For two years now, Blues has sponsored a Hackster challenge called Build2gether. The purpose of the challenge is to bring together product designers, engineers, hackers, and makers of all types to build robust POCs with a focus on assistive technologies.
This year's iteration, Build2gether 2.0, focused on products that could potentially assist individuals with mobility and/or visual impairments.
In preparation for the challenge, Blues sent out kits to developers around the world, providing them a foundation upon which to build their connected products. These kits included:
Alongside Blues, other sponsors provided additional hardware components. Developers then had to pick-and-choose the best combination of hardware for their product concept.
Blues Project Takes Ultimate Prize
We couldn't have been more proud to see that a project built around the Notecard and Notehub was awarded the top overall prize!
Hackster user donutsorelse created a well thought-out product described as A Smart Hiking Stick for the Visually Impaired.
The project itself is best summed up in the authors' own words:
The goal of this project is to not only specifically help those with visual impairments, but also to create a device that's generally useful enough that anyone would be happy to carry it around. It can be used to help visually impaired people navigate with ultrasonic sensors, monitor for falls, monitor walks to ensure the user is ok, and send alerts. And, for more general usefulness, it can tell you how far you are from home, send messages, check the time, check the weather, automatically warn you of bad weather, and more.
Be sure to check out the fantastic video created to support this project:
Grand Prize for Visual Impairments
We were just as happy to see a grand prize winner in the visual impairments category was awarded to Dynamic Vision Assist.
From Hackster user Colonel Panic, "Dynamic Vision Assist" is a wearable device designed to allow a user with low-to-no vision navigate trails, parks, and hiking paths.
And here is a video of the winning product in action:
noteAre you also detecting a bit of a trend here from the winners...? 🥾🏔️
Additional Blues-Based Projects from Build2gether 2.0
Out of the 140+ other project submissions, we wanted to spotlight a handful of other standouts:
| Project | Image |
|---|---|
| SafeSteps: Enhancing Outdoor Mobility Empowering those with visual impairments to navigate outdoor spaces safely by detecting obstacles, elevation, and distance in real-time. |  |
| Object Sorter with Tactile & Audible Interface A moddable object sorting device for visually impaired users. |  |
| Freedom Help Call A help system to allow people with mobility issues feel safe and provide them the ability to call for help if they run into a problem. |  |
| Neptune An IR remote control and a light monitor with included fire detection alarm. |  |
| MovingFan: Enhancing Comfort and Safety A voice-controlled and movement-tracking fan for the visually impaired. |  |
| Smart Crutches A "smart crutch" to detect and report user falls the moment they happen. |  |
| Chef Vision 500 An intelligent culinary assistant for the visually impaired. |  |
Summary
We at Blues are humbled to see all of the projects submitted as part of this Hackster challenge. Participants, your time and effort have not gone unnoticed!
Feeling inspired yourself? Grab your own Blues Starter Kit and let us know how we can help you build the next great inclusive tech product. 💙
