What is the UltraCane? www.ultracane.com

It’s an electronic primary aid, modelled on the traditional white cane, but with some important differences:

§         It uses ultrasonic echoes to find out what objects are in the vicinity.  This includes objects at head height, like wing mirrors on lorries.

§         It gives tactile feedback, not audible which could interfere with other hazard information.  Different buttons indicate the direction of the object.  The intensity of the vibration lets you know how far away the object is.

§         This type of feedback accesses the mapping area of your brain, enabling you to form an immediate awareness of the layout of your surroundings.

Advanced technology, simple to use 

The UltraCane needs surprisingly little practice.  73% of users feel confident within just a week.  That’s one reason why the UltraCane has won the Tomorrow’s World Health Innovation and European Electronics Design Application Awards.

Designed with the Vision Impaired in mind

The UltraCane has been six years in the making.  It was originally nicknamed the Batcane because it was inspired by the way bats get around in the dark.

We took the basic idea and spoke to hundreds of vision impaired people, incorporating their ideas to make sure that you end up with a product you can use with ease.
The user friendly UltraCane

Our testers told us they needed a primary aid that would make their lives easier.  Their ideas have resulted in a user friendly product that:

·        detects multiple objects in the vicinity

·        has an overhead sensor, and much greater preview than an ordinary white cane

·        is intuitive, just switch it on and go

·        is ergonomic, reducing the risk of RSI

·        builds on existing skills from using an ordinary white cane

·        is rugged, hard wearing and easy to maintain

·        is a carbon graphite collapsible cane, so is lightweight

·        works on two rechargeable AA batteries, so its running costs are low

·        meets the quality standard BSEN ISO9001

·        is attractive and utilises up to date technology.

 

All this, from six years of design and development, for just £399 plus delivery.

(That’s about US$720, 600 Euros or

AUS$1025).  This includes 12 months

warranty as standard.  If you would like

the peace of mind of an extended

warranty, contact us for details.

 

 
   

              Enjoy a order now for delivery from November 2004.

              www.UltraCane.com

              Or call:      44 (0) 1226 201 666

              Or Email: info@soundforesight.co.uk

              Or write: Sound Foresight Ltd
              BBIC
              Innovation Way
              Barnsley  S75 1JL
              United Kingdom
 

§         You can choose from seven different lengths:  115cm (45in), 120cm (47in), 125cm (49in), 130cm (51in), 135cm(53in), 140cm (55in), 145cm (57in).  Additional lengths on request.

§         You can choose your preferred tip, from pencil, roller or large roller.

 

Don’t take our word for it – here are some comments from our vision impaired testers:

 

“When using the cane, people thought I was faking being blind, because I would tell them where things were and go around them and navigate well in different places without a lot of help. I amazed myself sometimes!”

 

“If I go out without it, which I don’t do,

I’m very well aware that I’ve left something behind like my left or right hand.”

 

“By being able to literally feel the environment around me I was able to use more skills in travelling. It leads to more freedom.”

 

And the professionals like it too:

 

“Many engineers have an image of what they think blind people want, but here the developers have taken the time to ask blind people, and to involve them in trials.  I’m convinced it’s going to be a real benefit to its blind and partially sighted users.”

Alan Brooks, New Initiatives Manager

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association