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Top New Tech Gadgets for Visually Impaired People in 2024

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The year 2024 has seen a big jump in technology, especially in devices that help visually impaired people. As technology grows, artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a bigger role, making these gadgets even better and easier to use. You can see AI everywhere, from smart chatbots improving customer service to advanced AI systems like the Rabit R1 and AI news anchors. These advancements are amazing but also remind us to watch and manage AI carefully to keep humans involved.

One impressive use of AI is in assistive technology. AI-powered devices can now do complex tasks, giving visually impaired users more independence. For example, AI apps can describe surroundings, read text aloud, and help with daily activities using voice commands. But as AI gets better, we must also remember its limits and the need for perfect programming to avoid service issues.

In this blog, we’ll look at seven new gadgets from 2024 that are changing the lives of visually impaired people. These innovations show how far technology has come, blending AI advancements with a focus on environmental sustainability. Join us as we explore these exciting devices and their potential to shape the future of assistive technology.

List of top ‘7’ gadgets introduced in 2024

1. Dot Lumen Glasses

Navigating a city for blind people can require the help of a guide dog, a loyal companion trained to lead safely through bustling streets. However, training guide dogs is both time-consuming and expensive. Enter this great solution: smart glasses designed by DotLumen.

These advanced glasses offer blind individuals the independence and confidence to move around the city with ease, much like a guide dog. The smart glasses rapidly process new information, providing real-time guidance and adapting to changing environments faster than any trained animal could. This technological marvel ensures safety and efficiency, empowering users to explore their surroundings with minimal assistance.

The image shows a person wearing a sleek, futuristic headset called "Lumen," which resembles augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) glasses. The headset is black and white, with multiple sensors or cameras positioned on the front, suggesting it is designed for immersive experiences or enhanced vision. The person has their eyes closed, appearing calm and focused, which may indicate that the device offers an inward, meditative experience or a sensory enhancement. The logo "LUMEN" is displayed to the left of the person, written in bold, minimalist font with a series of dots forming a pattern. The background is entirely black, giving the image a modern, high-tech feel.

The cost and effort involved in training guide dogs can be prohibitive, with extensive training periods and significant financial investment required. In contrast, these smart glasses present a more accessible option, reducing the barriers to independent mobility for blind individuals.

Of course, the product is still in development and the relevance and accuracy have yet to be determined. But the many testimonials and videos presented by the company show good promise of this innovation.

Experience the future of mobility aids with DotLumen's smart glasses, an  innovation that combines advanced technology with practical functionality. Discover more about this device at DotLumen.

2. Glide

Navigating a city or building as a blind person can be challenging. Here is Glide, a solution that brings ease and familiarity. Glide is a handheld device designed to help blind individuals move around safely and confidently. Unlike Lumen glasses, which are worn on the head, Glide is held in your hand, much like a guide dog. 

The image shows a woman walking across a wet city street on a rainy day, holding an umbrella. She is dressed in a long striped coat and boots, with her hands gripping the handle of a device called "Glide." The device is small, white, and wheel-shaped, rolling in front of her like an assistive walking tool or luggage robot. The Glide has a sleek, modern design, with a minimalist aesthetic and pink accents. The scene is urban, with cars visible in the background, and the woman appears calm and focused on her path, as the Glide seems to assist her in navigating the environment.

For those who prefer not to wear devices on their heads or are simply more comfortable with the feeling of holding a guide, Glide is the perfect companion. It provides the same advanced navigation and obstacle detection as cutting-edge wearables but offers the comfort and familiarity of a handheld guide. Whether you're exploring new city streets or navigating through a building, Glide gives you the freedom to move independently, with a sense of control in the palm of your hand. 

Additionally interesting is that Glide does not just use sound but also relies on haptic feedback for the user. 

The image displays a detailed view of the Glide device, focusing on its ergonomic design. The Glide is a two-wheeled, compact, self-balancing mobility aid or assistive device, with a tall handle extending upward. A close-up shot highlights the handle, which features a rounded, black grip with a white body and a pink button or accent. The handle also has built-in haptic feedback capabilities, as indicated by the text in the image. The device’s base is white, with large black wheels and a pink grip or support on the front, emphasizing its minimalistic and functional design. The visual design suggests the Glide offers intuitive interaction for users, likely through its haptic feedback feature.

Glide is has started to take pre-order and is expected to deliver the products around september 2025. We have seen glide at many of the major assistive technology conferences where we recommend you give this products a try!

3. BeMyEyes AI 

Going strong for a while now, Be My Eyes, an app designed to connect visually impaired users with sighted volunteers for real-time assistance. By this points most of us are aware of their amazing innovations this year, but we had to mention them in thism list. This platform has taken a significant step forward with its new feature, "Be My AI," which offers automated image descriptions.

To use the Be My AI feature, simply enable VoiceOver on your device. When you encounter a public picture, triple-tap on it and select Describe with Be My Eyes to activate this function. This will automatically open the Be My Eyes app, where the AI will provide a detailed description of the image. This seamless integration makes it as easy as pi for us to get instant, accurate descriptions without waiting for a volunteer.

The image showcases a promotional banner for "Be My AI," a feature rolling out in collaboration between Be My Eyes and OpenAI. The background is a bright blue, with bold white text that reads, "Be My AI - Rolling out now." Below the text, the logos for Be My Eyes and OpenAI are displayed. On the right side of the image is a smartphone screen showing an example of the app in use. The screen depicts a photograph of a scenic coastal path, and a descriptive text generated by AI reads: "The picture shows a beautiful coastline. To the left is a path that runs along a grassy hill. To the right of the path there are large rocks that act as a barrier between the path and the sea." Buttons labeled "Take picture" and "Ask more" are visible, indicating user interaction options. The image promotes AI-powered visual assistance for visually impaired users.

The AI technology behind Be My AI uses advanced algorithms to analyze and interpret images, delivering clear and helpful descriptions. Whether it's understanding the content of a photo or identifying details in a scene, Be My AI is a game-changer for accessibility and independence.

For more information on how Be My AI is revolutionizing the experience for visually impaired users, visit the official announcement here. Embrace the future of assistive technology with Be My Eyes and experience a new level of autonomy in navigating the visual world.

4. Niira Smartglasses

Imagine a world where you are always informed about your surroundings. With Niira Smart Glasses, this is now a reality. These glasses provide real-time descriptions of what’s around you, from identifying people and their appearances to helping you control touchscreen devices effortlessly.

Equipped with advanced 3D perception, Niira Smart Glasses understand spatial environments like never before. The bone conduction audio ensures you receive information clearly without obstructing your hearing, while natural-sounding languages make interactions seamless and intuitive.

The image displays a pair of futuristic smart glasses called the Niira Smartglasses. The glasses have a sleek, modern design with dark, tinted lenses and a rectangular, tech-filled module mounted on top. The module includes multiple sensors or cameras, likely used for AR or VR functionality. The glasses appear robust, with thick frames and side arms, suggesting they are designed for both functionality and durability. The lenses are slightly reflective with a gradient of blue, adding to the high-tech aesthetic. The Niira Smartglasses seem to be aimed at providing advanced augmented reality or assistive capabilities.

One of the standout features is the long-lasting battery, ensuring you stay connected and informed throughout your day. Whether you’re navigating a busy city or using your smart devices, Niira Smart Glasses can enhance your experience.

One of the major questions with these glasses is how it’s truly different from the other solutions that have been presented in the last years. 

Learn more about this solution by visiting Niira Smart Glasses.

5. Hable Easy: Are you new to smartphones and feeling overwhelmed? 

The Hable Easy is here to make your transition smooth and effortless. This device is designed for those who want to use a smartphone for the first time, and in a completely simplified way. 

The Hable Easy acts as an external controller for your smartphone. It connects via Bluetooth, transforming your experience with simple and intuitive controls. This makes it incredibly useful for anyone who struggles with touchscreens or screen reader gestures.

The image shows the Hable One Easy, a compact, handheld device designed for accessibility, particularly for individuals with visual impairments. The device has a sleek black body with a variety of large, tactile buttons in different colors and shapes, making it easy to distinguish them by touch. There are a total of eight buttons, each with a distinct icon: a home button at the top, followed by buttons for music, play/pause, voice input, and directional navigation, among others. The device appears to be designed for intuitive control of smartphones or other tech devices, offering simplified access to essential functions. The background includes a faint network-like pattern of nodes and lines, giving a modern, tech-oriented feel to the image.

With the Hable Easy, accessing your phone’s features becomes straightforward and stress-free. Its user-friendly design is perfect for beginners, allowing you to navigate and control your phone with ease. The product is not meant for more technical people, but focusses on elderly or people with a motor impairment. 

Ready to learn more? Check out our comprehensive guide on the Hable Easy and how it can transform your smartphone experience: What is Hable Easy? Everything You Need to Know.

6. OneCourt’s haptic mini-field

Experience Sports Like Never Before with OneCourt’s Haptic Feedback Mini-Field

As visually impaired sports enthusiasts, we rely heavily on radio announcers to bring the game to life. No matter how skilled the announcer is, there's always a gap between what we hear and what sighted fans see. This is where OneCourt’s Haptic Feedback Mini-Field comes in.

The image shows a person using OneCourt’s haptic mini-field device at a sports game. The device is a rectangular, tablet-like object designed to allow users, particularly those with visual impairments, to experience the layout of a baseball field through touch. It features raised, tactile outlines of a baseball diamond and other key field areas, marked with red lines for enhanced contrast. The person is sitting in a stadium seat, with their hands placed on the device, feeling the haptic field to follow the game's layout or events. In the background, another spectator is seated, watching the game. The device likely enhances the accessibility of the game experience for blind or visually impaired users.

Imagine feeling the action in real-time through vibrations on a miniature field the size of a laptop. With this innovative technology, we can place our hands on the field and sense where the players are and what they're doing. Each vibration corresponds to player movements, giving us a tactile representation of the game.

The OneCourt’s haptic mini-field bridges the gap, allowing blind people to experience sports in a more immersive and interactive way. No longer do we have to imagine the play; we can feel it unfold beneath our fingers. This products brings visually impaired people closer to the excitement and dynamics of the game, enhancing the connection and enjoyment.

The image shows OneCourt’s haptic mini-field device set up in front of a laptop displaying an American football game. The device is a tactile, tablet-like representation of a football field, complete with marked yard lines ranging from 10 to 50. The field's design includes raised, textured areas and dotted lines, allowing users, particularly those with visual impairments, to feel the layout and track the game’s progress through touch. The laptop in the background shows a live football match, indicating that the haptic device is synced to provide real-time updates of the game. A water bottle is visible next to the setup, adding context to the environment. This device enhances accessibility for blind and visually impaired fans, enabling them to follow sports games through haptic feedback.

Discover more about this incredible innovation and how it can transform your sports experience by visiting OneCourt’s haptic mini-field. Let's feel the game like never before!

7. WeWalk smartcane 2

This is the WeWALK Smart Cane 2: the ultimate companion for the visually impaired. This isn't just any cane—it's packed with innovative technology that offers much more than traditional support. The Smart Cane 2 is equipped with turn-by-turn navigation. But that's not all. With the integration of a Chat GPT voice assistant, accessing information can be done directly with the cane. 

Imagine walking to your favorite restaurant and wanting to know the menu prices without pulling out your smartphone. Simply ask your cane! It's that simple. The Smart Cane 2 responds instantly, providing the answers you need in real-time.

The image shows a close-up of a hand holding the WeWALK Smart Cane 2, a high-tech assistive device designed for individuals with visual impairments. The handle of the cane is sleek and black, featuring a series of tactile buttons that allow the user to interact with various functions of the cane. The buttons are raised for easy use by touch, and the handle also includes an embedded sensor or port. The cane’s modern design combines traditional functionality with smart technology, offering features such as navigation assistance and object detection. The background is completely black, drawing attention to the smart cane’s design and interface.

Designed to be the same size as a regular cane, the WeWALK Smart Cane 2 blends advanced technology with practicality. This device aims to enhance independence and confidence for its users, making daily navigation and information access a breeze.

The smartcane is the second version of the product developed by th WeWalk Company. The products is not officially released yet but expected to arrive soon. We had the chance the try the SmartCane at the Sight City conference in frankfurt and were impressed by the easy of use and smart features like the flash light. 

Discover more about how the WeWALK Smart Cane 2 can transform your mobility experience. Visit WeWALK for further details and join the movement towards smarter, more accessible living.

In 2024, assistive technology for visually impaired individuals has taken incredible strides, offering more independence and accessibility than ever before. From smart glasses to handheld guides and haptic feedback devices, these innovations are reshaping how blind people interact with the world. As AI continues to evolve, the future looks even brighter for assistive tech. For more exciting advancements and devices, be sure to visit Hable's website and explore their range of solutions designed to empower and transform lives.

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