An innovative solution that promises to help visually impaired people get around is brought by Yone Saranga, a computer engineering student at the Instituto Superior de Ciências e Tecnologia de Moçambique (ISCTEM) in Maputo.

She invented a sensory bracelet capable of detecting obstacles where users are walking.

She conceives of the bracelet as a "smart friend" or "guide dog" that supports its "owner" on a safe walk, alerting him when it's time to swerve or dodge an obstacle.

"The sensors installed in it make it possible to warn when there is an obstacle and guide the user to safe routes," explained Saranga, quoted by the News.

The prototype was produced using the skeleton of the watch or bracelet, coupled with a series of circuits, ultrasonic sensors, batteries and vibrators.

The innovator says that the idea of producing the electronic device came from a situation in which a visually impaired person was crossing the road and even though he had priority, he was about to be hit by a distracted driver, without having the opportunity to react.

"That's how I thought about what I could do to prevent such an event from happening. I have to confess that it wasn't easy to produce the device and the difficulties were exacerbated mainly by the limitations in acquiring the material needed to make the bracelet. Even so, it was interesting to take my idea from paper to practice," said Saranga.

The 17-year-old student is already considering setting up a company dedicated to producing sensory bracelets and helping more visually impaired Mozambicans overcome the barriers faced by this group of people.