Cool Assistive Glasses Helps The Blind Perceive Signs & Colors With AI

The latest version of Envision Glasses, which debuted this week at the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, is a new leap forward for functional wearables.

Built on Google Glass technology, the device harnesses the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist blind users in identifying their surroundings, reading signs, and even telling colors apart. 

According to New Atlas, when a user wishes to be notified of what’s in their purview, they just have to simply swipe the arm of the glasses to select a mode.

They can then record the image, which will be processed by the AI algorithms before being fed back to the user via the integrated speaker.

Even more impressively, the glasses can instantly recognize and translate short texts—such as road signs—in over 60 languages, and can even loop into a video call where the sighted person guides the user in real-time on their journey. 

When out shopping, the wearables will help users identify different colors on outfits, search for a specific object, or describe the scene in front of them so they’re aware of what’s happening at all times. 

“Our mission is to improve the lives of the world’s two billion people who are blind or visually impaired by providing them with life-changing assistive technologies, products, and services,” said Karthik Kannan, co-founder of Envision. 

“Everyone is entitled to live in a world without boundaries, and we are thrilled to make Envision Glasses [available] to as many people as possible.” 

Envision Glasses are now on sale at €3,269 (US$3,608). 

[via New Atlas and The Hearing Review, cover image via Envision]