Gadget for a cause: X-watch for Blind and sighted

By Cheryl | July 17, 2008

Coming from the brain of Poland’s Damian Kozlik is another variation of the good old watch called the ‘X-Watch’, which is an attempt to make a watch that can be used by the blind as much it is good for the sighted.
Though it looks a bit confusing in the first go, but when you get to know it comes to fore as an interesting thing. The rubber strap carries a number of LEDs behind graduated glass with extruded braille numbers that chris-cross to highlight and center the correct time.
Blind people just need to move a finger along the graduated watch glass, when he touches the highlighted panel, he will hear the sound.

How does it work?
Every segment of the watch glass works like separated touch switch. There are two solutions possible:
1. Every panel works like capacitance touch switch. It needs only one electrode to function. The electrode can be placed behind a panel. It works using body capacitance. When a person touches it, it increases the capacitance and triggers the sound.
2. Every panel works like resistance touch switch. This solution needs metal units to function. There are two thin pieces of metal on the each panel. It works by lowering the resistance between them. It is much simpler in construction compared to the first solution. Placing a finger across the metal units achieves a turn on the sound. Removing the finger from the metal pieces turns the sound off.

Via: Yankodesign

Topics: Concept, Watch