Why The BuzzClip is Important...

Orientation and Mobility is difficult for a person living with blindness or partial sight. In urban jungles like Toronto, there happen to be many hazardous obstacles scattered all over the city that are difficult to detect. Navigating around busy streets with construction signs, barriers, promotional signboards and tree branches has always been a daily challenge for those living with vision loss.

A major pain point that needs to be addressed is detecting obstacles above the waist, particularly at the head level. Traditional aids such as a cane or a guide dog do not always address these issues. As a result, irritable or serious accidents are a frequent nuisance for someone living with blindness or significant loss of vision. 

Moreover, due to the social stigma attached with visual impairment, for those who are partially sighted, there are no solutions at all. Many of these individuals tend to opt out of using a cane or a guide dog as they do not want to stand out in public or be perceived as someone that needs help.

 

Feel the Buzz. Not the Bump.

Utilizing a device like the BuzzClip can greatly improve day-to-day life for a person living with blindness or severe vision loss by:

          • Reducing Accidents & Irritable Injuries                   

          • Improving Independence & Confidence                

          • Quickening Rehabilitation & Training                        

          • Reducing Care & Rehabilitation Costs                      

          • Providing a Hands-Free Solution                                 

          • Reducing Fear of Mobility                                               

          • Encouraging an Active Lifestyle                                  

Key Features

Dual Range Detection

• The frequency and intensity of the vibrations increase as an obstacle gets closer to the user (or vice versa)
  
• At about arm's length (50 cm) there will be 3 quick vibrations warning the user to stop and make sure the path ahead is clear.

Twist to Toggle Modes

                OFF                                NEAR                                FAR 

Haptic Feedback  

The spring loaded arm can be easily opened and locked through a simple push and pull motion.  The vibrator motor is at the end of this arm is encircled in a sweat proof enclosure. This allows the intuitive vibrations to be isolated, providing a stronger response signal to the user. Ideal for when one is wearing loose clothing.     

             

Battery and Charging

The Spring Clip ensures stable and secure attachment to many forms of clothing. It has been designed with an angle so that when one is wearing thicker winter clothing, the sensor remains parallel to their body...

Empower Blind Youth in Developing Countries

There are over 314 million visually impaired people in the world, 45 million of which are totally blind. It is estimated that over 87% of this total population reside in the developing world. To directly impact these communities, we are offering our backers the option to gift BuzzClips to blind children and students in the developing world. Even if you are not visually impaired yourself, or do not know anyone who is, your contributions can still change the lives of blind youth living in these countries.

Perks

Get the Best Price.....Only on Indiegogo!

As a thank you for backing us, we are offering the BuzzClip at a price well below what it will retail for later. We also offer special perks that allow you as contributors to make a long-lasting impact to blind communities in the developing world.                                    

Stretch Goals

Why We Need You

We've spent a lot of resources to get this far, but now we need your help. With your backing we will be able to make a BuzzClip available to all those who need one. The funds raised through our campaign will help us achieve these final milestones:

• Tooling and Manufacturing setup. To manufacture a device like the BuzzClip, we need to place an order of at least 1,000 units. We have already picked most of our manufacturing partners and we will be making our device in Canada.
• Assembly and Packaging Costs.
• Acquire all necessary Certifications: EMC, CE, etc.

Product Development

Here's a look at where we started and what's to come in the near future......

Early Functional Prototypes

Form Exploration - Concept Sketches

Working Prototypes

Refined BuzzClip Design

Timeline

Vision Loss is an important and personal issue to Co-Founders, Arjun Mali and Bin Liu. Arjun has spent much of his life helping the blind in India whereas Bin's father has inoperable glaucoma. With their deep ties amongst visually impaired communities, the founders listened to many of the challenges and hardships that comes with vision loss and decided to create something that would greatly improve day-to-day life for people who are blind, deaf-blind or partially sighted. Of course we couldn't have got this far without the rest of the awesome iMerciv Team......

Can the Buzzclip detect really small objects?

The Buzzclip can detect even the smallest wires and tree branches, so don’t worry, it will warn you if there is anything in your direct path.

Is ultrasound safe for the body?

Yes. There are no harmful effects. (Ultrasound has been used to produce images of babies all around the world for decades) 

Is The BuzzClip meant to replace my cane or guide dog?

No. The BuzzClip is not a replacement to traditional aids such as canes or guide dogs, it should be used as an accessory or as a secondary aid. The BuzzClip cannot detect drop-offs, stairs or changes in elevation. For these situations, please rely on your primary aids.

Is the Buzzclip rechargable?

Yes. The Buzzclip is rechargable through a micro USB charger, just like many of the android phones on the market.

How often do I need to charge my BuzzClip?

The Buzzclip will lasts up to 10 hours under rigorous use. It will easily last the full day under normal use. We recommend that you charge it over night after using it.

How often should I charge the Buzzclip?

The Buzzclip will indicate its current Battery Level through vibrations upon switching on.

• 4 vibrations indicates that the battery is above 75%.
  
• 3 vibrations indicates the battery is between 50% – 75%
  
• 2 vibrations indicates the battery is between 25% - 50%
  
•  1 vibration indicates that the battery is less than 25%, Charge it soon!
  

Will it work with thick winter clothes?

The Buzzclip is designed so that it can be attached to even the thickest winter jackets. Bring on the Canada Goose!

Can I get rained on while wearing my BuzzClip?

The Buzzclip is water resistant. It will function perfectly in light to moderate rain. Don’t go swimming with it though!

Will I still need to use my cane or guide dog if I start using BuzzClip?

The Buzzclip is not meant to be a replacement for white canes or guide dogs. It can help It can be used alone if you are partially sighted and need to protect your blind spots. If you are a current cane or guide dog user however, you can use the BuzzClip for upper body protection that a cane or guide dog cannot offer.

Where should I wear the BuzzClip?

We are proud to say that the Buzzclip is the most versatile ultrasonic proximity detector on the market! You can wear the BuzzClip anywhere based on your vision needs. We recommend the following:

• on the lapel of your coat or jacket
• between the buttons of a shirt
• on your sleeves (long or short)
• around your beltline
• pockets

I am partially sighted, is the BuzzClip useful for me?

Yes. If you have moderate loss of focal or peripheral vision, then the BuzzClip is definitely useful for you. Its versatility allows you to attach it in the direction of your blind spots. No longer will you have to worry about running into anything or anyone.

Can I use more than one BuzzClip at once?

Yes. Multiple BuzzClips can be used at a time for greater coverage your body. This would give you more information about your immediate surroundings; one BuzzClip on the chest and one of each sleeve in order to protect your front and sides. 

What is the detection range of BuzzClip?

BuzzClip has a 30 degree conical detection range. If worn on the upper chest (collar) it will cover your entire upper body (above the waist to the top of the head) and warn you of any obstacles that might collide with you within this range.

Can I change the distance obstacles I want to detect?

Yes. The BuzzClip has 2 distance settings controlled by an intuitive slide switch. You can toggle between 2 meters and 1 meter based on the environment that you are in. We recommend the 2 meter mode for outdoors and the 1 meter mode for indoors.

Will the BuzzClip make loud noises when it vibrates?

We understand that echolocation is extremely important for legally blind individuals, therefore the BuzzClip will make minimal noise and will not interfere with your echolocation.

Will the BuzzClip vibrate constantly when I'm talking to someone?

No. When the BuzzClip measures a distance that does not change for more than 3 seconds (i.e when you are talking to someone who is at a constant fixed distance away). The BuzzClip will go to sleep until you or the person/object moves again.

Does the BuzzClip come with a warranty?

Yes. We offer a 6 months limited warranty on all BuzzClips.

What if I am not satisfied with my BuzzClip? 

If you are not satisfied with your BuzzClip, you can contact us at info@imerciv.com within 7 days of receiving your package and we will give you a full refund.

Purchasing and Shipping

What will be included in a shipping package?

One (1) BuzzClip, one (1) charger, one (1) charge cord, one (1) Cord Lanyard (to ensure you don't drop/lose your BuzzClip) and one (1) Instruction Manual.

Can I get multiple perks?

Yes, you can back the BuzzClip campaign as many times as you want, and choose as many perks as you want.

Where do my gifted BuzzClips go?

Gifted BuzzClips will go to a blind school and orphanage called Janta Adarsh Andh Vidyalaya (www.jaav.org) as well as the Blind Relief Association in Delhi (www.blindrelief.org). If you have a preferred destination for your Gifted BuzzClips, please let us know in the comments section and we can make it happen.

Can I choose what jewelry I get with the $50 perk?

Yes. During or after the campaign we will send out surveys giving our backers a choice of 3 to 4 options for the jewelry sets. 

Can I change or choose a different colour for my BuzzClip?

When we achieve our first COLOURS stretch goal, we ask all backers to vote on additional colours. Based on your feedback we will add most popular – most voted for - colors and then you will be able to order from that expanded set of colors.

When is the soonest I can have my BuzzClip shipped to me?

Our goal is to start shipping by March or April of 2016.

What is the shipping cost in Canada?

Shipping is free for all orders within Canada. 

What is the shipping cost to the United States?

Shipping is a flat rate of $15 for all orders in the U.S.

What is the shipping cost outside of U.S & Canada?

Shipping is a flat rate of $30 for all orders that are outside of U.S and Canada. Shipping is free worldwide for the bracelets ($25 perk) and jewelry sets ($50 perk).

Have a question for us? Our Frequently Asked Questions above just might have the answer you are looking for. Still looking to get in touch? Find us on Facebook or Twitter, drop us a line by email or give us a call.

Twitter: @imerciv

Facebook: facebook.com/imerciv

Youtube: Youtube.com/imerciv

Email: info@imerciv.com

Phone: 1-647-919-6565

Are you a member of the press? For press enquiries please email us at press@imerciv.com for press kits and more information.