New Fingertip Camera Allows the Blind to Read

This may come as a tremendous respite to the blind who have an innate desire to read. Scientists at the University of Maryland have created a device that is attached to the tip of the finger and allows them to read. Headed by Jon Froehlich, a professor of computer science, the new invention called HandSight helps the blind to read without using braille. The device, measuring just a millimeter, has a tiny camera originally built for laparoscopic surgery and endoscopies. It sits on the fingertip while a computer near to it reads out the text.

According to the scientists, the device is placed on the fingertip like a ring, with extra pieces attached to the wrist and hand. As the blind slides his finger over a non-tactile surface like a book's page, a computer connected to the device actually reads the text. Feedback like vibrations and audio cues guides the reader and alerts him of line breaks or the need to reposition his finger to carry on reading. According to Froehilch, scientists want to empower the blind to accomplish such regular activities using this technology.

On Oct. 19, a group of blind people tried out the device using magazines and books. Their reading speed was found to be between 63 to 81 words every minute. One user reported that the technology could make a great difference in his life. Researchers now want to use this technology on a smartphone, such as the Samsung Galaxy Gear to make the experience more mobile. The device was born out of a class project in 2012 and two years down the line, it received a grant of $1 million from the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command. The fingers will be augmented with HandSight and will allow severely visually impaired users to have an idea of the non-tactile world, concluded Froehilch.