Engineering news
Developed by researchers at the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Sydney, together with local start-up Aria Research, the ‘acoustic touch’ glasses translate visual information into distinct sound ‘icons’.
About 39m people worldwide are blind, according to the World Health Organisation, and an additional 246m people live with low vision, affecting their ability to take part in everyday activities.
“Smart glasses typically use computer vision and other sensory information to translate the wearer’s surrounding into computer-synthesized speech,” said Distinguished Professor Chin-Teng Lin, from the University of Technology Sydney.
“However, acoustic touch technology ‘sonifies’ objects, creating unique sound representations as they enter the device's field of view. For example, the sound of rustling leaves might signify a plant, or a buzzing sound might represent a mobile phone.”
A study to test the acoustic touch technology, led by Dr Howe Zhu from the University of Technology Sydney, involved 14 participants – seven people with blindness or low vision, and seven blindfolded sighted people who served as a control group.
They found that the wearable device significantly enhanced the ability of blind or low-vision individuals to recognise and reach for objects, without causing too much mental effort.
“The auditory feedback empowers users to identify and reach for objects with remarkable accuracy,” said Dr Zhu. “Our findings indicate that acoustic touch has the potential to offer a wearable and effective method of sensory augmentation for the visually impaired community.”
The research underscores the importance of developing assistive technology to overcome challenges, such as locating specific household items and personal belongings, the researchers said.
“By addressing these day-to-day challenges, the acoustic touch technology opens new doors for individuals who are blind or have low vision, enhancing their independence and quality of life,” the research announcement said.
“With ongoing advancements, the acoustic touch technology could become an integral part of assistive technologies, supporting individuals to access their environment more efficiently and effectively than ever before.”
The work was published inPLOS ONE.
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