Saarthi - Assistive Mobility aid for Visually Impaired

Thematic Area of product / prototype / service: 
Product: Assistive Technology for Independent Mobility of Visually Impaired Community
Company (if applicable): 
Torchit Electronics Private Limited
Description of the product/Prototype/service: 
285 million visually impaired across the globe face multiple problems in their daily lives ranging from day to day indoor and outdoor travel, to getting fair employment opportunities and even feeling left out in the society. Out of the 285 Million visually Impaired People worldwide. Of these visually impaired, about 90% of the world's visually impaired live in low-income settings. As per the WHO statistics, 21% of the blind population resides in India. Our product, Saarthi is an innovative product that can be used to sense the surroundings by visually impaired people, which will help them in independent mobility. Saarthi can be attached to the white cane and the user will be able to sense the obstacles through feedback in the form of a buzzing sound and vibrating sensations. A powerful battery and microcontroller have been used to make it more effective and long-lasting with the availability of three accurate ranges. The user can use the device with a cane to find directions & obstacles in unfamiliar territories, whilst the device can be used independently in familiar regions for obstacle detection. Saarthi comes with built-in detection sensors which help the user easily and accurately identify the surroundings for the person using the device. "Saarthi", provides 99.7% Obstacle Detection Accuracy, which makes most accurate in all possible setups including closed rooms (2 feet), outdoors - lobbies (4 feet) and streets & open areas (8 feet). Saarthi is an ergonomically designed, battery efficient device that can be used standalone or can be attached to any white cane. And most importantly, it is also the most affordable price, to make it available to any individual Visually Impaired to purchase (at USD 40)
Level of innovation: 
Sonar based virtually object recognizing IoT (Internet of Things) Hardware product; which senses the objects/obstacles (near or far, moving or stationary) around them. • BATTERY EFFICIENCY – Samsung, (INR 18950-26J) 3.7V, 2200mAH Li-Ion rechargeable battery, Through an extensive research and trials, we have made the product last 100 hours (Average 30 days working during a relaxed use while an effective 8 days) of active use. o Weight:45grams; Dimensions: 18mm in diameter and 65mm height; • LIGHTWEIGHT – 140 Grams, We tried and tested multiple material options and have eventually worked out a lightweight product that is easy to carry. • CONTROLLER – Powerful microcontrollers have been (Confidential) used to make it more effective with the availability of three accurate ranges, The product has been tested to perform at high levels of accuracy within 3 ranges from a short distance of 2 feet to as long as 10 feet. • SENSOR - Built-in detection sonar sensors, which help the user easily and accurately identify the surroundings. o From 0.02 Meters to 5.50 Meters, o Working frequency 38KHz to 42KHz o Horizontal angular coverage of 40 degrees o Verticle angular coverage of 110 degrees • DESIGN – Ergonomically designed, that makes it comfortable to hold and makes the user gripping experience convenient. • UNIVERSAL / PORTABLE – Can be used as a torch and can be attached to their cane/stick. • EXTERNAL BODY – Robust and Rustproof body that has a shelf life of 5 years. Durable material: ABS Virgin • SERVICE PERIOD – The product wouldn’t need a service. We ensure detection accuracy and all the parameters before we dispatch materal. 12 month warranty period. • ACCURATE – 99.7% obstacle finding accuracy, Saarthi models will have high accuracy which is the most important thing to have in our product. • AFFORDABLE – As compared to its competitors, Saarthi is eyed to be an affordable solution for blind people costing, so that it can empower the lives of as many of the community as it can. • ADJUSTABLE RANGES – The product provides the accuracy benchmark incomparable in the industry in all three ranges, Also, users can use sensor angle settings from 0 to 36 degrees, as per user comfortable. O Indoor(2Feet), O Outdoor(4feet)& O Open areas (10 Feet ~3.2 Meters). • VIBRATION: Coin vibrator; Vibration identity as 0.5-0.9 m/sec squere; 2200 RPM. • CHARGING – With a B-Type micro USB charger, Very simple to find and get this charger and compatible with mobile chargers as well. • CHARGING RANGE – Input: 100-240 V, 40-60 Htz (AC); Output: 5 V, 1 AH (DC); 1.1A Fast Charger with Charge & Sync Cable Mobile Charger (Cable Included). 2 Patents Filed and Published
Speaker(s): 
1. Hunny Bhagchandani, Enabling Toys Fellowship, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston; 2016 B Tech Industrial Engineering from Pandit Deendayal Energy University, India; 2017 Leaders in Innovation Fellowship, Royal Academy of Engineering, UK; 2018 Executive Education, Indian Institute Of Management–Ahmedabad, India; 2018 2. Dr Rita Poptani, MDS, Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry from Govt. Dental College and Hospital, Ahmedabad; 2021 BDS, Dental Clinic and Science from Karnavati University, Ahmedabad; 2017