# Bat-Inspired Eyewear 'WuFu' Glasses Use Ultrasonic Waves to Create Tactile Images for the Blind By Meghan Young | Published 2010-08-20 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wufu-glasses References: [thedesignblog.org](http://www.thedesignblog.org/entry/wufu-glasses-use-ultrasonic-waves-to-create-tactile-images-for-the-blind/) & [interface.khm.de](http://interface.khm.de/index.php/art/projects/wufu/) When I first stumbled upon these 'WuFu' Glasses, I couldn't help but think of Geordi La Forge's VISOR in 'Star Trek.' I mean, they both artificially produce sight for the blind. But whereas the VISOR produced energy-filled images, the 'WuFu' Glasses uses ultrasonic waves to produce tactile images. Inspired by bats, the 'WuFu' Glasses were developed by Lab3. According to The Design Blog, "the [visual aid](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lighthouse-tech) carries the ultrasonic waves to sensors on [opaque glasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xanderglasses-connect) and translates them, using two motors attached to the wrists of the wearer, into vibrations." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.2/10 - Popularity: 27% | Activity: 31% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Ultrasonic Tactile Eyewear:** The development of ultrasonic tactile eyewear has the potential to revolutionize visual aids for the blind. - **Biomimicry in Assistive Tech:** The increasing use of biomimicry in the development of assistive technology has the potential to create products that better mimic natural abilities. - **Wearable Accessibility Devices:** Wearable accessibility devices, such as the 'WuFu' Glasses, are becoming increasingly popular, and may offer a new way to provide better accessibility solutions. ### Where This Applies - **Assistive Technology:** The assistive technology industry stands to benefit greatly from the development of ultrasonic tactile eyewear. - **Wearable Technology:** Wearable technology companies should consider exploring the potential of creating accessibility devices like the 'WuFu' Glasses. - **Medical Devices:** The medical device industry may also benefit from the development of more intuitive, biomimetic devices like the 'WuFu' Glasses. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Visual Impairment Support Headsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vision-bone-conduction-headset.md) - [LiDAR-Powered Visual Impairment Headsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lumen-glasses.md) - [Text-Transcribing Eyewear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/assistive-wearables.md) - [Featherlight Smart Glasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brilliant-labs-halo.md) - [Object-Recognizing AI Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-wearable.md) - [Audio-Amplifying Glasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nuance-glasses.md) - [Superhuman Sight AR Glasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/utrack-ar.md) - [Wearable Assistive Smart Eyewear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lighthouse-tech.md) - [Athletic Training Eyewear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/falconframes.md)