Helet Loodus

• Rethinking positioning to advocate an active lifestyle among blind and visually impaired people
• Tutor: Ruth-Helene Melioranski

This Master’s thesis explores the obstacles in maintaining the independence of people who have lost sight later in life. The aim is to find an effective way to provide people with reduced vision confidence to move around independently.

ADDA is a technological platform merging data management and robotics capabilities to help visually impaired and blind individuals to move independently. Its goal is to provide individuals with limited vision with an artificial companion that facilitates movement and promotes an active lifestyle. This design solution allows users to explore their surroundings and move around without relying on another person.

The device has advanced sensors that collect relevant environmental information and detect obstacles well in advance, ensuring safety and security. Additionally, the digital assistant provides real-time verbal descriptions of the surroundings, making users more aware of their surroundings and reducing fear and anxiety in unfamiliar situations.