MEMS based Braille system

Visually impaired individuals are not able to peruse like ordinary people. Tactile technologies are helpful for those to read through sense of touch but these technologies are not yet widely available, due to their high cost, non ideal response and degree of safety. In this research an attempt is made on designing an affordable and useable MEMS (Microelectromechanical system) based Braille system, offering an efficient way in improving readability of visually impaired people. Our ultimate goal is to design a wearable system that converts digital text files into tactile signals using USB port. This system will be based on MEMS actuators that would mimic these Braille dots. In this paper such a Braille system is presented having overall size of 9mm* 16mm. In comparison with other MEMS based Braille systems, this design requires low input voltage i.e. 0.6V in order to produce required deflection of 0.25mm of Braille dot. With the help of this tactile display visual impaired person can read with the speed of sighted human beings. The device is easy to wear as the material and operating temperature are not harmful to the human skin.