Lecturer from the Department of Material and Metallurgical Engineering, Azzah Dyah Pramata ST MT MEng PhD, who is part of the team, when helping people practice on how to use a sound-based thermometer

ITS Campus, ITS News – Everyone has the right to receive an equal and proper education, including those with special limitations. Based on this, one of the Community Service (Abmas) teams of Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) succeeded in providing a breakthrough by designing a sound-based thermometer as a practicum tool for blind students in measuring temperature.

One of the lecturers from the Department of Material and Metallurgical Engineering, Azzah Dyah Pramata ST MT MEng PhD, explained that when this thermometer is used, it can automatically generate sound according to the temperature of the test results. So that the person doing the test only needs to listen to the sound from the thermometer.

For a blind person, this thermometer will really help them in taking temperature measurements, especially for a student who is blind. “So that all students can get the same access in learning,” stated the lecturer who had received the Young Female Researcher Award from the Japanese Government.

A student from the ITS Material and Metallurgical Engineering Department, Adzon Nugraha Rizky Pratama, when presenting about sound-based thermometers

The working principle, continued Azzah, is that the sensor on the thermometer will detect the temperature within the range of 0-100 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, the Arduino device will give commands to activate the sound according to the detected temperature.

This lecturer who graduated from Kumamoto University, Japan, also said that there are many aspects that must be considered in designing this thermometer. “Apart from safety, the ergonomics side is very important in the design,” ientified Azzah.

Since users cannot see, Azzah explained that each button is made as simple as possible and has a different shape. This will make it easier for them to distinguish their function when groped. In addition, the thermometer body is also made of recycled polymer which is processed using a three-dimensional printer.

Sound-based thermometer specifically designed to assist the experiments of blind students

Currently, the thermometer has been tested at the Special Secondary School A (SMPLB-A), the Education Foundation for Blind Children (YPAB) Surabaya. In the future, Azzah hopes that the process can be sustainable in supporting the educational curriculum for the blind.

Meanwhile, the Principal of SMPLB-A YPAB Surabaya, Drs. Eko Purwanto, admitted that he was helped by the thermometer. The reason is, students who are blind so far are still using a mercury thermometer which must be assisted by other people to see the results of their measurements. “With this (thermometer), they are now able to take note of their own measurements,” he concluded. (sof/ory/ITS Public Relations)

(from left) Azzah Dyah Pramata ST MT MEng PhD when handing over a token of appreciation to the Principal of SMPLB-A YPAB Surabaya, Drs Eko Purwanto

Contact person of the resource person:

Azzah Dyah Pramata HP. 0817041983683