echolocation

Study shows people can learn how to echolocate in just 10 weeks

June 7, 2021 8:35 am

Echolocation, is shared by many other species, including whales and dolphins — even people can learn how to use it.

Now, new research shows that both sighted people and those who are blind can learn how to echolocate using clicking noises, either from one’s own mouth, footsteps or walking cane taps, after just 10 weeks of training.

The study out of Durham University in England found that neither age nor level of vision loss limited people’s ability to learn click-based echolocation or use the skill during different tasks. What’s more, all participants who were blind said their new talent improved their mobility, while 83% said their independence and well-being got a big boost. read more

This glove uses the force to assist visually impaired with sonar technology

November 2, 2020 6:29 am

Researchers at NUI Galway’s Health Innovation via Engineering (HIVE) Lab have incorporated a sophisticated sonar system into gloves to create the JediGlove, a wearable that assists the visually impaired.

What was the inspiration for the JediGlove?
The gloves are inspired by Star Wars’ fictional use of ‘the force’ and bats’ echolocation abilities.

“We have nicknamed the device the JediGlove because it lets someone who is visually impaired ‘feel the force’ of objects in their environment,” explained Derek O’Keeffe, Professor of Medical Device Technology at NUI Galway, who worked on the project. read more

Study Confirms Accuracy of Using Mouth Clicks to Identify Location of Objects

February 28, 2018 11:30 am

Some people who are blind learn the extraordinary skill of echolocation, using mouth clicks to explore their environment in a way comparable to how bats navigate. Echolocation is typically used alongside a cane or guide dog and gives an impression of the person’s broader surroundings.

Now scientists have uncovered new insights into how this feat is performed, which could help others to learn the skill.

The study confirms that people can identify objects with a high rate of accuracy by listening for echoes of mouth clicks and that they make subtle alterations to their clicking patterns depending on the object’s location. read more