11Dec/16Off
AR for the blind thru vibrations and sounds
The Indra-Adecco Foundation Chair of Research into Accessible Technologies at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) is developing an augmented reality application which will give people with visual handicaps information about their surroundings,via vibrations and sounds on their smartphone.
The UPM’s Centre of Biomedical Technology is responsible for carrying out this e-Glance project, and sources at the university say it is a tool to help people with sight problems actively explore what is around them as if it were ‘an extended walking stick,” directing their attention to specific areas outside their reach. It will also be useful for those whose hearing or memory are inadequate.
With the aim of exploring possible further uses of this tool, and analysing the best way of integrating it effectively into the world of work, users and the principal potential beneficiaries have been invited to participate in the project. This includes the Centre for Research and Development of Tiflotechnic Applications (CIDAT), which is part of the ONCE organisation for the blind in Spain.
“Thanks to e-Glance, people who can’t see will find it easier to get to their places of work and they will be able to cope more independently. That is positive for them and for the company,” says a spokesperson at the UPM.
At the same time, the new app will considerably reduce the stress which can be caused by a lack of vision, because those with restricted sight have to pay very close attention to details. It will also increase their self-confidence by making them more independent.