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Product and Technology

Calgary Transit looking to provide ‘tactile maps’ for riders with vision loss

Thu, 07/17/2014 - 12:36 -- nikita.jain

 
 
Calgary is seeking a “design and prototype” of tactile-map technology to help people with visual impairments navigate the city’s transit system.
“We’re looking for something that can be handheld, easily distributed through our customer-service centre, and potentially through the CNIB,” said Chris Jordan, manager of strategic planning with Calgary Transit.
The idea came from citizen feedback during the city’s RouteAhead transit planning process.

Microsoft’s smart ‘Alice band’ could help visually impaired navigate outside

Thu, 07/17/2014 - 12:26 -- nikita.jain

Microsoft is working with charity Guide Dogs for the Blind, to develop a Google Glass-like wearable that will help the visually impaired get around in crowded places including the public transport.
As reported by The Daily Mail, the device resembles the Alice Band and uses an earpiece for navigation instructions. It works by bouncing information from sensors mounted on any item such as buildings or train carriages to a receiver in the wearer’s headband. The user is able to receive personalised instructions, such as how to get to the airport on time if a train is delayed.

Lord of the smart ring

Tue, 05/20/2014 - 12:32 -- nikita.jain

How would people react when they saw someone walking on the road, talking to themselves, tapping their fingers onto thin air and making weird gestures that no one could understand? Anyone would assume they were crazy. But in Kochi, Kerala, the 20-something group of youngsters at RHL Vision, headed by N. Rohildev, would be beaming. They would ask us to observe the supposedly crazy people further, and notice the tiny “ring” on their finger or as they call it the Fin.

The world's first' Braille phone for visually-impaired people goes on sale

Mon, 05/19/2014 - 11:36 -- nikita.jain

OwnFone, a London-based company, claims to have put the world's first Braille phone, which costs just 60 pounds, for sale in UK. The phone has been designed to provide an instant connection between blind users and their friends and family, its manufacturers said. The front and back of the phone, which is currently only available in the UK, is constructed using 3D printing techniques and can be customised. The company can even print raised text on the keypad for those who can not read Braille.
 

Echo-Sense CheckMates Network Glasses Launch Wearables for Blind & Visually Impaired at CSUN 29th Annual International Technology & Person with Disabilities Conference

Thu, 05/01/2014 - 13:24 -- nikita.jain

Echo-Sense CheckMates Network Glasses Launch Wearables for Blind & Visually Impaired at CSUN 29th Annual International Technology & Person with Disabilities Conference

Wearables for the Visually Impaired & Blind all the Rage in the CSUN Exhibit Hall. Assistive Technology manufacturers from around the world featured their wares.

Revel Systems unveils iPad-based POS features for the visually impaired

Thu, 05/01/2014 - 12:52 -- nikita.jain

Revel Systems, a provider of iPad POS solutions, has announced a new hardware and software product bundle aimed at providing technology features for the visually impaired. The inherent touchscreen features of iPad POS terminals are without tactile qualities, making them not fully accessible and independently usable by the visually impaired. Revel's new accessibility bundle allows its merchants and customers of restaurants, grocery stores, retailers and quick-serve establishments, to easily use Revel's platform, according to a company release.

Android and iOS apps to help visually impaired find venues, people nearby

Wed, 04/30/2014 - 14:47 -- nikita.jain

For the visually impaired, navigating through neighborhoods can be a struggle, but apps aim to shed light on places, people, and obstacles that lie in their paths.

There are 285 million visually impaired people worldwide, about 39 million of whom are blind, according to the World Health Organization.

Guide Dots, a free app for Android, detects a person’s location and uses audio voice-overs to announce nearby attractions, including restaurants, shops – and even friends.

Apps help the visually impaired find venues, people nearby

Wed, 04/30/2014 - 14:04 -- nikita.jain

For the visually impaired, navigating through neighborhoods can be a struggle, but apps aim to shed light on places, people, and obstacles that lie in their paths.

There are 285 million visually impaired people worldwide, about 39 million of whom are blind, according to the World Health Organisation.

Digital Braille: Helping the visually impaired get digital

Tue, 04/22/2014 - 11:02 -- nikita.jain

Who knew a trip to a blind school would have the potential of completely changing the future of blind technology.
 
When 23 year old Rakshith visited an institution for the blind in his city of Bangalore,he was shocked at how difficult learning was for the visually impaired, specially the beginners for whom each lesson was torturous.
 

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