Divya Wear- Haptic Vest Pattern Design and Analysis

This work evaluated a haptic vest prototype designed to assist visually impaired individuals with navigation. Testing and feedback from 12 individuals with normal vision indicated that the sensing of vibrations provided by the prototype was adequate, but the comfort level was not satisfactory. Recommendations were made to improve the tightness of the vest by replacing the threads with a zipper or Velcro. Feedback on vibration pattern recognition suggested that two patterns out of seven considered were highly effective compared to other patterns. The patterns play a vital role in providing a cue to its wearers by providing timely essential information. Highly comfortable and distinguished patterns are key in developing cueing patterns for haptic wearable such as vest or DivyaWear in this case. Future developments could involve identifying new vibration patterns, repositioning motors, and integrating a camera for obstacle detection and visual feedback.