A couple of weeks ago I discussed how Apple’s advancement in technology had revolutionized my life. You can read that post here. Today I want to highlight a few things coming in the future that have the potential to do even more to advance the independence of visually impaired people. Below are 3 game changing technological advancements.
The Apple Voiceover technology has allowed me to use Facebook much like any sighted person would except for one exception, pictures. Frequently people will tag me in a picture, and I have no idea what the picture is. I cannot tell if it is something that I want to be tagged in or not. Facebook is attempting to break down this barrier with a new piece of software. This Wired article explains how their new AI system can describe pictures for the blind. The system takes a photo and begins to tell the visually impaired person what is in it. They hope to eventually take it to the point where the software can actually tell who a person is in a picture. This type technology will advance the independence of blind people in amazing ways. To read the full article click here.
EXERCISE
Exercising can at times be a challenge for visually impaired people. In 2014 I began a weight loss journey. I wanted to lose 40 pounds and get in shape. I tried to walk 5-6 times a week, and began watching what I ate. Most of the time I walked inside around a track. At times I would run into the wall around the outside of the track or the rail around the inside of the track. I frequently had bruises on my arms and legs, and on occasion an injury that kept me from being able to exercise. Eels Folmer wants to solve that problem. He has developed a drone that can guide a blind person around a track. The drone has 2 cameras on it: one pointing down at the lines on the track, and the second focused on the person running. It flies a few feet in front of the individual and can adjust its speed with the person’s speed. Folder’s device could go a long way towards overcoming a growing problem of obesity among people with a disability. One out of every two disabled people struggle with some form of obesity, primarily because they cannot perform the types of exercise that burn lots of calories. To read more about Folmer’s drone, click here.
RESTORATION OF SIGHT
The third advancement I would like to highlight is the goal of some scientist to restore sight to the blind. They are attempting to accomplish this goal through retina transplants and other neurological surgeries. It would be difficult to over state the impact that this technology would have on the lives of visually impaired people. We are talking about breaking down the barrier that exists between a visually impaired person and a life free from disability. To read more about this advancement click here.