Monday, September 22, 2008

Touch Sight Camera for the blind

An all new concept camera that is intended for the visually impaired might hit the stores soon. I think there are quite a number of gadgets that have been launched in the market which are to target the visually impaired, but this is definitely one of the best designs I have come across. This "Touch Sight" camera is made in such a way that it converts the photograph into a 3D representation in Braille which the user utilizes to "feel" the photograph. Amazing concept!

This very innovative design was designed by designer Chueh Lee from Samsung China. Let me explain how it works. First when the user presses the shutter button, the camera records the ambient sounds for about 3 seconds. This sound is to be used as a reference by the photographer later. There is no LCD screen in this camera but is replaced by a 3D representation of the photograph in Braille. So while feeling the photograph in Braille and using the sound that was recorded as a reference, the user is able to form a mental picture of the photograph he or she has just taken.

It is a well known fact that the visually impaired and they use this to form a mental picture of the world around them. This is exactly the technique that is used by this innovative camera to help the visually impaired to take photographs of the world around them - without even seeing their target. It is definitely commendable how the designer has come up with this unique idea for the have a heightened sense of hearing and touchvisually impaired to take photographs with their non visual senses. Bravo!

I definitely hope that this product will be launched in the market soon. It would even be great if this revolutionary camera could be used to showcase some of the photographs taken in some sort of an exhibition. That would really be cool and would help us understand the world of the visually impaired!



4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well this is one gadget that has got my attention. I wonder if someone visually impaired could use it to take a picture of text in a book or on a sign, which would then display it in braille on the back making it possible for them to read it? That could be a nifty feature...

Raj said...

Hi tyt, The camera is supposed to convert the images into a 3D rendering in Braille depending on the shapes of the subject. I doubt this will be possible with text.

Anonymous said...

this is so cool! Now, even visually impaired will not be left out.

Unknown said...

The camera appears to have a resolution of about 24 by 36 dots. This could allow the display of 3 or 4 charactors if taken at very close range. This assumes the camera has macro capability! To me this is a gimmick to make money. When someone makes a camera that can make a 3D model of a scene or pick-out and name an object in the scene then it would be useful.