Over The Horizon

Sonar Man Victorious

Russell inventor Leslie Kay has won the inaugural Saatchi & Saatchi Innovation in Communication Award for his revolutionary sonar system that enables blind people to "see with sound" [Bat Vision in Top Awards, October 1998; Seeing with Sound, October 1995].

"There are 42 million people in the world who are blind, and many more who are only partially sighted," says Kay.

"The international interest already generated by this competition means we can continue to grow awareness of KASPA and see it benefit many more people."

Kay has spent the last 40 years developing a variety of sonar devices to aid the blind and visually impaired.

The innovation is based on underwater sonar technology Kay first developed as a scientist for the British Government during the Cold War to look for submarines and other submerged objects. Subsequently, Kay conducted much of his ground-breaking research at the University of Canterbury School of Engineering.

The Innovation in Communication Award had been the culmination of a year-long global search for innovators whose creations have the potential to profoundly transform communication between people, companies, cultures and countries. The first prize is worth US$100,000.

There were 200 entries from 27 countries.