New Finger Camera Tech Helps Blind People Read Printed Words

For those who are visually impaired, reading usually constitutes learning an entirely new set of letters and numbers in the form of braille. It takes some time to master and even then, it can still feel like such a chore. Now, a new camera technology called the HandSight has been invented that can help blind people read printed words. This could mean they no longer need to learn braille or at least they can read while still in the process of learning.

The technology is basically a point and read system, Futurism reports, where the users would wear the device on their fingers like a ring and trace the line of words on the page. The camera will see the texts and then read them out loud.

The device also wraps around the users’ wrists for better stability where a hub is mounted. For cues when it comes to moving down or realigning the camera so that it can read the words better, the device will make an audible sound and also vibrate gently.

Researchers from the University of Maryland created the technology and published their findings in ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing. The paper mentions that 19 blind subjects already took the HandSight for a spin and the results include an average of 63 to 81 words read per minute.

In comparison, those reading using braille average 90 to 115 words every minute. Although more study needs to be done, it at least hints at faster reading for blind people that also involves fewer complications such as learning to read braille.

The researchers are hoping to build on the capabilities of the device instead of just teaching it to read words. They are also thinking about enabling it to recognize patterns, as well as colors in order to tell what kind of picture, drawing, or icon the reader is looking at.