Assistive technology is changing rapidly, which is great - it means progress is being made to help more people with disabilities live life to the fullest. But, it can be hard to keep up with all the updates. That's why First Aid for the Blind has compiled a short list of technology updates that are important for the blind and visually impaired community.
Seeing AI Gets a Facelift
In its latest update, Seeing AI has introduced significant interface changes to enhance user experience and streamline access to its features. The app is now organized into three primary tabs:
Read: This tab consolidates the functionalities of the previous short text, document, and handwriting channels. Users can quickly access tools to read text as it appears in front of the camera, capture printed pages with audio guidance, and recognize handwritten content.
Describe: Combining the former scene and person channels, this section offers rich descriptions of surroundings or photos stored on the device. Users can take photos to receive detailed narratives, ask specific questions about the images, and explore photos by touch to understand the location of different objects.
More: This tab provides access to all other task-specific channels, including product recognition, currency identification, color detection, light detection, and the world channel for exploring environments using Audio Augmented Reality.
These changes aim to make it faster for users to access the features they use most frequently, enhancing the app's overall efficiency and user-friendliness.
Glide – The AI-Powered Mobility Revolution
Glide is an AI-powered mobility aid developed by Glidance.IO, designed to assist blind and low-vision users in navigating safely and independently. Think of it like a high-tech guide dog, minus the kibble and bathroom breaks. Here's what makes Glide special:
Autonomous navigation: Glide uses a technology called Sensible Wayfinding, which means it independently calculates your route, avoids obstacles, and safely guides you to your destination.
Always ready, always reliable: No training period, no leash, no “not in the mood to work” days. Just tap and go.
Built for the real world: Glide is designed for everyday use, whether that’s navigating busy streets, maneuvering through airports, or just getting around your work.
Here’s the exciting part: Glide might be coming to Indianapolis on April 17, 2025, but we need YOUR input to make that happen. If you’re interested, let the developers know by filling out this quick form:
Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses – A Hands-Free Game-Changer
These smart glasses weren’t designed specifically for blind users, but they’ve become one of the most unexpectedly useful tools in our community. The Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses bring together cutting-edge AI, hands-free access, and real-time object recognition, all packed into a stylish pair of sunglasses. Here are a few key features:
Look and ask: Simply ask the glasses what’s in front of you and they’ll analyze the scene and describe it.
Hands-free AI assistance: No need to pull out your phone; just use your voice to access information or take photos.
Be My Eyes integration: Yes, you can now connect directly to a live Be My Eyes volunteer through the glasses for real-time assistance.
WhatsApp video calls: Need a second pair of eyes? Use WhatsApp’s video chat through the built-in camera to get visual help from friends and family.
Music, podcasts, and calls – The glasses have built-in speakers, so you can listen to music, take calls, and even dictate messages without needing headphones.
Personalization: The lenses are available with clear, tinted, prescription, and transition lenses to meet your personal needs and preferences.
No subscription fees: Unlike some other accessibility tech, the Meta Ray-Bans have no ongoing fees. You buy them once, and that’s it - no monthly subscriptions draining your bank account.
The starting price for these glasses is around $300. You can purchase your pair at Ray-Ban and Meta stores and many Lens Crafters stores, as well as Amazon. To read FAFTB's full review, click here.
Live Video AI – Real-Time Scene Descriptions
Another exciting advancement in accessibility tech is live video AI interpretation. Here are a few details:
Describe what's in front of you: Using AI, your phone or device can provide real-time descriptions of what the camera sees.
Identify objects and read text: Need to know what’s on a menu or what’s in your fridge? AI can help.
Navigate unfamiliar spaces: While not a full mobility solution like Glide, this tech helps provide context about your surroundings.
Google AI Studio is pioneering this feature, and you can test it out right now:
Remember, this is early-stage AI, meaning accuracy isn’t 100% yet. If you give it a try, the system works best with clear lighting and defined objects.
You Can Trust FAFTB
We stay current on these assistive technology resources because, as blind individuals ourselves, we know what our community needs and wants. Keep coming back to our blog to learn more, or check us out on Facebook and Instagram! You can also contact us at admin@faftb.com.
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