Digital Tactile Watch, Technology for The Blind and The Visually Impaired

Technology for the blind and the visually impaired has always been half-baked and visually drab; the argument being, where’s the need for visual enhancement when the user is not sartorially qualified! A biased opinion in the ‘eyes’ of many, thus opening up avenues for design enhancement and the incorporation of next-gen features in gadgets developed for the visually challenged. Matthew Wagerfield, in a revolutionary attempt, has created Sentio - a timekeeping device for blind and partially sighted users that exhibits the perfect marriage between avant garde design and cutting-edge tactile technology. Combining the technology of the old and the new, the Sentio features the 7-segment display typically seen on digital alarm clocks and watches.


It makes no sense, though, to use LEDs and other lighting options to display time for the visually impaired. Hence, the Sentio uses a tactile display, whereby each segment rises 1mm above the watch face. This enables blind users to read the time by touching the face as in the case of Braille watches.

The universal format displays time in either hours or minutes depending on the mode selected. With attractive color options and its fashionable appearance, the watch will certainly redefine technology for the blind. The visually impaired have something to cheer about, finally!