G4B: Technology for Better Mobility

The modern world has seen a whole lot of change with the introduction of technology. Harnessing this advancement, everyday tasks have been made easier for us by people like Anang Tadar, a scientist and innovator, whose invention is a classic product of modern technology directed at making everyday tasks more manageable for those needing extra visual assistance.

Anang Tadar receives the National Grassroots Inovator Award from the former president of India, Ramnath Kovind, for his invention of the G4B (Source: GlobalIndian.com)I

The plight of the visually impaired population arises not from their disability, but from the lack of accommodation facilities in their day-to-day lives. Indeed, people usually opt for non-prescription or Plano glasses to protect their eyes, but a certain creator saw functionality beyond that and brought it to life.

There are several reasons why these glasses are practical: it protects the eyes from stray debris, and harmful ultraviolet rays, and some even use them to signal to others that they may need assistance. The invention named 'Goggles for the Blind', also called G4B, is a model further developed to add benefit to these very glasses. It allows the wearer to detect obstructions along the way to decrease the chances of mishaps. The creator behind this invention, Anang Tadar, is a simple man from Arunachal Pradesh, India, who put his creativity to use to help others in need.

Hailing from Nirjuli village in Papum Pare, the scientist was first inspired to make the glasses when he, a college student, came across a visually impaired woman and witnessed her struggle to find directions. Many like her require assistance of some kind while carrying out their daily tasks. What Tadar noticed was that walking canes weren’t enough to provide proper guidance for them. Tadar says:

"In our day-to-day life we come across many obstacles and obstructions. Obstacles like electric poles, signboards, parked vehicles etc. which we do not have a problem overcoming as a normal person. But for the blind people, the very same obstacle is a significant problem. The simplest way to overcome these obstacles and avoid bumping into them is by using a cane stick. However, the cane sticks can only be used for detecting the obstacle lying below our knee. In most cases they fail to detect the overhang obstacles."

What made the glasses different from canes was their functionality, which was not limited to waist level. This allowed the user to detect motion and obstacles above their waist level, rendering them better equipped against obstacles.

An image of the prototype of the G4B glasses (Source: TedXTalks, Youtube.)

The core technology of the G4B uses the principle of echolocation, a typical hunting and navigation tool naturally equipped in bats. These animals inherently have poor eyesight. Due to this, they tend to emit ultrasonic frequencies from their nostrils and mouths, which often boomerang back to them when they meet with an object, thus revealing their location. Similar to this, Tadar’s invention has components like ultrasonic transmitters that mimic the use of ultrasonic waves to help the user identify the direction and location of the hurdles on their path.  The invention is also said to have undergone several testing stages with the help and involvement of actual visually impaired people.

For Tadar, engineering the device started off as a minor project, which he initially financed out of his own pocket money and displayed at various science fairs. It was only at one of these innovation festivals that his creation was acknowledged by the National Innovation Foundation and sponsored for further research, development, and testing. Naturally a curious person, he became highly interested in technology by the time he finished high school.

Despite facing a shortage of both finance and support in the process of building his prototype, the Arunachali native still managed to push through with his invention. It was his motivation and interest that led him to win the National Grassroots Innovation Award and Traditional Knowledge Award in 2019.

The G4B is perhaps one of those rare pieces of technology that has been procured to help a target audience. It gives the up-and-coming generations hope that science can still be put to use for the greater good even when the world witnesses more of its darker, destructive side. Anang Tadar’s message to the world remains clear: to remain resilient in one’s venture and to ‘follow your heart’ to make the ultimate difference in the world.