Low-Cost Smart Glasses Unveiled in Ahmedabad Aimed At Assisting People with Blindness and Low Vision

AHMEDABAD: In a groundbreaking development, two stalls at the Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU) campus showcased smart glasses that utilize advanced camera technology and AI-powered interfaces to help individuals with visual impairments navigate their daily lives.

The innovative glasses, priced under Rs 20,000, feature a powerful camera that enables users to identify currency, read documents in multiple languages, and even receive detailed descriptions of the scene around them. This cutting-edge technology aims to provide affordable solutions for people with blindness and low vision to assimilate into society.

According to Dr Frances Gentle, president of the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI), India has an opportunity to lead in developing innovative solutions for global disabilities. Speaking at the first-ever world conference and general assembly of ICEVI held in Ahmedabad, Dr Gentle highlighted that India is the pioneer in including deafblindness as part of compulsory education.

"Our country has established a strong legal framework for persons with disabilities and has numerous initiatives that can be replicated worldwide," she emphasized. "Moreover, our thriving IT sector offers opportunities to develop affordable solutions for the disability sector globally."

Dr Gentle noted that emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) provide both benefits and concerns for the disability sector. "These technologies have the potential to transform lives of people with disabilities, but they also require careful planning and consideration of their impact," she added.

The conference, which brought together over 650 delegates from 62 countries, is seen as one of the biggest world conferences for ICEVI. Dr Bhushan Punani, chair of the host committee, expressed pride at the successful event, stating that it marked a significant milestone in promoting disability inclusivity and accessibility globally.