DotSense: A 3D-Printed Refreshable Text-to-Braille Translator Device

Area of Science:

• Assistive Technology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• High cost of traditional Braille displays limits accessibility for visually impaired individuals, particularly in developing regions.
• Existing refreshable Braille technology often relies on expensive piezoelectric actuators, hindering widespread adoption.
• There is a critical need for affordable and portable Braille translation solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop DotSense, a low-cost, 3D-printed, refreshable text-to-Braille translator.
• To provide a cost-effective alternative to conventional Braille displays using electromagnetic mechanisms.
• To enhance accessibility of Braille technology for educational and personal use in resource-constrained settings.

Main Methods:

• Designed and prototyped DotSense using 3D printing, electromagnetic motors, and camshaft mechanisms.
• Integrated an ESP32 microcontroller and a mobile application for device control and text input.
• Utilized Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for digital text to Grade 1 Braille translation.
• Conducted functional and accuracy testing of the prototype.

Main Results:

• The DotSense prototype demonstrated successful translation of digital text into Grade 1 Braille.
• The device utilizes a cost-effective approach compared to traditional Braille displays.
• Prototyping and testing confirmed the functionality and accuracy of the DotSense system.
• The compact and ergonomic design supports portability and ease of use.

Conclusions:

• DotSense presents a significant advancement in making refreshable Braille technology more accessible.
• The low-cost, 3D-printed design addresses the economic barriers faced by visually impaired individuals.
• Further development is needed to overcome limitations such as power dependency and reading speed for broader application.