(June 25, 2015) Computer
scientists are developing new adaptive mobile technology which could enable
blind and visually-impaired people to ‘see’ through their smartphone or tablet.
Funded by a Google Faculty Research Award, specialists in
computer vision and machine learning based at the University of Lincoln, UK,
are aiming to embed a smart vision system in mobile devices to help people with
sight problems navigate unfamiliar indoor environments.
Based on preliminary work on assistive technologies done by
the Lincoln Centre for Autonomous Systems, the team plans to use colour and
depth sensor technology inside new smartphones and tablets, like the recent
Project Tango by Google, to enable 3D mapping and localisation, navigation and
object recognition. The team will then develop the best interface to relay that
to users – whether that is vibrations, sounds or the spoken word.