Brailliant
Assistive Braille Learning Device
We conceived an idea to solve braille illiteracy among visually impaired children: a machine that enables independent and personalised play-based learning through integration with LEGO Braille Bricks.
Engineering Design/Group Project
(Personally focused on mechanical design, prototyping and industrial design)
RESEARCH
Braille is the fundamental learning tools in reading, writing and communicating with the blind. It is an irreplaceable and modern method for literacy.
Just like typical children visually learning how to read and write, visually impaired children need Braille.
According to UNESCO, literacy through Braille provides greater access to independence, social integration, employment, and lifelong learning.
IMPORTANCE OF BRAILLE
STATISTICS
The prevalent methods of Braille teaching are all based on tactile input - visually impaired children see by touching.
Traditional methods are fairly boring ways to learn for children.
Traditional learning methods are still heavily relied on the 1:1 assistance with an educator, especially for younger students.
CURRENT METHODS OF BRAILLE LEARNING
INTERVIEWS
CONCLUSION
They look similar to the ordinary 2x4 bricks but with the studs arranged corresponding to numbers and letters in the Braille alphabet.
It also shows the printed version of the symbol or letter, allowing sighted and blind children to play and learn together on equal terms as well as facilitating parents to participate.
As a tangible way of learning and playing, visually impaired children can fiddle and play with those bricks like ordinary LEGO bricks. They can rearrange the bricks in so many ways, learning Braille at the same time.
Such play-based learning methodology can increase the effectiveness of memory retention of a child by up to 40%. This positively impacts the following factors for children’s development:
Through research I found the LEGO Braille Brick platform:
BUILDING UPON LEGO BRAILLE PLATFORM
There are many games developed to help with following skills…
... and the games are divided into many categories to target the different levels and focuses of Braille learning:
Example games include:
COMMENTS ON BRAILLE BRICKS
“...Having something tangible that you can rearrange in so many ways...”
“...can attract younger students. Kids think it’s more fun than other methods”
“Although it just gives us convenient access to moving letters around, it opened up so many possibilities”
“Children dislike making mistakes. If you use a braille machine, your mistakes are there written large. Children love to make something, unmake it if its wrong, and make it again.”
CONCLUSION
USER CASE
1.
3.
Twist the rotatory switch to select the game and hear it announced through the speaker.
After selecting the game, the device will set up the game by picking up corresponding bricks and laying them down on the LEGO board (the ‘drawer’).
2.
The speaker will announce the status when Braillant finishes laying out the game.
Now the user can take out the drawer and play anywhere.
4.
5.
The user can now arrange the bricks to form the correct word. (Spare bricks will be given to choose the right answer)
After finishing the game, the user now just need to insert the drawer back to Braillant. The camera will scan the bricks to check the answer. It will announce the result and the feedback, and it will empty the LEGO board and sort the bricks back in the storage.
The prototype is made out of V-slot extrusion bars and laser cut acrylic sheets.
Stepper motors drive the X and Y axis movement of the grabber, and the grabber picks up bricks from storage and put it down on the LEGO board.
PROTOTYPE OVERVIEW
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT - ELECTRICAL
IDEAL FINAL PRODUCT
FINAL RENDERING
Video
REFLECTION ON PRODUCT
According to the previous market research, number of visually impaired children in less developed countries are severely more compared to developed countries.
While the current design is targeted at developed countries, we believe an alternative low-cost version of Braillant can be manufactured for developing countries to let it help more children.
The low-cost version will aim at:
- using more robust structure and more durable materials
- easy-to-assemble and compact design
- focusing on the key functions
- using more mature technologies and standard components for easy maintenance
- battery pack in case of no power supply