Electronic Aid For Blind Approved

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31098, 29 June 1966, Page 1

Electronic Aid For Blind Approved

“The Torch”, invented by Dr. Leslie Kay, now professor of electrical engineering at the University of Canterbury, has been approved by St. Dunstan’s international conference on sensory devices for the blind for production as the first electronic aid.

“The Torch,” resembling a flashlight, was developed by Professor Kay as a result of his famous investigation of the “sonar” system of bats. Used by a blind person, it signals by the tone in an earpiece the size and nature of an obstacle at which it is pointed but it is more valu-

able in indicating the general environment.

Professor Kay said that approval of the device by this influential conference was a big step forward in assistance to the blind. He emphasised that “The Torch” was more for sensing environment than for direct aid to mobility like the dog, cane, or sighted guide. “It is a medium by which the blind can understand surroundings," he said, “but it would take a great deal of training to learn by experience that it can be a direct aid to mobility.” Professor Kay said “The Torch” would now go into production in England and be distributed in Britain and widely in the United States. “Controversy still continues on what is the best method of ensuring safe mobility for the blind but at present no alternative electronic device is available,” said Professor Kay. “The Torch,” which was the subject of an internationallypopular 8.8. C. documentary television film in its experimental stages, has now been filmed by the Central Office of Information for distribution \ overseas.