Tikk-Tekk Rainbow

Remember when we were kids, we used to point out two fingers to measure our surrounding objects. We held the position and compared with our friends, having great fun. However, such pleasure could hardly be enjoyed by the visually impaired, nor do they share the same sense of space or distance as we do.

Tikk-Tekk Rainbow is a low-cost universal measuring tool between finger tips. Apart from printed digits and embossed Braille, the “Tikk, tikk… tekk!” knocking feedback is handy for everybody, and is also pleasant to play with. At the precision of 1cm, the string extends 100cm, enough for daily use.


Tikk-Tekk Rainbow consists of two parts. They are magnetically connected, which is easy for a blind people to organize and carry when after use.


Tikk-Tekk Rainbow is very easy to use and carry around in your pocket.


The problems when using a typical tape ruler.


Tikk-Tekk Rainbow design details.


A video introducing the design challenges and the solution.

Comments (8)

  • avatar xiami says:

    i like this one
    just shows your attention to the blind, very kind~

    ps: oh my poor english….

  • avatar percychang says:

    Is it possible to use infrared ranging instead of that thread? Of cause, the infrared ranging is onle suitable for straight-line distance’s measure …

  • Yes percychang, we could just get a straight-line result if we used infrared. Plus, infrared is directional, which means the user might need to adjust the emitter and reciever’s angles on his/her two fingers to get it work properly. This could be an annoying problem on the usability.

    Bluetooth might be a better replacement for infrared. The distance is determined through the decay of signal. However, it is till not practical on a daily tool like this, since battery is required. And with battery, you have to think about recharge and disposal.

    In fact, the goal of this project is to design an affordable and easy-to-carry unversial measuring tool. I believe in this design the most important point for a blind person is the tactile feedback, which is direct and intuitive. That is why I decided to go low-tech and play with a rainbow thread:-)

  • avatar percychang says:

    Oh, I obtain a lot from your description :)

  • avatar ye says:

    The video is sweet…
    Can you tell me what kind of software is needed to make the vedio out?

  • Hi ye, thanks, I used Flash to make this video.

  • avatar Angella Sten says:

    Merely wanna input on few general points, The site design is perfect, the topic material is rattling superb : D.

  • avatar ÿþM says:

    Thanks for another informative site. Where else could I get that kind of information written in such an ideal way? I have a project that I’m just now working on, and I have been on the look out for such information.

Reply to ye