OpenBraille Slate
Refreshable 40-cell electromagnetic Braille display engineered for under $75 BOM to replace $3,000 commercial assistive readers.
About
Tactile reading devices are priced out of reach for 99% of blind students in the developing world. OpenBraille uses micro-solenoid latches and recycled 3D printer filament to make literacy universally affordable.
Squad leads
Zoya KhanDesigning tactile dot spacing compliant with international Braille standards.
Resources & bill of materials
| Item | Qty | Specification | Est. Cost | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMD Micro Solenoids | 320 | 5V miniature pull solenoid | ₹40,000 | Funded |
Updates
OpenBraille Slate v2 functional prototype assembled with recycled PLA
We just assembled the first 40-cell tactile display prototype using custom 3D printed mechanical latches and miniature 5V solenoids. BOM cost came out to $68.40 per unit — well below our $75 target! Tactile pin retention was verified across 25,000 actuation cycles without mechanical fatigue.
Open roles
Tactile Latch Firmware Engineer
Minimize pulse draw across 40 pin cells on battery operation.
Assistive UX Researcher
Conduct feedback sessions with schools for the blind.