AiSee wearable tells blind users what they’re holding in their hand

There are many situations in which blind people don’t necessarily have to see what they’re holding, they just need it described to them. An experimental new wearable device, known as AiSee, is designed to do that very thing.Continue ReadingCategory: We… Continue reading AiSee wearable tells blind users what they’re holding in their hand

App uses a smartphone’s camera to guide the blind to bus stops

While there are already apps that guide blind users to a bus stop’s approximate GPS coordinates, those people may unknowingly end up standing too far away from the actual stop. A new app addresses that shortcoming, by letting the smartphone’s camera in… Continue reading App uses a smartphone’s camera to guide the blind to bus stops

Fintin offers a non-braille alternative for blind smartphone users

While blind people are able to enter text into computers via braille keyboards, their options are more limited when it comes to using smartphones while on the go. The Fintin V1 is designed to help, by compressing a full QWERTY keyboard into just six ke… Continue reading Fintin offers a non-braille alternative for blind smartphone users

Student-designed system could allow the blind to play table tennis

Table tennis is one of those sports that most people would likely assume is simply unplayable by the blind. An Australian student, however, is now using cameras and speakers to get unsighted individuals in on the ping pong action.Continue ReadingCatego… Continue reading Student-designed system could allow the blind to play table tennis

Video-to-sound tech allows blind people to recognize faces

Neuroscientists have shown that blind people recognize basic faces using the same brain regions as sighted people – even if the face shapes are delivered as audio rather than through the visual cortex – in an interesting look into neuroplasticity.Conti… Continue reading Video-to-sound tech allows blind people to recognize faces

GUIDi belt uses computer vision and haptics to guide the blind

The traditional white cane may never become completely obsolete, but there certainly are a number of devices that could give it a run for its money. One of the latest is the GUIDi, which guides blind users via cameras and buzzers on a belt.Continue Rea… Continue reading GUIDi belt uses computer vision and haptics to guide the blind

Bat-inspired glasses help the blind & vision-impaired ‘see’ using sound

Inspired by bats’ use of echolocation, researchers have developed smart glasses that transform visual information into unique sound representations that enhance the ability of blind and vision-impaired people to navigate their surroundings. The technol… Continue reading Bat-inspired glasses help the blind & vision-impaired ‘see’ using sound

NextGuide cane guides blind users via a pointer under their thumb

Blind people using white canes are limited in how fast they can walk, as they have to wait for the tip of their cane to hit obstacles before going around them. The NextGuide cane is different, in that it preemptively steers users around obstacles that … Continue reading NextGuide cane guides blind users via a pointer under their thumb

New kit beams images straight onto the retina from Sony camera

In an effort to help vision-impaired people enjoy taking photographs, Sony has paired with QD Laser to create a retinal projection camera kit. By bypassing the outer layers of the eyes, the kit allows those who would otherwise have difficulty doing so … Continue reading New kit beams images straight onto the retina from Sony camera

OneButtonPIN app buzzes fingers to help blind users unlock their phone

Entering passcodes on smartphones can be difficult for the blind, as they can’t see the screen, nor can they tell if someone else is peeking at it. The OneButtonPIN app is designed to help, by utilizing vibrations instead of visuals.Continue ReadingCat… Continue reading OneButtonPIN app buzzes fingers to help blind users unlock their phone