Nebula
A haptic wayfinding for the visually impaired
2021
IxDA Interaction awards 2022 finalist
Collaboration: Simon Dogger
Role: Designer & Software Developer
Keywords: wearable technology, e-textile, GPS, compass
Introduction![](../../../nebula/interaction1.jpg)
![](../../../nebula/interaction2.jpg)
![](../../../nebula/cases.jpg)
![](../../../nebula/samples.png)
![](../../../nebula/variations2.jpg)
![](../../../nebula/electronics3.jpg)
![](../../../nebula/electronics4.jpg)
![](../../../nebula/electronics5.jpg)
![](../../../nebula/making1.jpg)
![](../../../nebula/making2.jpg)
Travelling and exploring unfamiliar places is an exciting experience for sighted people. However, for the visually impaired and blind people, this experience is often more frustrating and mentally demanding than enjoyable.
By translating navigational data into haptic sensation, Nebula supports unfamiliar urban exploration for people with visual impairment. It allows users to explore without constantly figuring out where they are going or from where they come. Nebula minimises the fear of getting lost and relieves mental strain by creating a haptic breadcrumb trail to ensure the wearer always gets home.
By translating navigational data into haptic sensation, Nebula supports unfamiliar urban exploration for people with visual impairment. It allows users to explore without constantly figuring out where they are going or from where they come. Nebula minimises the fear of getting lost and relieves mental strain by creating a haptic breadcrumb trail to ensure the wearer always gets home.
Exploration
![](../../../nebula/interaction1.jpg)
Different ways of turnings on and off the device
![](../../../nebula/interaction2.jpg)
Different button sizes and interactions of setting a waypoint
![](../../../nebula/cases.jpg)
Trying different electronic cases
![](../../../nebula/samples.png)
Trying out different types of fabrics and design of belts
![](../../../nebula/variations2.jpg)
Variation of belts
Technical Design
The device translates navigational data, distance and direction into vibration point and frequency. Supported codes are in nebula github repository.
![](../../../nebula/electronics3.jpg)
Arduino Nano, 7 vibration motors, Compass (Beitan 880q), GPS (Beitan 880q), Battery
![](../../../nebula/electronics4.jpg)
Connecting the belt and the buckle
![](../../../nebula/electronics5.jpg)
Layout of vibration motors on the belt
![](../../../nebula/making1.jpg)
Sewing electronics with conductive yarn onto the fabric
![](../../../nebula/making2.jpg)
Connecting conductive yarns through connector to the buckle