Modular Low Cost Braille Electronic Display (MOLBED)

Refreshable braille displays, according to the American Foundation for the Blind, “provide access to information on a computer screen by electronically raising and lowering different combinations of pins in braille cells.” While certainly helpful, the price of these devices can range from $3,500 to $15,000, representing a real barrier to getting these in the hands of those that need them.

Davide Marin (AKA “madaeon") however, has come up with an open source display method known as Modular Low Cost Braille Electronic Display, or MOLBED. It is designed to be easy to prototype or to scale up, and in production his device could be put together with 8 lines of 10 characters each for an estimated price of around $2,200. Though still not trivial, the theoretical price is still quite good compared to existing options, it and could be customized in a wide variety of ways.

As shown below, the prototype employs a small PCB for each character, consisting of six dots that are lifted up by tiny electromagnets. Two small magnets are inserted into the 3D-printed inner section, which travels up to indicate a dot. Steel nuts on the top and bottom of the display cause the dots to stay place, even when power is not applied to the electromagnet.

While currently only a single character, Marin has come up with a braille tablet concept with a docking station and printer. For now, check out the demo in the video below, implemented as an Arduino Uno shield.