Envision Glasses ‘Sees’ For People Can’t
November 29, 2020Envision, the AI-assistive technology company has started shipping its smart glasses to consumers worldwide. The wearable device is targeted at blind and visually impaired people to empower them with the ability to access visual information with relative ease. Aptly named the Envision Glasses, its supposed to be the most advanced device of its kind on the market.
The software within the glasses utilizes AI tech to extract information from images that it captures, then reads it aloud for the wearer. This helps with awareness of one’s surroundings, which can be quite useful at times. Those who are visually impaired will be able read documents, view labels while shopping, recognize people and find personal items.
Envision Glasses combine various Read, Find, Identify and Call’ functionality with the fastest, most accurate OCR (Optical Character Recognition) available. The software is able to recognize text and script in more than 60 languages. It’s ‘Batch Scan’ functions, enables the device to scan more than one document at a time, the respective text can be exported for other uses.
This is a list of what the tech can do:
- Real-time, Instant Text: Read short pieces of text, public transportation information, i.e., bus, train, tram or subway schedules, street signs, food labels, etc. Read dense pieces of text like letters, books or magazines. Snap a picture of any of these types of text
- Video Call: Allows the user to make a video call from within the Envision Glasses to a friend or a family member who has the Envision Ally app
- Take a picture and the AI will describe what’s in the image to help the user gain a general sense of what is around them. Images can also be saved, making it a great way to take photographs.
- Speak or describe a dominant colors
- Scan the environment and when it detects a face of a family and friend, the glasses will emit a mild beep and their names will be spoken out loud.
- Choose an item from a list of objects to detect, and the glasses will scan your immediate vicinity for what the wearer is looking for, which include remote controls or house keys.
- The ‘Explore’ function enables Envision to consistently speak out the objects and people it detects around the user
- iOS and Android Compatibility: iOS 12.0 or higher with iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch; Android 5.0 or higher
- Software Updates: Glasses are continuously updated with new features and functionalities
- Two lightweight, comfortable frame sizes available:
Standard, Titanium Frame: lightweight minimal frame with no lenses
Smith Optics Frame: A designer spectacle frame with zero-power lenses that can be replaced with custom prescription lenses - Weight: Less than 2 ounces / 50 grams
- Camera: 8-MP camera with a wide field-of-view that captures every detail
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-Enabled: Always-on connectivity
- Battery: Provides 5 – 6 hours charge with regular usage. USB-C supported for rapid charging
Click Here For the Full Tech Specs
“Envision was born from our desire to empower blind and visually impaired people with greater independence and access to the visual world, including things many of us take for granted, like reading text from a book, opening and reading a handwritten card or letter from a loved one without the need for assistance,” said Karthik Mahadevan, CEO and co-founder of Envision.
The Envision Glasees are available to purchase online via the company’s website or authorised resellers in various markets. If you’re interested, the device retails for $3500, £2695 and €2999 (excluding tax), respectively.
