Initiative details
The aim of my project is to design a portable device or app to detect fast moving objects.
Approximately 2.2 million people globally are vision impaired.
As a vision impaired person, I have difficulty seeing oncoming vehicles and other hazards, such as electric cars or e-scooters.
For these reasons, I developed VIPMOD: Vision Impaired Person's Moving Object Detector.
Vision impaired people are not the only group of people with this difficulty.
People with other access needs, such as mobility disabilities, or people who are hearing impaired, will also benefit from VIPMOD, helping them to live safer and more independent lives.
Approximately 2.2 million people globally are vision impaired.
As a vision impaired person, I have difficulty seeing oncoming vehicles and other hazards, such as electric cars or e-scooters.
For these reasons, I developed VIPMOD: Vision Impaired Person's Moving Object Detector.
Vision impaired people are not the only group of people with this difficulty.
People with other access needs, such as mobility disabilities, or people who are hearing impaired, will also benefit from VIPMOD, helping them to live safer and more independent lives.
Initiative date
to
Who was/is your target audience?
Children 0-16
Young adults 17-25
Adults
Seniors
Car drivers
Public transport
Van drivers
Lorry/truck drivers
Cyclists
Micromobility riders
Powered two wheeler riders (excluding micromobility)
Pedestrians
Others
Topic
Create awareness
Improve vehicles and infrastructure
Provide alternative solutions
Organisation details
The King's Hospital School
School / Research centre
Ireland
Co. Dublin
Contact name
Ms Maura Quinn
Telephone number
+353 1 6436500
reception@thekingshospital.ie
Website
Project activities
If you work together with external partners, list the most important partners and briefly describe their role.
In August 2022, I contacted Tom Mullen, CEO of Mergon Ltd, who offered help and advice for my project.
In September 2022, I visited the National Council for the Blind in Ireland (NCBI) and met Mr Sean Doran, Head of IT, who gave me advice regarding the accessibility of my app.
In November 2022, I met CEO of Future Mobility Campus Ireland (FMCI), Mr Russell Vickers. We discussed the potential development of my app into a commercial product.
In November 2022, I went to the SciFest National Finals, where I won the Outreach Video Award and the Intel Technology Award.
Later in November 2022, I met NearForm Developer Mr Jack Clark, the head of the Accessibility Section.
NearForm is the company which programmed the Covid Tracker App for the Government during the Pandemic. This was the first of several mentoring sessions to advise me in developing my project as an app.
In December 2022, I received the ‘Future Road Safety Award’ from the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
In September 2022, I visited the National Council for the Blind in Ireland (NCBI) and met Mr Sean Doran, Head of IT, who gave me advice regarding the accessibility of my app.
In November 2022, I met CEO of Future Mobility Campus Ireland (FMCI), Mr Russell Vickers. We discussed the potential development of my app into a commercial product.
In November 2022, I went to the SciFest National Finals, where I won the Outreach Video Award and the Intel Technology Award.
Later in November 2022, I met NearForm Developer Mr Jack Clark, the head of the Accessibility Section.
NearForm is the company which programmed the Covid Tracker App for the Government during the Pandemic. This was the first of several mentoring sessions to advise me in developing my project as an app.
In December 2022, I received the ‘Future Road Safety Award’ from the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
Please describe the project activities you carried/are carrying out and the time period over which these were implemented.
This project evolved through five different prototypes over a period of three years, culminating in the app that is currently being developed.
Prototype 1 determines a magnetic object’s distance from the user by the variation in its magnetic field.
Prototype 2 uses a radio signal between two devices: one in the car, and one worn by the user. The varying radio signal strength determines distance.
Prototype 3 uses an ultrasonic detector to measure an object’s distance, alerting both pedestrian and driver of each other’s presence.
Prototype 4 is an app which calculates the distance between two users, incorporating several accessibility functions - Text to Speech, Voice recognition and Dark Mode. The app sends visual and audio alerts to users detected in the vicinity, calculating the distance between them.
Prototype 5 is an app that uses AI to identify a generalised car, pedestrian, or "background," (an absence of both car and pedestrian). It uses visual, audible and haptic alerts to warn the user.
Prototype 1 determines a magnetic object’s distance from the user by the variation in its magnetic field.
Prototype 2 uses a radio signal between two devices: one in the car, and one worn by the user. The varying radio signal strength determines distance.
Prototype 3 uses an ultrasonic detector to measure an object’s distance, alerting both pedestrian and driver of each other’s presence.
Prototype 4 is an app which calculates the distance between two users, incorporating several accessibility functions - Text to Speech, Voice recognition and Dark Mode. The app sends visual and audio alerts to users detected in the vicinity, calculating the distance between them.
Prototype 5 is an app that uses AI to identify a generalised car, pedestrian, or "background," (an absence of both car and pedestrian). It uses visual, audible and haptic alerts to warn the user.
Evaluation
What has been the effect of the activities?
I am fortunate that this project, in its developmental stage, has attracted help from several professionals, such as NCBI, NearForm, and FMCI. In addition, Patent law firm HGF have given advice on an International patent for VIPMOD (which is now patent pending) and Enterprise Ireland are giving ongoing advice on market research.
My wish is that this help and advice will allow me to further develop my project into a product that will raise awareness of road safety issues for people with accessibility needs, and provide a solution to these needs.
My wish is that this help and advice will allow me to further develop my project into a product that will raise awareness of road safety issues for people with accessibility needs, and provide a solution to these needs.
Please briefly explain why your initiative is a good example of improving road safety.
I designed VIPMOD to cater for both pedestrian and driver, ensuring mutual communication, and therefore improving road safety. This is particularly important for vision impaired users, or users with access needs, which VIPMOD is addressing, by providing a platform that addresses their accessibility needs.
How have you shared information about your project and its results?
In October 2022, I was asked by NCBI to take part in their ‘Labs Technology Podcast’ and ‘Living Libraries’ video as part of their upcoming ‘Change This Space’ seminar later that year. In the podcast and video, I discussed my reasons for developing VIPMOD and the progress of my project so far.
At the SciFest National Finals 2022, I won the National Intel Technology Award. I was also awarded the STEM Outreach Video Award 2022 for my project, which detailed how my project worked and its wider implications for vision impaired people and people with access needs. This video was viewed and voted for by over 4,000 people.
At the SciFest National Finals 2022, I won the National Intel Technology Award. I was also awarded the STEM Outreach Video Award 2022 for my project, which detailed how my project worked and its wider implications for vision impaired people and people with access needs. This video was viewed and voted for by over 4,000 people.
