Germany: New information system for blind and visually impaired

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By Paul Biba

This looks as if it could be of real use to many people. It is from the Freie Universitat Berlin.

The artificial intelligence group at Freie Universität Berlin, under the direction of the computer science professor Raúl Rojas, has developed a new type of information system for blind and visually impaired individuals. Field trials are being carried out to optimize the device for future users. …

“InformA” is a small computer that is connected wirelessly to the Internet. The device is operated like a radio. The user can choose between different information channels. By pressing a button, the time or the weather will be announced, but there are also current newspapers available as audio files (currently Tagesspiegel and taz).

In addition, e-mails can be read aloud by the device. The user can answer e-mails by dictating a message. An integrated camera makes it possible to have printed documents such as letters or package information leaflets read aloud fully automatically. In more complicated cases – such as a statement of account for a heating bill – the user of the device can take a photo of the document and send it to a call center. Persons doing community service instead of military service who work for the Berlin Association for the Education of the Blind and Visually Impaired e.V. then provide further assistance.

Here is the contact information for anyone who wants to get involved in the trial:

Raúl Rojas

Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Computer Science

Artificial Intelligence Group

Tel.: +49 (0)30 / 838 – 75102

E-mail: information-ki@fu-berlin.de

Via Resource Shelf

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disabilities, disabled, Paul Biba, TeleRead, blind

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