Now, blindness and partial-sight have become the targets of a new wave of technology designed to help people maximize their sight potential, and to improve life for those who have limited or no ability to see.
Here are 3 of the best.
AI Glasses
In Mexico, at the Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, they have designed a pair of smart glasses that far surpasses the hopes of any that Google might devise.
Using AI (artificial intelligence), ultrasound techniques, and computational geometry, they have designed a lightweight, comfortable pair of glasses that appear almost commonplace. They run on batteries, contain stereo sound sensors, GPS navigation, and enable sight basically by acting as a proxy.
The AI can differentiate a US dollar from a Peso, tell colors apart, read important street signs, and actively learns to recognize the objects in encounters and the places it goes. Thanks to ultrasound technology, it can even prevent the wearer from walking through a glass door. Something most human eyes can’t even do reliably.
Smart Glasses
A similar project is in the works at the University of Oxford, where scientists are attempting to device glasses that will allow individuals with minimal sight to navigate a landscape more easily.
Focused on the large percentage of blind individuals who still have some vision, however meger, the Oxford glasses are like something Inspector Gadget might appreciate. Composed of a compass, GPS, headphone, and gyroscope with small cameras and OLED displays, these glasses are uber high tech, they even boast 3D printed frames.
Braille Reader
Since the 60s the practice of reading braille has been on the decline, but the importance of reading braille for blind people has been studied and determined to have a significant impact on their inclusion in society.
So, one group took it upon themselves to devise a product that could activate braille dots on the surface of an ereader or tablet, using some infrared and thermo-hydraulic technology.
By enabling the blind to read anything, not just items specifically published in braille, the ereader could revolutionize access to information for millions of people.
Looking forward
If technology can be so well used to improve lives and ease burdens, then it’s important to prioritize such advancements before utilizing technology to save money and slash overhead. We run the risk of limiting how much good technology can do in the lives of everyone when we think only in terms of financial gain
