The London-based team of Vision Technologies introduces
GiveVision, smart glasses which will improve the capability of people with
blindness. These smart glasses are supported by advanced detection technology,
offer flexibility, freedom, and potentially transform the lives of millions of
people into better lives.
GiveVision secret lies in a combination of hardware and
software. The Glasses save a series of small cameras that are capable of identifying
almost all things such as refrigerator, bush stop, and even food packaging.
After 'reading' the objects, GiveVision will immediately give verbal
description through application, and then channeled through earphones to the
ears. One area where GiveVision will be very useful is exploration.
This device will ensure the user won't get lost, help
finding an empty seat on the bus, and facilitate navigation at the railway
station. Amazingly, GiveVision can recognize face, not only the name, it can also
deliver information about job, previous meeting, and others. All user needs to
do is mention the person's name.
GiveVision works with the software that's created by Vision Technologies;
it's able to analyze the images in realtime. Armed with this technology, the
people with blindness don't need to worry when they want to shop in a
super-market. GiveVision can tell the location of the entrance, get to know the
products, read the prices and the bills, seek the cart and cashier.
And not only that, user doesn't need to buy special book
that's written in Braille, simply point the finger to the text and then the
GiveVision will immediately read it for the user. This capability could be
implemented for other purposes such as to know the signs on the road. It's
likely this new system is compatible only with English words. Then for people
with visual impairment, GiveVision will also give a help by utilizing the zoom
feature.
In the initial trial period, GiveVision took advantage of
Google Glass, but now the prototype unit uses Vuzix M100 and Lumus DK-40. The
service will be presented in a subscription basis, from £ 50 to £ 75 (US $
77-155) per month.