Revolutionizing Vision for the Visually Impaired: AI-Powered Smart Glasses Unveiled

Revolutionizing Vision for the Visually Impaired: AI-Powered Smart Glasses Unveiled

Hyderabad, November 24, 2024 - In a major breakthrough, a pair of smart glasses powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) were unveiled in Hyderabad on Thursday, with the aim of revolutionizing the lives of the visually impaired. The “Driisti AI Smart Vision Glasses” developed by KIMS Foundation and Research Centre (KFRC) and Hyderabad-based Achala Health, have the potential to redefine vision for the blind by utilizing AI for object and face recognition.

Traditionally, the visually impaired have relied on canes for guidance, but these smart glasses hold the promise of providing reading assistance and indoor navigation. Equipped with cutting-edge features, the glasses offer audible and tactile alerts to aid the visually impaired in identifying individuals and objects.

What sets these glasses apart is the integration with a dedicated mobile application, allowing blind users to understand and navigate their surroundings. The mobile app connects to the smart glasses, which are equipped with a camera to capture the user’s environment. Through image processing, the app interprets and describes the surroundings to the user, making navigation and interaction with the environment easier.

Moreover, the glasses support navigation through location services, Bluetooth, and built-in IMU sensors, providing a seamless and informed experience for the user. With the support of OpenAI and proprietary AI technology developed by Achala Health, these smart glasses are designed to address the everyday challenges faced by the visually impaired.

During the unveiling, a batch of the glasses was distributed to visually impaired individuals from the Devnaar Foundation for the Blind. The Governor of Telangana, Jishnu Dev Varma, presented the glasses to the recipients in the presence of senior management from KFRC and Achala Health.

Dr V Bhujanga Rao, Chairman of KFRC and ISRO Chair Professor, National Institute of Advanced Technologies (NIAS), Bengaluru, expressed their aspirations for the device, stating, “Through this device, we are aiming to enrich the lives of the visually impaired by enhancing independence and quality of life.”

Looking ahead, the KFRC and developers are actively seeking collaboration with other voluntary organizations and institutions to distribute these tech-enabled smart glasses for free in Hyderabad. By making these glasses widely accessible, the developers hope to significantly improve mobility, independence, social interaction, and safe navigation for the blind.

This breakthrough in AI-powered vision technology is a significant step towards creating a more inclusive society, where individuals with visual impairments have access to advanced tools that enhance their daily lives. With the combination of AI and smart glasses, the visually impaired can now navigate indoor spaces, recognize familiar faces, and connect more meaningfully with their surroundings. This development has the potential to transform the lives of millions and is a testament to the power of technology to bring about positive change.