A breath-sensor device to provide communication power to the disabled
To be physically fit is a boon that not many of us are blessed with. While there is a significant number of people who suffer from different kinds of disabilities, there are hardly any cost effective solutions available to help
them communicate with the world. Susant Pattnaik, a 17-year-old student of class 12, has made an effort to address this need of the disabled.
Pattnaik, son of a veterinary doctor in Bhubaneswar, Orissa, has created a breath-sensor device for those who use wheelchair. The device could help them do normal chores just by breathing into the sensor.
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| Technology Demonstration - Former president of India APJ Abdul Kalam looks at Pattnaik's device demonstration in Ahmedabad |
"One day I saw a completely paralyzed person who was unable to see clearly. For a moment I began to think of developing a technology which can allow them to do all types of work just as normal human beings do. I began wondering about the most common aspect between a normal human being and a paralyzed person. The answer was brain and breathing," says Pattnaik.
In 2008, he began working on his concept. After two years and an expense of Rs 2-3 lakh, funded by his parents, he finally created a breath-sensor and remote control device that could convert breath into electromagnetic energy.
The wheelchair device has four components: sensor, controller, transmitter, and a receiver. The breath sensor is attached to a headphone-like device. This battery-operated device uses wireless signals to communicate with the wheelchair. The sensor senses the breath and gives signal; the controller has pre-timed LED bulbs (each one for specific function) based on which the user breathes into the sensor; the transmitter transfers the signal; and the receiver receives it. When a user breathes into the sensor, a pulse is generated activating the transmitter. The transmitter actuates the receiver which in turn activates a relay. The process triggers the controller to light up the LED bulbs (each LED bulb on the device can remain lit up for two seconds). When a bulb corresponding to a particular function lights up, it is a signal to the user to breath into the sensor. When the user breathes into the sensor, the signal gets transmitted and the controller starts performing that particular function, which may signal food, water, washroom, moving the wheelchair, or even to turn on/off an electric switch. According to Pattnaik, if the electronic switch panel is integrated with his system, then it will be possible to use breath to operate the switches wirelessly.
Pattnaik says his breath-sensor apparatus technology can even be implemented in a tractor to allow a paralyzed person run the tractor on a field by just breathing. Thus, there are bright prospects of the application of this technology.
Pattnaik’s innovative technology is still a prototype and needs further modification to be converted into a product. However, value addition work has already been initiated by National Innovation Foundation (NIF). The foundation has also filed for a patent of the technology in Pattnaik’s name.
Once the prototype gets refined into a product, NIF would aid its commercialization.
This article is sourced from: Technology Review India.
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