New Device Lets People Who Are Blind “See” in Infrared

There may be a new Daredevil in Hell's Kitchen soon. While the superhero character relies on hearing, taste and electrical impulses to see because he is blind, other people with low vision may soon have access to a new pair of goggles that uses infrared technology to assist in navigating the world around them.

New research on their 3D camera and Haptic feedback armband was published by the Technical University of Munich in Germany.

The pair wrote in their study that visually impaired people face a constant challenge of navigation. The cane is the most common tool they have. The cane can detect objects in the user's immediate vicinity, but it can't detect obstacles further away.

A small computer uses a pair of cameras to create a map of the surrounding area, using a 3D-printed prototype goggles. The goggles work even in the dark. The setup uses a grid that vibrates to help users understand how close objects are. If a user walks towards an obstacle, the intensity of the respective actuators increases.

Volunteers enjoyed as much as 98 percent accuracy in the testing. The participants were able to complete the obstacle route in the first run. They all improved after three runs.

Zahn and Khan often use Microsoft's Kinect, a motion-detection system that adds additional features to Xbox games, as a point of reference. Both are confident that their setup and camera will be smaller and cheaper than a Kinect.

It is an intriguing idea for people with low vision. Some rely on apps where volunteers describe the item they are holding, and some give a general description of items in the room. The fact that it doesn't use headphones or block out other senses makes it sound pretty sweet. It should come to market soon.

The future of augmented reality eyewear is not too far away.

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