Argo
Argo is an open-source project designed to increase the autonomy of visually impaired swimmers by signaling their turn and orientation in the pool through different vibrations. This assistive technology is made up of three communicating devices: two positioned at the edge of the pool and one attached to the goggles on the back of the head. The wearable device communicates with the swimmer via three small vibration motors contained in an ergonomically shaped device that attaches to normal swimming goggles. A laser and a photocell placed on opposite sides of the pool detect the swimmer's movements and help him/her orientate along the straight lane, alerting him/her when he/she approaches the edge of the pool.
Name: Daniela Bigon, Giuseppe Campanale, Sara Labidi / Università Iuav di Venezia - prof. G. Chiapponi, prof. L. Perondi, prof. M. Romero
daniela@danielabigon.com
People with disabilities are increasingly entering the world of adapted swimming because of its many advantages. Currently, the way to communicate with blind swimmers during their activity is very rudimentary or difficult to access, so it is useful to respond to this need with a technology that is within the reach of everyone regardless of their socio-economic status. The project is also complemented by a user manual accessible to visually impaired users. Braille texts and tactile images guide the user to a step-by-step understanding of how to use the device. As digital assistive technology develops more rapidly than ever, this revolutionary code provides vital access to the written word and, wherever you look around, it is used every day by blind people.
Our device is designed to be worn by the athlete in a practical way. Thanks to the constant monitoring, it is able to communicate with the swimmer if deviations from the safe path occur, correcting the trajectory. The device also informs the swimmer when approaching the edge of the pool. The exchange of information takes place through different vibro-tactile signals, aimed at solving the problem of loud noises in swimming pools. Vibro-tactile signals represent an effective and discreet communication system, as demonstrated by their high application in our smartphones and smartwatches.
As an open-source project, Argo was designed using easily available materials and simple technologies with low costs. However, open-source design still has many limitations and issues. In the future, we aim to realise an industrialised version of our device, using more powerful and up-to-date technologies.