Yuma student creates device that helps the visually impaired

Yuma High School Student, Luis Flores, engineered a device called Arduino for the Visually Impaired and Elderly.

The device consists of an ultra-sonic censor that utilizes sonar technology that is often used in submarines or boats that helps track distance. The distance is what then translates into data, sending a signal to the device letting the person know that they are about 40-centimeters away from an object.

It took Flores about a year to fully develop this project.

Last year he was able to test it on the woman who inspired him to create the device.

“My real inspiration for the device itself was seeing my 96-year old grandma and my blind uncle sort of struggle walking around their household. My uncle has visionary issues and my grandma is really starting to have depth perception . So walking around the house could be very troublesome for them, said Flores.”

After testing the device on his grandmother, Flores says he believes in his potential to continue using technology to help those who are in need.

“In all honesty it made me feel pretty accomplished, never in my life did I think something I can make something that had been torn an apart , built back together again, that was capable of something amazing,” said Flores.

Flores says that technology is extremely important to use in our daily lives.