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Cane helps blind people recognize faces

Shared by Ana Duarte on 2015-11-10 17:16

About the solution

Using smartphone technology, the device — known as the "XploR" mobility cane — can identify faces from up to about 33 feet (10 meters) away, researchers say.

If the cane recognizes someone, it alerts a visually impaired user by vibrating and transmitting a sound signal. The cane is also equipped with GPS to help the user navigate.

"My grandfather is blind and I know how useful this device could be for him," Steve Adigbo, one of the cane's developers and a student at Birmingham City University in England, adding,"There’s nothing else out there like this at the moment."

The cane works by taking pictures of people in the environment and comparing them to a bank of images stored on an internal memory card, using facial-recognition software. When it finds a match, it produces a vibration and sends a signal to an earpiece via Bluetooth, the researchers said.

Adapted from: http://www.livescience.com/50796-smart-cane-recognizes-faces.html

This solution shall not include mention to the use of drugs, chemicals or biologicals (including food); invasive devices; offensive, commercial or inherently dangerous content. This solution was not medically validated. Proceed with caution! If you have any doubts, please consult with a health professional.

DISCLAIMER: This story was written by someone who is not the author of the solution, therefore please be advised that, although it was written with the utmost respect for the innovation and the innovator, there can be some incorrect statements. If you find any errors please contact the patient Innovation team via info@patient-innovation.com

About the author

Steve Adigbo, Waheed Rafiq and Richard Howlett, from UK, are students from Birmingham City University who developed a smart cane that enables blind people to instantly identify friends and family. The students were inspired by Steve’s grandfather, who is blind.

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