Description

What is the UltraCane?

It’s an electronic primary aid, modelled on the traditional white cane which incorporates 21st century technology offering increase mobility, safety and independence to the visually impaired user. It uses ultrasonic echoes to find out what objects are in the vicinity. This includes objects at head height, like wing mirrors on vans or lorries. It gives tactile feedback via two buttons on the handle. The two buttons indicate the direction of the object. The intensity of the vibration lets you know how far away the object is. This type of feedback accesses the mapping area of your brain, enabling you to form an immediate awareness of the layout of your surroundings.

How is it Different to a Long White Cane?

A visually impaired cane user will move ahead, sweeping a traditional long white cane from side to side or tapping at the extremities of each arch, synchronising each tap with their next footfall. A traditional white cane user’s knowledge of the path ahead is limited to the distance to the end of the cane, typically about 1.35metres. The cane offers no real protection against hazards at chest or head height at all, and very little information about what lies to the side, important to indicate route features such as the end of a wall. Therefore the UltraCane has been designed to give 100% coverage of the field of potential hazards for the user relevant to their direction: ahead, above and to each side of them.

Advanced Technology, Simple to use:

The UltraCane needs surprisingly little practice. 73% of users feel confident within just a week. That’s one reason why the UltraCane has won the Tomorrow’s World Health Innovation and European Electronics Design Application Awards.

The user friendly UltraCane

Our testers told us they needed a primary aid that would make their lives easier. Their ideas have resulted in a user friendly product that:

• detects multiple objects in the vicinity
• has an overhead sensor, and much greater preview than an ordinary white cane
• is ergonomic, reducing the risk of RSI
• builds on existing skills from using an ordinary white cane
• is rugged, hard wearing and easy to maintain
• is a carbon graphite collapsible cane, so is lightweight
• works on two rechargeable AA batteries, so its running costs are low
• works on two ranges, 2 metres and 4 metres (as shown in diagram)

Everyone is different

• The UltraCane can be customised to suit your style and height:
• You can choose from ten different lengths: 105cm (41in), 110cm (43in), 115cm (45in), 120cm (47in), 125cm (49in), 130cm (51in), 135cm (53in), 140cm (55in), 145cm (57in), 150cm (59in).
• You can choose your preferred tip, from pencil, standard roller or large roller ball.
• You can also switch between “near” or “far” settings, so the UltraCane can detect objects 2m or 4m away from you, to suit your needs and the environment you are in.

Features

The UltraCane is designed entirely with the user in mind.

• Carbon graphite collapsible cane which is reflective, lightweight and easy to store when not in use.
• Lengths are available from 105cm (41in) to 150cm (59in), in 5cm (2in) increments.
• Is ergonomic, reducing the risk of ‘Repetitive Strain Injury’.
• Is rugged, hard wearing and easy to maintain.
• Powered by two AA batteries only which will last up to 3 months if using the cane up to 3 hours a day.
• Switchable between “near” or “far” settings, so the UltraCane can detect objects 2m (6 ½ feet) or 4m (13 feet) away to suit the environment you are in. It can also detect objects at head height – within 1.5m from the sensor.