What began as a project for a student competition may possibly result in a breakthrough for the 39 million people suffering from blindness worldwide.

Maria Pia Celestino, Viurniel Sanchez, Jesus Amundarain and Esam Mashni from Florida International University were instructed to develop a social entrepreneurship project for a business class. What the team came up with was a pair of lightweight eyeglasses capable of reading text to the blind.

 

  

 The Eyetalk Concept prototype. (Image via Eyetalk)

 

How the glasses work

The invention consists of a pair of eyeglasses, 2 Micro HD cameras, and earphone and a 4 GB Hard Drive. On either side of the eyeglasses you will find 2 Micro HD cameras to capture the images of the text. The text is then quickly processed by the 4 GB HD and software creating an immediate playback to the wearer through the earphone.

 

Using simple components, the team wishes to make this a cost-effective solution for the vision impaired.

 

 

Viurniel Sanchez modelling the functional prototype. (Image via Eytalk)

 

Impact

 

Currently, there is no affordable way for the blind to read anything. This places many limitations on their lives. Solutions such as computer software or smartphones can be very expensive and most of the solutions aren’t mobile.

The team was inspired by Michael Arbitman, a Miami computer engineer who became blind in his 20s after travelling to Asia for work. He has met with the team and is helping test the prototype.

 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), of the 1.3 million people who are blind in the United States, only 37% of them are employed.

This kind of technology can provide printed information to those without sight, making education available and more easily possible. As a result, the people suffering from the disability can become employable, as well as more independent and active members of society.

 

Story via Florida International University.

 

View the prototype demonstration below.