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.