Computer vision and mobile technology help blind people “see” – Pplware

If the smartphones and tablets are increasingly an incredible processing power, it is equipped with sensors and software around us in intimate way as to capture all our physical and social activity, why not join a series more determined parameters and take the “vision” who do not see?

In this sense, computer scientists are developing a new adaptive mobile technology that could allow blind and visually impaired people could “see “via your smartphone or tablet.

This research is being funded by Google Faculty Research Award, which allows experts in computer vision and learning equipment, Lincoln University, UK, may insert a smart vision system on a mobile device, helping in this way, people with vision problems to circulate independently ” out of doors. “

Based on preliminary work on assistive technologies, developed at the Center for Autonomous Systems in Lincoln, the team plans to use color and depth sensor technology in smartphones and tablets, as the project uses Tango Google that allows you to map any area where the system point in three-dimensional format with geographic and object recognition. Then the team will develop an interface to link all this information read by the user device and can use vibrations, beeps or up words using a speech synthesizer.

The project, led by Dr. Nicola Bellotto, an expert in mechanical and robotic perception man-centered, the Lincoln School of Computer Science said that there are already many available visuals, as pro example guide dogs, cameras and wearable sensors. But even though there are all these technologies, there is also the difficulty in creating a true formula of usability that has acceptance in the middle that needs it.

If people are able to use the technology incorporated in devices such as smartphones, you do not need to use extra equipment, it would make them feel more self-conscious. Besides all this, there are applications for smartphones are able to recognize objects or convert voice where geographically is the device. But still do not take full advantage of these sensors are in the pocket of each of us, at least truly useful way.

So the aim of this project is to create a system that meets all these existing technologies and can simplify the process of such an order that usability is huge and everything combined makes the lives of those who have much more autonomous visual difficulties, simply by taking advantage of a gadget that for many only serves to make and receive calls.

This research team will work with the sponsorship of Google and Google will collaborate with experts throughout the project ‘Active Vision with human-in-the-Loop for the Visually Impaired’.