Sound Foresight Ltd was founded in 1998 by ultrasound researchers within the University of Leeds, who came up with the idea of combining their ultrasound expertise with knowledge about mapping in the brain to create a product that would genuinely make a difference to visually impaired people.

The ‘batcane’ as it is nicknamed was awarded the BBC Tomorrow’s World Health Innovation Award (link to Tomorrow’s World streaming video link and press release) and is based upon the conventional long cane yet it provides more navigational information. The cane navigates by bouncing ultrasonic signals off objects that lie in its path and it feeds the information back to the owner. This makes it possible to avoid obstacles with confidence - even obstacles at head height. No other primary aid can do this effectively.

After successful trials the cane is now being developed for manufacture and will be launched by the end of 2003. In the meantime, the Sound Foresight website  will be periodically updated over the next few months, so that you can be kept informed about the launch and how to go about getting hold of the product. There will also be a competition to win the first cane off the production line. For further information please read the most recent press release or find out more about what the paper's say.
 
See the batcane in action: Pictures   BBC Tomorrows world video

Sound Foresight Ltd - an associate company of Sound Alert Technology plc

The inventors: 

Prof. Deborah Withington
Neurophysiologist. Professor specializing in the spatial perception of sound by mammals, including humans.

Dr. Dean Waters
Biologist and bat expert. Lecturer  working on the processing of ultrasound by bats. Dean featured in Adam Hart-Davis' BBC2 science programme on "The Senses"  Boxing Day 2001. 

Prof. Brian Hoyle
Electronics expert. Professor working on the use of ultrasound in tomography.

Dr Malcolm Povey
Food scientist. Lecturer internationally known for his work on ultrasonic testing of food.