Haptic Feedback Sleeve
We live in an world where many people are unfortunate enough to have lost, or never had access to, one of their five senses. My partner and I set out in attempt to mimick two of these senses by creating a bio-tech device that can "see" and "hear" the world, then package that information and send it back to the user by means of alternate neural pathways.
The device consists of a microprocessor and an rectangular array of small bio-compatible needles. These components are built into a discreet forearm sleeve that the user can wear without any interference with general activities. In its current state, the microprocessor takes text input from a remote computer and processes the data into electrical signals that are sent to the needle array. The needles pierce a few microns into the skin, which allows us to stimulate nearby nerves with low voltages without causing pain or scarring. This light stimulation is created in patterns that the user can learn to associate with the original input. Testing was done translating text into a preexisting method of sensory substitution, braille patterns.
