Imagine living in a pitch-black world where you are void of any sight or sound. For those who are both deaf and blind this is their world. For these people communicating with others is no easy task. This is precisely why Tom Bieling created his new invention, the Lorm glove.
Lorm, is a tactile alphabet spelled out with strokes to the hand. This type of communication was invented in the 19th century by Hieronymus Lorm and is still used today by the deaf-blind community. Since the Lorm relies significantly on physical contact, people have to meet face-to-face in order for them to communicate. Due to this factor, only a few people ever enter the deaf-blind people’s social circle.
However, now with the help of the ‘Lorm glove’ the deaf-blind can widen their social network. The ‘Lorm glove’ is knitted out of fabric pressure-sensors, which translates a hand touch alphabet into digital text. This allows the deaf-blind to communicate freely online with anyone of their choice.
For more information:
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150312-how-to-talk-online-with-only-touch