B.Band

What it does

B.Band enables visually impaired people to clearly mark everyday products using Braille.

Your inspiration

Often, simple products can improve the lives of people with impairments many times over. Distinguishing between different products is just as essential for a sighted person as it is for people with visual impairments.

How it works

B.Band is a rubber band to which a bar is attached which in turn offers space for 10 letters in Braille. By means of a grid element which is placed over the braille bar, points which are not needed can be pushed back with the help of an enclosed pen in order to label the band. The flexible tape can therefore be applied to different products and enables blind people to identify the products. The B.Band is reusable.

Design process

An important part of the development of the B.Band was to conduct interviews with the people concerned in order to clearly discuss the need and use of the product. After an extensive sketching process on form and functions, first prototypes were produced by silicone casting. These prototypes were then tested with the people concerned.

How it is different

B.Band can help an impaired person to regain some independence in everyday life. Often it only takes small innovations to make a big change in the everyday life of such people. B.Band is a product with many areas of application such as bottles, cans, packaging in the food or hygiene sector.

Future plans

In the next steps, the function will be optimised and further improved by means of new prototypes. The aim is to produce a functional, simple product with added value for everyone who has to cope with such problems in life.

Awards