A brand new app helps the blind to see

The collaboration between International Business Machines Corp. (IBM Research) and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has unveiled a new app, NavCog, for helping the blind to get better navigation of their surrounding in 16 Oct. 2015. Hans Jørgen Wiberg, who is visually impaired himself, came up with the idea for the application. In April 2012 he presented the idea for an application at a startup event in Denmark. Since 2012 the team has worked diligently to make the app a reality. Now the NavCog app is available for free on the App Store, which can help blind people to navigate their surroundings by whispering into their ears through earbuds or by creating subtle vibrations on their smartphones.

Moreover, the system goes beyond just mere navigation. For example, a facial recognition component would tell you in real-time if you are passing someone you already know. The sensors are capable of recognizing emotions on these faces. This could make it possible to recognize when those people passing you are smiling or frowning.

(The Washington Post / Katrina Cheng/Alex)