How to use Sunu Band Obstacle Detection

Sunu Band comes with two presets designed to help you with wide-open spaces or reduced spaces. Indoor and outdoor modes work with different ranges, 4 feet, and 16 feet, respectively. (1.5 meters or 4 meters).On one hand, Indoor mode has a narrow (body-width) detection area making it optimal for navigating indoors or crowded spaces, such, the supermarket, restaurants, shops, and your home.On the other hand, Outdoor mode has a wide detection area and works best for outdoor spaces; it will help you navigate in places like malls, parks, and any open space.

Remember that the Sunu Band is intended to detect obstacles that are at the waist/torso, upper body and head level.

Activating Obstacle Detection

1. Press Home Button to turn ON your Sunu Band.
2. Press the Navigate Button to activate the sonar sensor,
3. Swipe towards yourself or towards the sensor to activate the indoor mode, swipe againto switch to outdoor mode, swipe again to turn OFF Obstacle Detection; we explain this down below.

Switch between Modes

• First swipe: Indoor mode.
• Second swipe:​ Outdoor mode.
• Third Swipe: Turn OFF Obstacle Detection.
• Swipe again: Go back to Indoor mode

Note: Sunu Band works rotationally. Thus, every three swipes, you will go back to Indoor Mode.

Hand Gestures

The Hand Gesture enables you to pause the Obstacle detection with a double-tap on your hip. It’s useful in a situation in which you need to nap the sonar sensor without pressing any button.

This feature allows you to control the Obstacle Detection sensor on the go without interrupting your hands.

Get familiar with echolocation

1. Locate yourself in a room or place that you know by heart. Be sure you have enough space to walk and move around.
2. Start by placing yourself in front of a wall. Activate the indoor mode by following the three steps we explained before.
3. Press the Home Button, then the Navigate Button and swipe;
4. When you start feeling vibrations, try moving it to the sides without raising your arm and trying to discern if something changes.
5. Then, with the sensor pointing to the wall, step back, and feel the vibrations slowly being less and less constant until there are no vibrations whatsoever.
6. Try moving to a different location at home and place furniture in front of you to test and play with Sunu Band.

Understanding echolocation

Certain animals like bats and dolphins can orient themselves and navigate their environments using sounds like Sunu Band. Echolocation is the ability to use sounds and echoes that are reflected off of matter to find the exact location of objects within an environment, allowing you to navigate your surroundings by emitting a precise vibratory response you can feel on the wrist.

Sunu Band works in conjunction with the white cane or the guide dog. Your daily mobility will be safer and more autonomous when avoiding accidents and protecting your body’s upper part.

Sunu Band is only capable of detecting the echoes from the direction the sensor is pointing. So think of Sunu Band as a flashlight that uses sound instead of light. Just as the flashlight, the direction you aim the sonar sensor is where you will detect objects’ presence. For instance, to know what is on the sides, move your arm to the side to scan the surroundings. You feel vibrations in your wrist that indicate how close or far you are from an obstacle.

Vibrations adjust when an object is detected within personal space; here’s an idea of what the mean:

• No vibration pulses: It means that no obstacles are detected; this also means that there is a clear path, and you can continue walking.
• Intermittent vibration pulses: It means that the object that was detected is far enough away. You can continue to approach the obstacle or go around it without problems.
• Moderate vibration pulses: It means that the detected object is now closer. You can go around it or continue to approach it with caution.
• Constant vibrations:​ The object is now within your personal space.

Click here to access Mobility Exercises