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Braille smartphone in development
Transcript
26 May 2013
Roberta: Sumit Dagar, a designer from India, has unveiled the world’s first braille smartphone. The device is currently in prototype phase and uses mouldable metal technologies to provide a tactile experience for the blind. Here to tell us more about this exciting development is Media Access Australia’s Clarizza Fernandez. Welcome, Clarizza.
Clarizza: Hi, Roberta.
Roberta: What is the braille smartphone and how does it work?
Clarizza: Well, the braille smartphone is made out of mouldable metal, so the metal from which it’s made can change shape and return to its former shape as well. What Sumit Dagar and his team did was they created a smartphone that uses this metal to provide a tactile experience for the blind and vision impaired.
So there are pins under the metal that move up and down to make shapes and braille patterns and that’s where the term ‘braille smartphone’ comes from. So blind and vision impaired users can essentially perform tasks through the smartphone, such as making video calls and sending text messages, but now there’s a tactile element to it and so it’s more accessible.
Roberta: And what sort of features does it have?
Clarizza: What we know from the TED Talk that Sumit Dagar gave, so TED Talk is a conference on ideas and technology, is that the smartphone will be able to convert text content into raised braille characters. So when you receive a text message it can be converted to braille. You can also reply and compose text messages in braille.
There will also be tactile buttons, so unlike on the normal touch screen that you see on many smartphones these days the pins under the metal of this braille smartphone can form a play button, for example. So again this will be tactile rather than just relying on a touchscreen button which can be complex if there’s limited sight.
One area that will be extremely helpful as well is tactile maps. So most smartphones have GPS built in and people often use their smartphone to look up a map of where they are going. On the braille smartphone maps will be more tactile, so users can feel the map and read the directions.
Roberta: And what about making a video call?
Clarizza: This is exciting, Roberta. There is one obvious thing that can’t be replicated currently with smartphone technology and that’s video calls but the braille smartphone can provide this experience for blind and vision impaired. One of the features is a scanner that converts images to a raised tactile pattern, so when you are making a video call the scanner will convert facial expressions into raised patterns. So not only can you hear their voice; you can feel their facial expressions.
Roberta: And will it have a screen reader?
Clarizza: Yes, wherever possible there will be audio feedback for actions and text can also be read out to the user.
Roberta: And how much is this likely going to be? Is that a big question?
Clarizza: Yes, well, it’s actually surprising but it’s great news. It’s currently being tested, as you mentioned, but it’s expected to be available at the end of the year but the best thing, I think, is that it looks like it will be sold at an affordable price and early prices show it will be sold for US$185.
Roberta: Gosh, that’s cheap. When you think of prototype phases you think of years ahead but that’s very soon, if it’s going to be out by the end of the year.
Clarizza: Yes, and I hope that they are able to release that to the general public at that stage.
Roberta: That is just such good news. Now, to find out more about how digital technology can help you or someone you know who is blind or vision impaired visit Media Access Australia – an amazing website to navigate – or you can give them a call, always good to talk to somebody: 02 9212 6242. Well, thank you for all of that, Clarizza, and I’ll be talking to you about this one, I’m sure, very soon.
Clarizza: Thanks, Roberta.
Roberta: I’ve been speaking with Clarizza Fernandez from Media Access Australia and, as I said, you can contact Clarizza: 02 9212 6242. And we’ve been speaking about Sumit Dagar, a designer from India, who has just unveiled the world’s first braille smartphone, so be listening out for that one. Media access Australia is a supporter of this program.