Kyocera Corp. has developed a smart cane that will allow those with visual impairments to safely navigate places such as train platforms.
When approaching the edge of a train platform, the cane will vibrate or emit a sound, alerting its user of approaching danger and helping to prevent the person from falling onto the tracks.
With cooperation from companies including train operators, the aim is to put the device into practical use within three years.
Making use of its wireless communication technology, Kyocera's system involves placing electronic tags in places such as along the edges of platforms or in the connecting passage between train cars. When a smart cane user walk towards the platform's edge or approaches an area where the gap between the train and the platform is wide, the scanning device implanted within the cane will pick up information from the tags and alert the user through vibration or other means.
The scanning device can also sync with the user's smartphone and emit an audio warning, saying something to the effect of, "You are approaching the edge of the platform."
A series of accidents at train stations involving the visually impaired have occurred across the country. According to the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, there were 63 cases of people with visual impairments falling from platforms and three cases of them being by trains in fiscal 2018. The use of platform doors has not been progressing, with the percentage of stations using them throughout the country stagnant at just 8%.
According to Kyocera, the cost of installing platform doors at one station can be above hundreds of millions of yen, but the installation cost of the electronic tags would be within the range of millions to tens of millions of yen.
A Kyocera public relations official said that the company expects the cost would be offset by the reduction in accidents. In the future, the plan is to expand the system beyond train stations, aiming for places such as crosswalks and stairways.
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