An industrial design student has found a solution for all those who stroll while glued to Facebook and Twitter, oblivious to where they are going.
“The Third Eye” by Minwook Paeng will automatically activate when users look down at their phones, detecting any obstacles in their path.
Minwook developed his device with the goal of earning a degree in Innovative Design Engineering at the Royal College of Art and the Royal College in London.
This robotic eye will allow “addicted” social media users to venture outside without the fear of bumping into lampposts or other people.
Minwook told Dezeen: “Smartphones have infiltrated modern life so deeply that we cannot deny the rise of phono sapiens.”
Instead of trying to change human nature, he argues that we should accept that phones are now a part of us, and the focus should be on developing technology to make this less harmful.
This device uses ultrasonic sensors to detect distance.
His third eye will observe obstacles to prevent embarrassing accidents. “The black component that looks like a pupil is an ultrasonic sensor to detect distance,” he explained.
“When there is an obstacle in front of the user, the ultrasonic sensor will detect it and alert the user through a connected vibration device,” he added.
He further noted that continuous phone usage not only puts us at risk of collisions on sidewalks but also damages our skeletal structure.
He stated: “Due to improper smartphone usage, our cervical vertebrae are leaning forward, causing ‘tech neck’, and our pinky fingers, which we place on the phone, will also become bent.”
“As a few generations pass,” Minwook continued, “these small changes from smartphone usage will accumulate and create a completely new form of humanity.”
Minwook expressed hope that his design project, even if it does not come to fruition, will serve as a reminder of the consequences we will face when overly dependent on smartphones.
“I hope this device can help people reflect on themselves,” he said.
