New Wearable Computer Device Reads Books Aloud
- MIT’s (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Media Lab has developed a new device, the FingerReader, which reads out text loudly as the users run their fingertips over each word. It is a wearable device (to be attached like a finger-ring around the index finger).
- This device is much helpful for visually impaired people who face a lot of problems while accessing the printed texts. The device can also be used for language translation.
- When the user runs his/her finger over the text on paper, the words are scanned and a user receives audio feedback of scanned words. It gives haptic signals (vibrations) to notify users about start line, end line, and some other cues.
- Haptic feedback uses tactile feedback technology, which notifies user by applying vibrations. FingerReader devices have in-built algorithm that recognizes and notifies users when they deviate from the baseline, in order to maintain the line wise scanning motion of device.
Exams Perspective:
- FingerReader