Blindness is a severe problem affecting worldwide. In Europe, these numbers increase to 6.9 million and 246 million, respectively.
Eyesynth: Glasses for the blind that transform your surroundings into sound
New technologies can make life easier for the blind. And a European-funded company from Castellón, called Eyesynth, is creating artificial vision glasses to help people with vision problems.
Glasses for the blind that translate the world
The key to the invention lies in 3D cameras. These lenses are continually capturing what’s around us. And a microcomputer, connected to the wired glasses, processes those images. The result is that the glasses tell us through audio what is around us. Although the lenses don’t speak any language, we know of.
What they emit through bone conduction is an “abstract sound,” a kind of white noise. This sound changes the position, size and shape of our surroundings change. That has an additional advantage: as it is a non-verbal language, anyone can use it no matter what language they speak. It also allows the glasses to be sold in any country.
Eyesynth Specifications
The frame can be made of aluminum, acetate or plastic. The lenses can be opaque or graduated, and the cameras are high-brightness. The enclosed computer has an ARM processor and a 5,500 mAh battery, which promises 8 hours of continuous operation. Also, they will receive updates with new features.
Eyesynth claims that its patented and proprietary algorithm allows for “an unprecedented level of detail.” They are even developing a neurological study that analyzes the possible neural connections that the use of glasses generates.
It’s not a cheap device, though. The reservation of one unit alone costs €499, which will be deducted from the final price of €1,695. That’s only with the first 100 units. The standard rate for Eyesynth glasses will be €2,420. An expensive product, but one that can change many lives if you do what you promise.