26th  September 2002

‘Batcane’ Wins BBC Tomorrow’s World Health Innovation Award 

New technology that will revolutionise the way blind and visually impaired people can move around has been awarded the 2002 BBC Tomorrow’s World Health Innovation Award, in association with NESTA. 

The Batcane is to be launched by the end of 2003.  It has been developed by Sound Foresight Limited, in partnership with Cambridge Consultants Limited, using two new types of technology: 
The first is inspired by the way bats are able to navigate in absolute darkness.   The Batcane uses ultrasonic echoes:  signals which bounce off objects present in the environment, and feedback information to the cane.  This covers the areas in front, to either side, and, uniquely, to the head height of the user.  It is the first cane which gives reliable information about obstacles at that height, such as low branches and wing mirrors on lorries. 
The second new technology is tactile feedback designed to access a specific part of the brain used in mapping the surroundings.  We move around in a complex environment, and the Batcane enables the visually impaired user to understand the elements present in a way that is much more immediate than has previously been possible.

Recently completed trials have shown that these two technologies enable a blind or visually impaired person to feel more confident about moving around, in turn providing wide ranging benefits, from improved posture to increased quality of life.

Dr Dean Waters, Human Factors Director of Sound Foresight and one of the inventors of the Batcane, commented:  “We are very thankful to the visually impaired people all over the world who have contributed to the trials of the Batcane.  Their enthusiasm for the product has been overwhelming and their feedback will help us to create a user friendly product which has the potential to enrich and enhance a great many lives.”

Tomorrow’s World’s Executive Producer, Tina Fletcher, said:  “The Tomorrow’s World Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of people whose inventions help improve the world we live in and which are able to improve quality of life.   The Batcane is a deserved winner, congratulations to the whole team.” 
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Notes for editors:

Sound Foresight Limited was created in 1998 as a result of informal contacts between researchers within the University of Leeds who had an interest in the use of ultrasound.  Product potential was explored with the support of the Department of Trade and Industry in the form of a Smart Feasibility Award.  In early 2001, Sound Alert Technology plc, also a Leeds University spin-out company, acquired the University of Leeds majority shareholding of Sound Foresight.   

The Batcane has been developed for manufacture in partnership with Cambridge Consultants Limited (CCL®), who produced the prototype.  CCL designs and develops innovative new products, processes and systems.  With a team of over 250 engineers and scientists, it is able to offer solutions across a diverse range of industries including healthcare, telecoms, industrial and consumer products, automotive and aerospace.

The Tomorrow’s World Awards are made in association with NESTA, the National Endowment for Science, Technology & the Arts.  NESTA’s mission is to support and promote talent, innovation and creativity in science, technology and the arts.   

For more information, please contact:

Jane Fowler, Managing Director, Sound Foresight Ltd  01925 446151
Email:  info@soundforesight.co.uk

Website : www.soundforesight.co.uk