Toyota is shifting its gears into another initiative. This time around, the automaker wishes to help the blind and visually impaired people see with its wearable set named Project BLAID.
Toyota has pushed out a blogpost on its website describing how the Project BLAID is going to enrich the lives of these people.
It says it is currently cooking up its wearable device aimed at helping them do a lot of things with greater confidence, independence and freedom.
How Project BLAID Wearable Set Works?
Users wear the device around their shoulders. Rather than using canes and basic GPS devices when navigating indoor spaces, such as shopping malls and office buildings, the device is going to aid them in identifying everyday features, which include escalators, bathrooms, doors and stairs.
The wearable device is going to be crammed with cameras enabling the users to check out their surroundings. With the use of vibration motors along with speakers, information is being communicated to the users. Meanwhile, by means of voice recognition and buttons, users, in turn, will be able to interact with the device.
In the long run, Toyota says that the Project BLAID wearable set is going to be loaded with object identification, integrate mapping, plus facial recognition technologies.
“Project BLAID is one example of how Toyota is leading the way to the future of mobility, when getting around will be about more than just cars,” said Simon Nagata, Toyota Motor North America’s Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer.
He went on to say that the company wants to extend “the freedom of mobility for all,” regardless of their location, situation or ability.
Doug Moore, Manager of Partner Robotics at Toyota, believes that this particular project of Toyota has a great potential in improving the lives of blind and visually impaired individuals.
"Toyota is more than just the great cars and trucks we build," Moore said.
To make the wearable set even smarter, the company is launching an employee engagement campaign inviting team members company-wide to send in videos of common indoor landmarks. The videos will then be used by developers to teach the device to have a better grasp of these spaces.
In November, Tech Times reported that Microsoft, in collaboration with British charity Guide Dogs, had given its smart headsets a boost to aid visually impaired in navigating their surroundings.
If you wish to get a quick look of how the Project BLAID wearable set functions, check out this video shown.
