Qualcomm and Project RAY have collaborated to build a new eye-free mobile device for the blind, this device is called Ray. The Ray is mobile-device based on Android which is built on a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset and sports a unique user interface for the visually impaired.
The user interface depends on the touch screen, haptic feedback, text-to-speech and audio feedback to support phone calls, text messages, emails and social networking. When a user touches any random position on the screen, it acts as a starting point for selecting an activity. From here simple finger movements in different directions enable navigation. It has built-in vibration capabilities and voice prompts for the user feedback. The user interface evolves and becomes easier by learning the users’ preferences and usage patterns.
The user interface depends on the touch screen, haptic feedback, text-to-speech and audio feedback to support phone calls, text messages, emails and social networking. When a user touches any random position on the screen, it acts as a starting point for selecting an activity. From here simple finger movements in different directions enable navigation. It has built-in vibration capabilities and voice prompts for the user feedback. The user interface evolves and becomes easier by learning the users’ preferences and usage patterns.
Here is a word from the guys behind the project;
“Audio-books, magazines and periodicals are an important method for accessing information for blind and visually impaired people, but the current system requires renting items by mail, which is not timely. Subscribers can now use RAY devices to easily access and download audio assets from the library over an advanced mobile broadband network, rather than waiting to receive CD copies,” said Amos Beer, chief executive officer of the Central Library for the Blind, Visually Impaired and Handicapped. “Our library is delighted to be working with Qualcomm and Project RAY to build a system enabling people with vision impairments to remotely access and download audio assets from the library. Also, the system is being designed specifically for Project RAY devices and specific user identities to ensure digital rights management protection for copyrighted material.”
“We believe the Project RAY device will enhance the ability of blind and visually impaired people to access resources and information independently,” said Don Rosenberg, executive vice president and general counsel for Qualcomm. “This project, which is part of our Wireless Reach initiative, demonstrates one of the many ways Qualcomm technology can improve people’s lives and we are proud to support this important program.”
“Audio-books, magazines and periodicals are an important method for accessing information for blind and visually impaired people, but the current system requires renting items by mail, which is not timely. Subscribers can now use RAY devices to easily access and download audio assets from the library over an advanced mobile broadband network, rather than waiting to receive CD copies,” said Amos Beer, chief executive officer of the Central Library for the Blind, Visually Impaired and Handicapped. “Our library is delighted to be working with Qualcomm and Project RAY to build a system enabling people with vision impairments to remotely access and download audio assets from the library. Also, the system is being designed specifically for Project RAY devices and specific user identities to ensure digital rights management protection for copyrighted material.”
“We believe the Project RAY device will enhance the ability of blind and visually impaired people to access resources and information independently,” said Don Rosenberg, executive vice president and general counsel for Qualcomm. “This project, which is part of our Wireless Reach initiative, demonstrates one of the many ways Qualcomm technology can improve people’s lives and we are proud to support this important program.”
It is great to see innovation moving in various directions (especially such directions) and we hope to see similar projects from other companies.
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