“Enjoy every minute.” |
SCIENCE HERO:
AMEEN ABDULRASOOL
by David Kemker
This simple decision has Ameen Abdulrasool on the threshold of one of the biggest innovations for the blind since Braille. Only instead of exploring the world of the written word, they’ll be exploring their own environment. Over the course of the last several years, Ameen has developed a self-contained, portable navigation system to help the visually impaired travel without the need of a guide. “It’s like an On-Star* system at the handheld level for the blind,” Ameen explains. His navigation system uses global positioning satellite technology, a headset and wristbands to guide the visually impaired through the busy streets of a modern world. At the very heart of the device is, not surprisingly, a sophisticated communication system. As the user proceeds to a pre-selected destination, he hears a steady stream of verbal cues, such as “sharp right turn in one meter,” “turn now,” and “turn completed.” Right and left turns are accompanied by a vibrational signal in the corresponding wristband, a major enhancement according to Ameen. “Blind people become so used to using their guide cane, their sense of touch becomes a big part of their navigation skills.” And since the tool periodically updates the user’s position, the chances of getting lost, or having to rely on the kindness of a stranger are greatly reduced, leading to more independence, self-confidence and, ultimately, something Ameen Abdulrasool set out to provide from the beginning… “help.”
When asked who his hero was, Ameen Abdulrasool didn’t have to decide between Louis Braille and Thomas Edison. He wasn’t torn between Ben Franklin and Gandhi. No, the choice for Ameen’s hero would be an even tighter race, the one between Ashton Kutcher and Owen Wilson. “Since they’re both very funny, laid back, and always brightening people’s days.” As Ameen’s personal navigation device promises to brighten more than a few days for the world’s visually impaired, yeah, okay. That makes sense. Ashton Kutcher and Owen Wilson. Cool. |
Written by David Kemker Photos courtesy of Intel.com, google.com |
RELATED LINKS American Council for the Blind Expanding possibilities for people with vision loss.Science Service The International Science & Engineering Fair has been administered for the past 56 years by Science Service, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the understanding and appreciation of science around the globe through publications and educational programs. For more information about Science Service and the Intel ISEF, visit this site.Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar A weeklong seminar for young scientists, arranged in connection with the Nobel Festivities. Highly gifted students gather in Stockholm each December, where they are introduced to Swedish science and research. |
EXTRA INFORMATION
This story was made possible by a grant from The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. |