Smart cane helps blind people recognize faces

British scientists have designed a smart walking stick that can help blind people recognize the faces of friends and relatives.

The cane is designed based on smart technology, helping blind people recognize faces and navigate while moving. Photo: ShutterStock

The XploR device is designed based on smartphone technology and can recognize faces from a distance of 10 m.

According to Live Science, the cane works by taking pictures of people's faces around them, then comparing them to a bank of images stored on a memory card using facial recognition software. When a match is found, it will notify the blind person by vibrating and emitting a sound to a headset via Bluetooth connection. The cane is also equipped with a GPS positioning system to help the user move.

A team from the University of Birmingham, who visited the Beacon Centre for the Blind in the UK, found that in addition to high-tech features, the cane needed to be lightweight and easy to use. They have shown the device to medical professionals and scientists in Luxembourg and France, and plan to bring it to Germany later this year.

In the US, scientists are developing a vibrating vest that helps blind people navigate using a sensor system. The Eyeronman device is not only for the blind, but can also help soldiers or firefighters in conditions with limited visibility.

According to VnExpress