obstacles that cannot be detected with a conventional lone cane.  The additional electronic equipment and the power supply required for the laser system are contained in the handle.  The front section of the handle houses a laser and a receiver, which detect obstacle via reflection of laser-light. The upper section of the handle, which serves as the grip, contains a vibrating warning system that causes the handle to vibrate when a obstacle is detected.  The asymmetrical design of the handle allows the alignment of the laser-beam so that it is projected above the cane.

The laser light beams out vertically at a breadth of 30 degrees and is focused in the horizontal direction to a width of approximately 5mm. One can imagine the beam as a fan aligned forwards at an angle of 90 degrees to the cane and projected vertically above the cane.  The cane takes on an imaginary second dimension, almost as if one has a cane directed straight upwards. The range of the beam should be adjusted corresponding to the length of the cane.

Due to its alignment the beam detects only those obstacles directly above the cane in the head and chest area.  As soon as the light reflected by an obstacle is detected, the warning system begins to vibrate. A continuous vibration will be produced for as long as reflected light is being received, that is, for as long as an obstacle is detected above the cane in the head and chest area.  The cane is, in effect, providing simple “yes/no” information. As soon as an obstacle is detected within the cane’s range the warning system vibrates, forcing the user to react.  Due to the fact that the laser fan is very narrow and is projected above the cane, obstacles can be located very accurately.

The handle of the Laser Long Cane can be used in combination with a variety of long canes.

Technical Specifications:

Casing:

The handle is made of a synthetic material that is isolated against the cold and is sweat resistant. The surface has a matt finish to provide a better grip. The small window for the laser emitter and detector is made of plexi glass.  The casing is water resistant and sealed from dust.

Dimensions: Total length 223mm

The design of the handle is asymmetric.

Length of grip 130mm.  Diameter, d1 = 35mm, d2 = 26mm.

Sensor area: Length 93mm. Width 25mm. Height 73mm.

Weight:

Handle with batteries approximately 210g.

The Laser Long Cane handle can me mounted into a variety of standard long canes.  The cane is screwed into the handle, and can be easily exchanged, for example if the cane is damaged.

Laser Measurement:

The laser beam is generated by an integrated laser diode module. The light emitted is eye safe (laser class 1) and has been tested by Laser and Medizintechnik GmbH, Berlin.  The beam is focused to fan out vertically by 30 degrees, in a horizontal plane the beam remains focussed. The beam at a distance of 1.45 meters from the lens, is shaped like a vertical line 75 cm high and 5mm wide.

The distance to the next object reflecting the light is measured using the laser ranging principles. The range of the beam can be set to between 120cm and 160cm in order to compensate for differences in body size and grip tendencies.

Operating safety:

After switching the Laser Long Cane on, a vibration signals the start of an internal test.  If all the tests are in order the cane is ready for normal use. If there is a problem a warning signal will set off (see below). To ensure that it operates safely the unit continues to conduct internal tests during normal operation.

If the main control unit fails the Laser Long Cane is designed to vibrate until the batteries are discharged or the unit is switched off.

Warning Signals:

The warning signal is a strong vibration felt through the entire grip of the handle. It is accompanied by a low hum. There are two types of signal

1) continuous vibration signals an obstacle alert, and

2) Intermittent vibration (3 short, 1 long, and 3 short, pause, and so on) signalling a low battery or an internal fault.  The warning will continue until the batteries are changed, the unit is switched off, or the discharged protection switches off the device.

Power supply:

2 rechargeable batteries (nickel metal hydride 1600mAh), deliver 4 hours continuous vibration or 24 hours of operation without vibration.  Assuming an average use, this equates to use of 4-6 weeks.  The batteries can be recharged in the unit.  Using the appropriate battery charger on offer the batteries should recharge in about 4 hours. The charging socket is located under a rubber lid that seals the socket during normal use. The charger socket is large, easy to use and, when using the battery charger, polarity safe.  The battery tube is closed off with an aluminium lid that is attached to the handle. The batteries can thus be easily changed as necessary.  A pole safety mechanism for the batteries is also integrated into the system. Instead of rechargeable batteries normal AA batteries can be used.

Operational Problems:

The following factors can cause operational problems with the Laser Long Cane. These possible problems are due to physical reasons and, therefore cannot be avoided.

Weather:

The laser is so sensitive that is sends out frequent or constant warning signals in strong rain or snow. Under these conditions the unit should be switched off and he cane used as a conventional cane.

Surfaces:

In the case of smooth surfaces (glass) the unit’s range may be drastically reduced. Not enough light would be reflected back, especially when there is a low angle between the surface and the laser beam, to be detected by the unit. This problem may be reduced by specialised training, which is available on request.

Warranty:

There is a 2 year warranty on the unit. For the laser and light detector there is a warranty for 3,000 operating hours, provided that the 2 years time limit is not exceeded. The total number of operating hours will be determined by an internal readable counter. The rechargeable batteries can be exchanged up to six months after purchase.

Handling:

The Laser Long Cane is used in the same way as the conventional long cane. For safe and effective handling of the Laser Long Cane it is recommended that mobility and orientation training be undertaken. At least one hour of training should be conducted under the guidance of a mobility trainer in order to obtain the correct positioning and grip.

The correct positioning of the Laser Long Cane is enabled through the asymmetrical form of the handle. The flat side of the handle must face upwards in order for the beam to project upwards.

The entire grip of the handle will vibrate.

As well as an on/off switch the user will also find a recharging socket and an adjustment switch for the laser beam’s range. These can be found under a rubber lid on the side (near the front) of the handle. The lid is securely fastened via a nipple hat fits into the recharging socket.

The unit’s distance setting should be set before using the cane, preferably with the help of a mobility trainer. The range of the beam is adjusted by pushing a thin object e.g. a toothpick, into the switch. By pushing the button the beam’s range will be, by steps, increased or decreased.

Mobile telephone options

There are a number of other options for use with mobile phones, please contact the Team for more information.

DD Aware – ENABLING not DISABLING