Bus passengers with visual or hearing impairments get helping wristband

Primasil and Mobile Onboard, an on-bus technology developer, have collaborated on a silicone rubber wearable device that vibrates and flashes to tell visually or hearing impaired passengers when their stop is approaching

To use the ViBus proof-of-concept prototype wristband, a passenger requiring assistance tells the driver his or her destination. The driver taps the wristband’s number into the ViBus app, along with the destination details and then the passenger puts it on.

Via WiFi and Bluetooth connection, a signal is sent to the device to make it vibrate and flash at the right time for the passenger to alight.

Although the concept is simple, to make the wristband practical and commercially viable Primasil said it had to meet challenging design imperatives to ensure the band is discreet, compact, a good fit, and ergonomically easy to put on and remove.

It was also essential that the silicone membrane should be sufficiently transparent to transmit the device’s LED lights, according to the company.

Mobile Onboard director, Corbin Adler said: “This is the first time we have used our rapid prototyping facilities for a project with silicone rubber as a key design element.

“We had heard that Primasil’s approach was out of the ordinary and with a responsive ‘can do’ attitude they quickly identified the most effective silicone rubber solution for our project. It was clear that Primasil understood and focused on the commercial and practical needs.”

He added:  “The proof of concept prototype has now been successfully trialled in Nottingham and next steps include a few minor adaptations and commercial considerations under the remit of our partners Transport Systems Catapult, alongside the Department of Transport.”

Primasil’s managing director, Steve Wheeler, said: “As Mobile Onboard has discovered, silicone rubber offers businesses a whole new world of opportunity.

“We have been delighted to work with Mobile Onboard on such a worthwhile project and we look forward to seeing how this device makes a difference to people’s lives.”