Muscat – An Omani student of College of Engineering at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) has made a smart stick to help visually impaired individuals be independent.

The device is being developed by Asaad Khamis Abdullah al Abri, 21, from the wilayat of Al Hamra, Dakhliyah governorate.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Abri informed that he started work on the project in 2018. “I noticed that visually impaired people face several problems, and that is what prompted the project. Their problems were even more evident following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The smart device is installed in the white cane used by the blind. “It includes a camera that senses the objects in the path of the user. It also has sensors and a small processor that analyses the images and sends an audio alert to the user of any danger around him,” Abri explained.

“The sensors use artificial intelligence and can also help blind parents track their children and know their whereabouts.”

One of Abri’s biggest challenges was programming the camera and syncing it with the sensors. That stage of the development took considerable time as it involved testing the device with blind individuals. “I sought the help of programming specialists and my colleagues to overcome the numerous challenges I faced.”

Speaking from his experience, Abri noted that Omani innovators need financial support and an environment conducive to innovation and experimentation.

Abri is currently working on fine-tuning the device with trials with blind individuals. Following registration of the device with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, he is hopeful of securing funding to produce it commercially.