An actual batmobile

My old bike got a makeover today c/o those clever scientists at Leeds University. Here you see it with biomimicry technology fitted which would enable a blind/visually impaired person to cycle independently. It uses echolocation (like bats use) to locate obstacles and warn the rider by nifty vibrating buttons. The closer you are to the obstacle the more it vibrates. Amazing how quickly you could build a picture of your surroundings with your eyes closed. Of course we were just walking with it, but we did see some footage of a young VI man riding a mountain bike down a track using it. I'll try and find the link.

The more practical use of this technology is the Ultracane, which allows you to avoid obstacles without bashing them with the cane first. Clever, clever stuff.