Global media attention
News of SwimSight spread organically across global publications.
The Problem
Britishblindsport.org reports that 70% of blind individuals are inactive in sports due to a lack of provision. Many visually impaired swimmers require assistance from a tapper (an individual who hits the swimmer with a ball on a stick to indicate the end of the lane). Unsurprisingly, this is fraught with challenges.
“Believe me,
I’ve got scars”
The design process began with research into the user, task and environment. From interviews with a visually impaired swimmer to empathy modelling in a pool with blackout goggles, a range of techniques were used to gain a thorough understanding of the problem.
Design & Development
Several potential solutions were explored and evaluated. A decision matrix highlighted those with the greatest potential. A computer vision system was the clear winner and so detailed design development could begin.
Once the electronics were resolved, the next step was to design an ergonomic housing that was easy to mount and did not create significant drag in the water. As different shaped goggles perform differently on a range of head shapes, the device was intentionally designed to retrofit onto a pair of goggles of the user’s choosing to ensure a comfortable fit.
3D printing was used to help quickly iterate the form and refine user interactions. The design was optimised for manufacturing and the cost per unit calculated in order to assure commercial viability.
How it works
Much like autonomous vehicles, the device uses computer vision cameras to track lane lines and calculate the user’s position. The five cameras are strategically placed to ensure that measurements are taken at regular intervals, no matter the user’s stroke length.
A key innovation is the addition of an inertial measurement unit that enables the device to compensate for head movement; corrections are fed back to the user via an intuitive haptic navigation system. Two haptic motors are used to guide the swimmer in a straight line, a third alerts them when they need to turn.
The Solution
Swimsight enables the visually impaired to train independently. The head-mounted computer vision system calculates the user’s position in the lane and proximity to the wall. Corrections are then fed back to the user via an intuitive haptic navigation system.
How it's Different
Swimsight removes the need for a poolside assistant entirely, dramatically cutting costs and offering greater independence to the user. Furthermore, unlike any other solution on the market, this design also keeps the blind swimmer in a straight line rather than forcing them to rely on the lane rope. The device also holds utility for sighted swimmers learning backstroke or to tumble turn, thus, increasing the market opportunity.
