Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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recent high school graduates working on an accessibility device, designed to help the visually impaired. (self.Blind)
submitted by Buzz_Crackle
Hey guys, we created a device for the visually impaired, and would greatly appreciate some feedback and suggestions. Our project is called "Blindsight."
Here's our elevator pitch: An armband designed to read out text, recognize objects, and give the user a better sense of their surrounding.
For example, the user can point their arm at an object and say, "Hey Blindsight, what is that in front of me?" Our mobile app will respond, "That is a bowl of cereal."
This project is a work in progress, and we would really appreciate if the community can offer us some feedback.
If you are interested, please visit this website linked below, where you will find more features of the device and more about the future of the project. It would also help us very much if you could like our project on hackster.io.
Thank you
https://www.hackster.io/team-blindsight/blindsight-virtual-eyes-through-haptic-feedback-1f0a8f/
Here's our elevator pitch: An armband designed to read out text, recognize objects, and give the user a better sense of their surrounding.
For example, the user can point their arm at an object and say, "Hey Blindsight, what is that in front of me?" Our mobile app will respond, "That is a bowl of cereal."
This project is a work in progress, and we would really appreciate if the community can offer us some feedback.
If you are interested, please visit this website linked below, where you will find more features of the device and more about the future of the project. It would also help us very much if you could like our project on hackster.io.
Thank you
https://www.hackster.io/team-blindsight/blindsight-virtual-eyes-through-haptic-feedback-1f0a8f/
EndlessReverberation 7 points 5y ago
FYI, I'm glad you already know about apps such as Tap Tap See and Seeing A I. I think you are going to have a difficult, perhaps impossible, time making the case for your product over these. If the main benefit of your idea is something to do with how one holds devices, keep this in mind. Any wearable tech product is a very hard thing to get people on board with, because something has to be extremely useful to justify wearing it on your body. I personally use apps like Seeing A I, perhaps, a few times a week; there are people who use such apps more often, but I would think the average would be something like once or twice a day. I can't imagine someone walking around with some band on if they are only going to use it a few times a day. I also can't imagine someone keeping track of, putting on, and taking off something if they can pull out their phone and get the same utility.
The above are just my own thoughts; there could be some nitch cases, such as people with vision and dexterity issues, who would find some use in your idea; realize this though, we see ideas like yours very often on here. You might want to go back to the drawing board and ask blind people what they would find useful.
The above are just my own thoughts; there could be some nitch cases, such as people with vision and dexterity issues, who would find some use in your idea; realize this though, we see ideas like yours very often on here. You might want to go back to the drawing board and ask blind people what they would find useful.
bradley22 5 points 5y ago
I agree. Although on the page I believe it does say that they asked a group of blind people.
I do agree with what you say about your phone. I use seeing AI and find it to be very useful. Yes it's slow at times and if this band could scan a lot faster I might be interested but on the other hand, seeing AI does this kind of thing already. It doesn't vibrate telling you where things are but honestly I don't think blind people need that ability in a band. I don't know about others but when I get my own place, I will know where things are, unless someone moves them but that shouldn't happen.
If the app and band was something I was shown, I'd test it but probably wouldn't buy it.
I do agree with what you say about your phone. I use seeing AI and find it to be very useful. Yes it's slow at times and if this band could scan a lot faster I might be interested but on the other hand, seeing AI does this kind of thing already. It doesn't vibrate telling you where things are but honestly I don't think blind people need that ability in a band. I don't know about others but when I get my own place, I will know where things are, unless someone moves them but that shouldn't happen.
If the app and band was something I was shown, I'd test it but probably wouldn't buy it.
Buzz_Crackle [OP] 2 points 5y ago
Thank you for the feedback, we will definitely take it into account in future iterations and future ideas. If we have any questions about this matter in the future, can we PM you?
bradley22 4 points 5y ago
This sounds interesting.
ON the page it says that apps like TapTapsee and KNFB reader are awkward to use because of the way the phone is held. What makes your band different? I mean, I'd still have to hold it over the text I'd want to read, right? I'd still have to point it at the box and angle my arm in such a way that the camera is able to see what I'm pointing at, wouldn't i?
Or will I be able to ask the band to find the box and read it to me without doing any of that?
Also, how much would this band cost along with the app?
ON the page it says that apps like TapTapsee and KNFB reader are awkward to use because of the way the phone is held. What makes your band different? I mean, I'd still have to hold it over the text I'd want to read, right? I'd still have to point it at the box and angle my arm in such a way that the camera is able to see what I'm pointing at, wouldn't i?
Or will I be able to ask the band to find the box and read it to me without doing any of that?
Also, how much would this band cost along with the app?
Buzz_Crackle [OP] 1 points 5y ago
Thanks for your interest.
What makes our band different from a mobile app is the intuitive spacial sense the user has of the arm. Correct us if we're wrong, but people have more spacial awareness of where their arm is pointed or reaching for, rather than where a camera is pointed at.
To answer your question about pointing the band, our camera has a wide field of vision. A normal smartphone camera has a field of view of 65 degrees, whereas our camera has a field of view of 160 degrees. As long as you point the band in the general direction, our camera should capture it. So yes, you can ask it to find the box and read it to you.
To answer your question about pricing, our prototype currently costs $100 to produce. The entire package, including app and band, should be around $200-500.
edit: added angles
What makes our band different from a mobile app is the intuitive spacial sense the user has of the arm. Correct us if we're wrong, but people have more spacial awareness of where their arm is pointed or reaching for, rather than where a camera is pointed at.
To answer your question about pointing the band, our camera has a wide field of vision. A normal smartphone camera has a field of view of 65 degrees, whereas our camera has a field of view of 160 degrees. As long as you point the band in the general direction, our camera should capture it. So yes, you can ask it to find the box and read it to you.
To answer your question about pricing, our prototype currently costs $100 to produce. The entire package, including app and band, should be around $200-500.
edit: added angles
bradley22 2 points 5y ago
Like I said in a previous post on here; I'll look at it if it's ever in the UK as a trial run but I doubt I'll be buying this device. I can do most of these things with my IPhone and all the apps I can do these things with are free. I understand you have to make money, you're a business selling a product but $500, that's nearly three quarters of an IPhones price from what I understand.
Yes people might know where their arm is compared to pointing a camera but why would they need this feedback? I don't get it. I mean if you were walking and trying to find a bus stop sign, I'd understand but for everyday objects I don't think we'd need it.
Have you tested this beta version with blind people?
I personally might not be buying this device but I'd be more than happy to test it and give you feedback.
Yes people might know where their arm is compared to pointing a camera but why would they need this feedback? I don't get it. I mean if you were walking and trying to find a bus stop sign, I'd understand but for everyday objects I don't think we'd need it.
Have you tested this beta version with blind people?
I personally might not be buying this device but I'd be more than happy to test it and give you feedback.
Buzz_Crackle [OP] 2 points 5y ago
I understand and we'll note of that. This project was a proof of concept that a few engineering students worked on. It's at a very early stage of development, therefore we have not begun beta testing and have not thoroughly thought out a business plan.
However, if we reach beta testing, we are more than happy to send you a unit to test.
However, if we reach beta testing, we are more than happy to send you a unit to test.
bradley22 1 points 5y ago
if you reach beta testing, i'd not mind testing a unit.
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