By Susan H. Kahn
Assistive technology for people who are blind or visually impaired is evolving rapidly and artificial intelligence (AI), integrated into so many aspects of everyday life, has been a core driver of innovation.
New systems couple computer vision with generative AI to interpret the world in real time, allowing visually impaired people to gain more independence and to better compete with sighted peers in the workforce.
Smart Glasses Lead the Way
The biggest advance has been in the development of wearable technology and accessibility features built into mainstream devices.
For those with low vision, glasses like eSight Go (esighteyewear.com/esight-go) digitally enhance remaining vision using cameras, zoom, contrast and
image processing.
Ray-Ban Meta (ray-ban.com) glasses look like conventional eyewear but have a tiny camera, speaker and microphone built into the frame. Working in conjunction with the wearer’s smart phone, these can describe surroundings, answer questions about what the camera sees, provide audio navigation help, and make hands-free calls. They can be used by a person who is blind or can be outfitted with prescription lenses for a user with low vision.
“I use the Meta glasses to read text on signs or on my computer screen, to describe a photo and to help me navigate,” says Shelby Craig, assistive technology specialist at the Cleveland Sight Center, who has been blind since birth. “They are widely popular and I find them extremely helpful.”
The cost of smart glasses currently available can vary, but RayBan Meta, ranging from $284-$499, as well as Rokid AI (global.rokid.com) glasses powered by ChatGPT and Gemini, and Agiga EchoVision Smart Glasses, (agiga.ai) both starting at $599, are among the most affordable.
There’s an App for That
Apart from wearable tech, there are numerous smartphone applications that utilize the camera feature to assist the visually impaired.
Be My Eyes (bemyeyes.com) is a free app that instantly connects the user with a sighted volunteer who can provide real-time descriptions of photos or videos and supply assistance with everyday tasks. Another option, Be My AI, utilizes artificial intelligence in place of human help to supply image and scene descriptions, along with in-depth, context-specific information.
OOrion (oorion.fr/en) is a free smartphone app that uses the phone’s camera and GPS to overlay information in the user’s field of view. It allows a visually impaired user to identify, locate and be guided to objects and text in their environment.
Microsoft Seeing AI (seeingai.com) is a free mobile app available in 33 languages for both iOS and Android phones that can read short text or full documents, describe faces and expressions, identify currency and detect color. It can even read handwriting and can be used to scan a bar code to identify product information when shopping. Other similar apps are Lookout By Google for Android and VoiceVista for iOS.
Accessibility Tech for Public Spaces
Designed to help visually impaired people navigate unfamiliar spaces independently, Navilens (navilens.com) is a color matrix barcode, similar to a simplified QR code. The Navilens code is printed on a tag that can be mounted on signage throughout public transportation systems or within buildings. With the Navilens app, a user can scan these codes (without needing to know exactly where they are) to instantaneously get the information on the printed sign. It is available in 34 languages and is currently in use throughout public transit systems in New York City and Barcelona, Spain.
ReBokeh (rebokeh.com) is a free augmented reality app designed to allow people with low vision to make the most of their functional sight. With the app on a personal device, the user can enhance what they need to view by adjusting the zoom, contrast, brightness and color in whatever way best suits their vision. An AI feature allows the user to get further verbal descriptions of the scene. It has already been adopted for use by a number of airports, museums, libraries and sports venues.
Cane travel gets smarter
Advances in cane travel for the blind have also incorporated various technologies and innovations aimed at enhancing mobility, safety and independence.
The WeWALK II Smart Cane ($1,250, wewalk.io/en) can connect to smartphones via Bluetooth to relay information and aid in navigation using GPS. It has built-in speakers and a touchpad so the user can leave his phone in his pocket. An ultrasonic sensor on the front of the handle can detect obstacles from the chest level up at a distance of 3-4 feet.
HearSee Mobility (hearseemobility.org) is a company that builds navigation infrastructure for complex public environments. Partnering with institutions to support independent movement for the visually impaired, it has developed a system of RFID (radio frequency identification) tags that can be embedded along walkways inside buildings. Employing a smart cane designed to communicate with the tags, the user can receive step-by-step audio directions to specific places as well as descriptions of their surroundings.
Training and Resources
At the Cleveland Sight Center, tech specialists like Craig evaluate clients to determine their needs, then draft individual training plans at no cost. While some new tech can be costly, funding assistance is often available through the state agency Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (ood.ohio.gov). The Sight Center (clevelandsightcenter.org) also offers financial assistance when deemed clinically necessary.