TAMI
User Guide
Contents
Product description
TAMI Is an assistive mobility eyewear device designed and engineered to assist people who are blind or visually impaired. It aims to enhance users’ confidence, spatial awareness, and mobility by helping to avoid obstacles above the waist, an area unprotected by the white cane. It alerts the user of obstacles in their path by means of a haptic vibration. TAMI senses the presence of obstacles with 60GHz radar technology. Information is relayed to the user, offering insights into both the location and proximity of potential hazards.
The radar sensors are enclosed in the temples of the eyewear, oriented slightly outward and downward to scan the area ahead. A haptic vibrating motor, positioned at the back of the temple above the ear (temple tip) provides tactile feedback. The radar obstacle detection system offers a full horizontal field of view of approximately 120 degrees and a full vertical field of view of 60 degrees.
Benefits of using TAMI
TAMI is designed to enhance the mobility, spatial awareness, and independence of individuals living with blindness or visual impairments. Users can expect real-time information about the presence, position, and proximity of potential obstacles in their environment while using the device. The benefits of this information include increased confident navigation in both indoor and outdoor settings, reduced risk of collisions, and increased overall safety. Users may benefit from a greater sense of autonomy.
Package contents
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Y-Charging cable with magnetic connectors
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Protective eyewear case
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Microfiber cloth eyewear pouch
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TAMI® device
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Microfiber eyewear cleaning cloth
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User guide
Device overview
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Radar sensors
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Speaker
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Magnetic charging ports
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Push buttons
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Vibrating haptic motors
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Eyewear front
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Lenses
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Rubberized temple tips
Main view
Bottom view
Performance characteristics
Parameter | Value range |
|---|---|
Humidity range | 10-80% |
Altitude range | 0 to 2000 meters above sea level |
Atmospheric pressure range | 86 – 106 kPa |
Weight | 60 g |
Plastic cover materials | TR90, rubberized temple tips and push buttons |
Power consumption @3.75V | Idle: 0.375 mW. Ranging without feedback: 112.5 mW. Ranging with feedback: 157.5 mW |
Lenses | CR39 UV400 |
Current @3.75V | Idle: 100µA. Ranging without feedback: 30mA. Ranging with feedback: 42mA |
Temperature range | Storage: -20 / +40 °C. Charging: 0 / +40 °C. Operating: -10 / +40 °C |
Operating voltage range | 3.4V – 4.2V |
Power supply voltage | 3.7V Nominal |
Device storage
TAMI should be stored in a dry environment within the maximum and minimum temperature and humidity limits listed below:
Storage period | Temperature | Relative humidity | Battery percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
Recommended storage | 15°C to 35°C | ≤ 80% RH | 30% – 50% |
Long term (>3 months) | -10°C to +40°C | ≤ 85% RH | 30% – 50% |
Short term (< 1 month) | -20°C to +40°C | ≤ 85% RH | 30% – 50% |
During storage, the battery should be maintained at a state of charge between 30% and 50%. It must not be left fully discharged (0%) or fully charged (100%), as this may damage the battery and reduce its lifespan. If stored for extended periods, it is recommended to recharge the battery every six months.
Device operation
TAMI is equipped with two push buttons; each located on the top, front-end of each temple. Buttons can be used interchangeably to turn the device on and off, to change feedback modes, and to check the device’s battery level.
Turning the device ON and OFF
To turn the device on and off, long press the button on either temple for one second. A chime sound from both temples confirms that the glasses are ON or OFF. Release the button. If ON, the eyewear temples will immediately start to vibrate if you are near an obstacle.
Checking the battery level during use
Battery level may be checked while in use with a double button press. One chime indicates battery level below one-thirds, two chimes indicate battery level between one-third and two-thirds, three chimes indicate battery level between two-thirds and 100% charged.
Charging the device
Full charging takes approximately 4 hours. On the underside of each temple, you will find a magnetic charging port (device overview, component 3).
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Plug the supplied Y-cable into a USB Type A wall adaptor or an accessory such as a laptop or power bank for charging.
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Connect the supplied Y-cable to both charging ports on the bottom of each eyewear arm.
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A chime sound from both sides indicates when the glasses have been properly plugged in.
Note: The device cannot be turned on or off while plugged in and charging.
Note: Use only a standard 5V DC USB charging adapter with a current output of 500mA to 1A (recommended). Using adapters with incorrect voltage may damage the battery. Check compliance of the adapter with IEC/UL 60950-1.
Obstacle detection with TAMI
Vibration feedback is directional:
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When an obstacle is on the left, only the left temple vibrates; for obstacles on the right, only the right temple vibrates.
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For obstacles directly ahead, both temples vibrate simultaneously.
Vibration frequency indicates obstacle proximity:
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High-frequency pulses signal nearby obstacles within the danger zone, where immediate action may be required to avoid collision.
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Low-frequency pulses signal more distant obstacles within the awareness zone, requiring situational attention but not urgent action for obstacle avoidance.
Long range / Short range mode of the device
The device may be set to two different modes using the push button on either side. These are long range mode and short-range mode.
Long range mode has longer sensor ranging thresholds to compensate for faster walking speeds not exceeding 4 km/h and spaces that are more open.
Short range mode has shorter ranging thresholds to more precisely feel the distance to obstacles in the user’s immediate space. The short range mode can be used for smaller operating spaces and slower walking speeds to minimize distracting vibration during use.
When turned on, a short button press changes the glasses settings between Long and Short range modes:
In long range mode the default awareness zone threshold is 1.7 m and the danger threshold is 1 m.
In short range mode the default awareness zone threshold is 1.2 m and the danger threshold is 0.6 m.
Press the button to cycle between operating modes. An audio chime confirms the selected mode: two short chimes indicate short-range mode (reduced detection distance), while two long chimes indicate long-range mode (extended detection distance). TAMI® defaults to the last active mode when turned on. A corresponding vibration pattern will confirm the current mode.
Note: The radar sensors do not detect objects within approximately 25 cm of the device, regardless of whether short-range or long-range mode is selected. This undetected zone may be advantageous during use, as items such as hats, hoods, umbrellas, or handheld devices positioned within this range will not trigger haptic feedback.
Device sounds during operation
TAMI has a small speaker on each arm. Sound recordings and their significance can be found below:
Title | Device function |
|---|---|
Error | |
Battery low | |
Charging complete | |
Charging | |
Long range mode | |
Short range mode | |
Ranging off | |
Ranging on |