The FingerReader ring has been designed by
researchers at MIT’s Media Lab in hopes that people with visual disabilities will
be able to have the freedom and independence to read printed text or electronic
devices.
The device will be worn on the index finger and
will be an audio reading device. This allows immediate and affordable
access to printed texts. The FingerReader, produced by a 3D printer at the
prototype stage, fits just like a ring. It has a small camera that scans
text and feeds out an audio voice that reads the words aloud. Books,
menus, and other written text needed for daily life, can be accessed quickly.
Now those who can’t read regular print can gain
access to a whole new world of reading. Special software can follow
finger movements, read words and process information. A vibration motor
alerts readers when they go away from the script. An amazing piece of kit
really!
Jerry Berrier, aged 62, was born blind. The
FingerReader will allow him freedom he never had before. “When I go to
the doctor’s office, there may be forms that I wanna read before I sign them,”
he stated. Although there are other word recognition devices, this is the
first he knows of that reads in real time.
Berrier also states: ”Everywhere we go, for folks
who are sighted, there are things that inform us about the products that we are
about to interact with. I wanna be able to interact with those same products,
regardless of how I have to do it.”
The technology has taken three years to develop
and many designs have been experimented with. There are still bits that
need to be worked out, such as reading mobile phone messages.
There are over 11.2 million people in the United
States alone, who suffer with vision impairment and so this product will be
greatly received.
Currently, reading technology has to process
script before it can be read aloud by software installed on computers or
smartphones. This will work in real time. Although it is an amazing
technology, it will not replace Braille.
There were many challenges developers
faced. For one, readers had to know when material began and finished.
There are now audio cues that process essential information and allow a
vibration motor to be set off.
Although papers, books, magazines, newspapers,
computer screens and other devices, can be read by the FingerReader, it seems
to have problems reading touch screens. An obvious problem in today’s
growing ‘smart’world. Researchers are currently working on a solution to
this problem. “Any tool that we can get that gives us better access to
printed material helps us to live fuller, richer, more productive lives’”
Berrier said.
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