This project addresses a crucial accessibility issue: making literature more accessible for individuals with visual impairments. By innovating beyond the limitations of current Braille printing technologies, we aimed to develop a more affordable, durable, and user-friendly solution.
Individuals who are visually impaired face numerous barriers in acquiring literature, a problem compounded by flaws in current Braille printing technologies. Braille, a tactile writing system, provides essential access to written language for individuals with visual impairments. However, existing Braille materials are often expensive, fragile, and difficult to transport. Braille embossers—devices that produce tactile dots—commonly exceed $1,800 in cost and create materials that wear down over time. This fragility and expense contribute to a scarcity of accessible literary materials, significantly limiting opportunities for individuals with severe visual impairments to engage with literature.
Our project focused on designing a low-cost, mechanically durable Braille printer that could be built using commonly available components and open-source tools. We utilized a modular design to simplify wiring and maintenance, and we focused on using materials that could withstand regular use without losing tactile feedback. We aimed to minimize cost without sacrificing functionality, ensuring that the final design would remain accessible to individuals and small institutions with limited budgets.
Our prototype consists of a mechanical system capable of embossing Braille patterns onto paper using pins driven by solenoids and guided by a microcontroller. The system was tested for consistency, tactile legibility, and mechanical durability. Below are images of our prototype during development:
Click below to view the full presentation describing our project process and outcomes: