Wearable system aids visually impaired

(USA)

A wearable system developed by scientists in America helps visually impaired people better navigate the world around them.

Incorporating a 3D camera, a braille interface and a vibration belt, the system – created by researchers from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) – could transform the lives of the visually impaired.

An algorithm used to identify surfaces from the 3D camera passes key information to users. Vibrations provide instructions, such as a chair finding function, with a double pulse indicating where to go. In tests this slashed the numbers of objects touched before reaching the chair they wanted by 80%.