KOCHI: The Ernakulam district panchayat on Tuesday distributed electronic smart canes to around 150 visually impaired persons, making it possible for them to move around.

District panchayat president Eldhose Kunnappilly inaugurated the project, which was initiated spending Rs 4.5 lakh from the Plan fund, at a function held at the District Panchayat Hall.

The smart cane, which costs Rs 3,000, functions by detecting obstacles - up to eight metres away- using ultrasonic waves.

“The range of the obstacle is conveyed to the user through vibratory signals, with differentiated characteristics. It is designed as a user-detachable unit,” said Eldhose.

The smart cane was developed by the Indian Institute of Technology - Delhi, in association with its industrial partner Phoenix Medical Systems, Chennai.

“There have been many instances wherein the visually impaired met with accidents due to lack of support. We are happy that this device would be a blessing for people like us,” said Kerala Federation of Blind state president K J Varghese, who presided over the function.

Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/Smart-Canes-Distributed-Among-the-Blind/2015/08/19/article2981546.ece