Handhelds Give the Blind insight

We have featured several innovations and gadgetries which involves making the lives of those who are physically blind more convenient. Some talked of seeing machines for the blind, and there is one that says robotics could cure blindness. Now to add to the list of possible solutions is a method of seeing by making use of sounds.

The technology is part of a wave of software and hardware which has evolved as laptops, mobile phones and PDAs converge into powerful handheld computers running common operating systems such as Windows Mobile 5.0 or the RIM Blackberry platform.

One good example of this innovation is the “seeing by sound technology”, a brainchild of Dutch scientist Peter Meijer. What it does is configures signals from a video camera processed via computer into a series of sounds. To the untrained ear it sounds like a series of roars hisses and bleeps, but with a little time users begin to discern shapes and shadows based on the texture and density of the soundscape.

You may think that this one is a hoax, but there are actual blind users who have said that this technology made them “see” distinct shapes such as that of a coke bottle, a soccer and a rugby ball. Another user mentioned that now, when she’s doing her groceries, she can now distinguish red and green peppers. These may mean peanuts to us people who are fortunate to have a good pair of seeing eyes, but to the blind, these are big deals.

Before the “seeing by sound technology” was designed for stationary use only since it operates on desktop computers. But now due to technological advaces such as smartphones and PDAs, handheld devices can now help the blind in going on with his/ her  daily life with less hassles. A good example is Marcia Cumming, a technical writer, uses an iPaq 4150 to run Trekker and Maestro software from L.A.-based Humanware. Maestro is a mobile software which reads documents to her, such as any notes she types into her mobile device or the text in documents. She can also download talking books, which are then digitally enhanced with chapter guides and bookmarks.

Also, she now has the ability to navigate in almost any city using Trekker, a Ground Positioning Satellite (GPS)-linked software. Trekker takes widely available mapping software one step further for the blind. It voices her location, points of interest and gives directions. Indeed, it’s always a good thing when technological advancements can alleviate the lives of some of the physically challenged.

Via Globe and Mail

We have featured several innovations and gadgetries which involves making the lives of those who are physically blind more convenient. Some talked of seeing machines for the blind, and there is one that says robotics could cure blindness. Now to add to the list of possible solutions is a method of seeing by making use of sounds.

The technology is part of a wave of software and hardware which has evolved as laptops, mobile phones and PDAs converge into powerful handheld computers running common operating systems such as Windows Mobile 5.0 or the RIM Blackberry platform.

One good example of this innovation is the “seeing by sound technology”, a brainchild of Dutch scientist Peter Meijer. What it does is configures signals from a video camera processed via computer into a series of sounds. To the untrained ear it sounds like a series of roars hisses and bleeps, but with a little time users begin to discern shapes and shadows based on the texture and density of the soundscape.

You may think that this one is a hoax, but there are actual blind users who have said that this technology made them “see” distinct shapes such as that of a coke bottle, a soccer and a rugby ball. Another user mentioned that now, when she’s doing her groceries, she can now distinguish red and green peppers. These may mean peanuts to us people who are fortunate to have a good pair of seeing eyes, but to the blind, these are big deals.

Before the “seeing by sound technology” was designed for stationary use only since it operates on desktop computers. But now due to technological advaces such as smartphones and PDAs, handheld devices can now help the blind in going on with his/ her  daily life with less hassles. A good example is Marcia Cumming, a technical writer, uses an iPaq 4150 to run Trekker and Maestro software from L.A.-based Humanware. Maestro is a mobile software which reads documents to her, such as any notes she types into her mobile device or the text in documents. She can also download talking books, which are then digitally enhanced with chapter guides and bookmarks.

Also, she now has the ability to navigate in almost any city using Trekker, a Ground Positioning Satellite (GPS)-linked software. Trekker takes widely available mapping software one step further for the blind. It voices her location, points of interest and gives directions. Indeed, it’s always a good thing when technological advancements can alleviate the lives of some of the physically challenged.

Via Globe and Mail