Communications of the ACM
Vision via Sound for the Blind
The researchers found the wearable device, equipped with acoustic touch technology, significantly enhanced the ability of blind or low-vision individuals to recognize and reach for objects, without needing too much mental effort.
Credit: Lil Deverell
Scientists at Australia's universities of Sydney and Technology Sydney (UTS) partnered with Sydney-based startup ARIA Research to create "acoustic touch" technology that uses sound to help blind people "see."
UTS' Chin-Teng Lin said, "Acoustic touch technology sonifies objects, creating unique sound representations as they enter the device's field of view. For example, the sound of rustling leaves might signify a plant, or a buzzing sound might represent a mobile phone."
The researchers evaluated the next-generation smart glasses with 14 participants, half of whom were visually impaired while the other half were sighted, blindfolded controls.
They learned the devices substantially augmented the blind or low-vision individuals' ability to identify and reach for objects without taxing them mentally.
From University of Technology Sydney (Australia)
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