A schoolgirl from the Zhytomyr region has created a smart bracelet for the blind
Oleksandra Maksymenko, a student from the Zhytomyr region, has developed a smart bracelet that can help people with visual impairments navigate their surroundings. In addition, the 14-year-old inventor presented another of her own creations—a laser toy for kittens. Her project received an award at a national competition.
Oleksandra Maksymenko attends the Yosypivka Gymnasium in the Zhytomyr region. She created the smart bracelet, which received an award at a national competition, entirely on her own.
This bracelet helps people with visual impairments navigate better. It alerts the wearer to obstacles ahead using an ultrasonic sensor.
“There is a button on the strap of the bracelet that turns it on. If a person with visual impairment or partial vision loss encounters an obstacle, such as a desk or table, a special sensor emits an audible signal. This is important for people who cannot determine the safety of their movement without outside help,” said the young inventor.
High school teacher Arkady Petrovsky noted that Oleksandra Maksymenko received an award at the All-Ukrainian competition for the defense of research projects by students—members of the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine—thanks to her invention.
Oleksandra Maksymenko decided to create a bracelet for the blind when she learned that they cost thousands of hryvnias. The student purchased all the necessary components on her own and made the bracelet.
“Actually, it was our joint idea. We wanted to help people who have lost their sight completely or partially. We thought about it, looked online to see what similar designs already existed. We were interested in an ultrasonic bracelet for people with visual impairments or partial vision loss. But when we saw the price—it cost at least 26,000 hryvnias—Oleksandra decided to make the bracelet herself. She gathered the components online and made her own, significantly cheaper version,” said Arkady Petrovsky.
Oleksandra Maksymenko also created a laser toy for kittens. This invention also received an award at a national competition.
“Inside the box is an Arduino board (an open-source platform for creating electronic devices—‘Glavkom’). On top are wires and a laser that rotate. Specifically, the laser rotates, projecting light onto the walls, floor, and ceiling. The kitten sees this light, shows interest, and starts playing,” the girl explained.
Currently, Oleksandra Maksymenko is working with her computer science teacher, Arkadiy Petrovsky, on a new project. The student plans to present her new invention at the Junior Academy of Sciences competition in 2027.
“We want to build an automated system in our high school’s storage room that will count how many students and staff members entered and how many left. The results will be displayed on a large monitor. That’s the idea we have. I’ve revealed it. We’ve already started working on it. We’ve purchased the components for the Arduino,” said the teacher.
This was reported by Suspilne Zhytomyr.
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