nir-vana innovation network

The medium-sized Spanish university founded in 1994, houses 76 research groups. The university has been very active in several European reseach and innovation programmes (H2020 and previous frame programmmes, LIFE, Justice, ERASMUS+, Interreg, COST, LLP, IEE, Research Fund for Coal and Steel, D. G. for Competition Policy and Strategy, Science for Peace and Security Programme-OTAN…) with over 50 European projects; with the role of coordinator in 22 projects and over 8.4 M€ overall EU funding received. Currently, this university participates in 26 on-going projects (in 12 of them as coordinator) in 8 different EU programs with an average of 1.7 M€ of EU funding in the last 4 years.

The technology offered proposes the development of a device for a language learning system based on the use of pieces. The technology will be useful for blind or visually impaired people. The device represents an innovative structure with structural and constitutive characteristics unknown until now. This innovation allows the learning of Chinese through the western braille system (six dots). In addition, the method includes a braille book, a tactile dictionary and a support for writing the characters.

Potential applications of this utility model are as follow:
- device that allows applying a learning method for blind or visually impaired people to learn Chinese in a simple way.
- the user can translate phrases from western braille to Mandarin Chinese.

The researcher group is interested in international cooperation under manufacturing or financial agreement and/or technical cooperation agreement, with other research organization, inclusion organizations, private or public companies and/or government administrations.

In addition, the research group offers tests of new applications and/or adaptation to specific needs and the possibility of further development.

Advantages & innovations

The main innovations and advantages of this Chinese teaching method are: • Allows apply a Chinese learning method for blind or visually impaired people. • The method is written in the western braille system, so there is no need for users to learn the eastern braille system. • The use of a system of pieces facilitates the learning of Chinese. • Enhances the senses of touch and hearing.

Stage of development

Concept stage

Partner sought

Manufacturing agreement: - Type: inclusion organization, R&D institution, public or private companies - Activity: inclusion of blind or visual impaired people, language learning. - Role: funding or collaboration for the manufacture and development of the language learning system. Technical cooperation agreement: - Type: inclusion organization, R&D institution, public or private companies - Activity: inclusion of blind or visual impaired people, language learning. - Role: collaboration for the improvement and development of the language learning system. Financial agreement: - Type: inclusion organization, R&D institution, public or private companies - Activity: inclusion of blind or visual impaired people, language learning. - Role: economic financing for the manufacture and development of the language learning system.