Researchers at the US Caltech Institute have used augmented reality hardware and computer vision algorithms to create a new technique to guide those who have lost their vision.
The technique allows various objects found in a place to "talk" and inform the blind individual of their nature, reported the German news agency.
The new technology, dubbed CARA, utilizes different sounds to define each of the objects found in the room in order to avoid any confusion that may face the user. It also uses different sound levels to indicate the space between the user and the object. It defines the close objects with a loud sound, while it uses low sound for far objects.
CARA is worn as a portable headset, and translates the optical world into plain English audio.
The device could be used in banks, grocery stores, museums and other locations, to help blind people make their way through unfamiliar spaces.
The TechXplore website cited researcher Markus Meister, who said: "Imagine you are in a world where all the objects around you have voices and can speak to you. Wherever you point your gaze, the different objects you focus on are activated and speak their names to you.”
CARA is still in its early stages, but will benefit from the rapid development of algorithms for computer vision.
The researchers hope that places like banks, hotels and shopping malls will offer CARA devices for use by their blind customers.
