Ear Sonar

Ear Sonar is an accessibility app that helps people who are blind or have low vision sense nearby space. It uses the iPhone’s rear LiDAR to scan what’s ahead, then turns that depth into spatial audio—or haptics—so you can “hear” the environment.

What you can hear • Distance: nearer sounds arrive sooner, denser, or higher in pitch; farther sounds are sparser and lower • Direction: binaural spatial audio places objects to your left or right • Shape cues: flat walls, slopes, and gaps create distinct sonic rhythms

Four sensing modes • Echolocation: row-by-row pings outline space like sonar returns • Pitch sonar: a rising scan line encodes distance as pitch in real time • Continuous sonar: a fixed center line for a live depth profile while you walk • Haptic sonar: vibration timing encodes distance—no headphones required

Semantic markers Optionally detect people, vehicles, dogs, chairs, tables, doors, and more, then announce them in stereo from their real-world direction. All processing stays on device; nothing is uploaded.

Tips • Stereo headphones are recommended (Apple headphones with head tracking and spatial audio work best); haptic mode can be used without headphones • Full VoiceOver support, including gestures and the rotor • Requires an iPhone with LiDAR (iPhone 12 Pro and later Pro models) • This is an assistive tool—not a replacement for a cane, guide dog, or your own judgment when traveling

Open the app and start hearing space. Camera preview is on by default so sighted helpers can see what’s being scanned.

To keep the experience focused, the app intentionally avoids UI that isn’t essential to core sensing. Questions or suggestions: ninerwong@outlook.com