The images displayed on the lumbar belt can come from both the 3D sensors located on the glasses and the screen of a computer. They are then adapted for tactile restitution, then conveyed as sensory information by the nerves to the visual cortex of the brain. They will then be treated in the same way as if they came from the eyes. This new source of information is naturally interpreted whether one is blind from birth or not. The system adapts to each user and their level of control of the device. It works both indoors and outdoors, whether you are in the middle of nature or in the corridors of the metro at peak times.
Thanks to 100km walked in France with 100+ testers
Validation of the theory
First tests on a fully mechanical prototype.
September 2017
Proof of concept
Measures on the improvement of tactile acuity with training using the first electronic prototype.
January 2019
Moving around in a virtual environment
Experiments on movement and orientation in virtual environments (randomly generated labyrinths in the game Minecraft).
October 2019
Outdoor tests
Outdoor walks thanks to the integration of a camera.
October 2020
Training optimisation
The device is now 5 times faster to handle thanks to user feedback.
March 2021
Virtual driving
Tests in Trackmania to improve reactivity and perception distance.
December 2021
Real-life driving
Driving cars on a circuit to test the limits of the device and fulfil the dream of many blind people.
March 2022
French Vision Institute
The Streetlab study shows a very clear gain in mobility after only 10 minutes of use.
June 2022
As with learning to read or ride a bike, a learning phase is necessary to master the device. The various software improvements have made possible to shorten this time as much as possible.
After 10 minutes :
« For the locomotion task, despite the short training time (10 min), participants walking with the belt and the white cane detected obstacles significantly more than when they were only carrying their white cane or only wearing the belt. »
« 10/13 participants felt that the belt was useful or very useful for moving around. »
Quotes from the Streetlab report
After 1 or 2 hours, the mental load is reduced and perception becomes more and more precise.
After about ten hours of use, users can perceive up to 10 meters away realise the number of activities that become much more accessible to them. The mental load becomes zero and perception becomes a reflex, which makes the device very relaxing to use.
Sopra Steria Foundation Award
Grand Jury Prize awarded to Artha France on the theme of innovative and solidarity-based digital projects.
2018 Edition
Letter of congratulation from the First Lady
Brigitte Macron praised our commitment and mobilisation for the cause of disability.
June 2021
Handitech Trophy
Winner of the Mobility Solutions category
2021 Edition
RMC SME Trophy
Prize in the startup category, which brings Artha an advertising budget to be used on the RMC antenna.
2022 Edition
Visit from the French Minister of Culture
The French Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul-Malak, came to test our technology during the Paris Games Week event.
November 2022
Origins
Our work is based on Paul Bach Y Rita's research. He highligted the possibility to substitute the sense of sight by the sense of touch. Here is the device he used in the 80's for his experiment:
Our vision
We shared it during a TEDx conference at the Montansier theatre in Versailles:
In charge of the development of the CIE Guide Dogs of the Heart
May 2022
A blind man tests the device in mobility and in Trackmania
August 2022
Informatics trainer at the "Fédération des Aveugles val de Loire"
May 2022
Administrator of the apiDV association
January 2021
Rémi du
Chalard
Amaury
Buguet
Zacharie
Nataf
Francois
Outters
Alain
Salmon
Cosme
de Moucheron
Michel
Teyssedre
Roger
Pottlitzer
Raoul
Gilard
Smaël
Berahal
Alain
Ripart
Sylvie
Chokron
Malika
Auvray
Véronique
Bensadoun
Hugues
de Montalembert
Béatrice
le Bail
Click to see who is talking about us
