Vision realised Dr Mark Gostock - Isis Innovation

Vision realisedDr Mark Gostock introduces a hightechyet inexpensive and inconspicuousportable device. Smart Specs provideimproved spatial awareness and objectrecognition for the legally blind.The impact on an individual’s abilityto navigate and negotiate theirenvironment following sight lossis both obvious and great. Manyindividuals suffer reduced mobilityas a result of their visual impairmentand the personal difficulties facedby someone who is blind cannot beoverstated. Many aspects of everydaylife become increasingly difficult, suchas the ability to travel independentlyand use public transport, to walksafely around the environment andto make complex journeys. Manyindividuals are prevented fromperforming any work for whicheyesight is essential and depressionis common amongst the visuallyimpaired population.Over 360,000 people are registeredas blind in the UK, with the majoritysuffering retinal disease such asage-related macular degeneration,diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma.However, up to 90 percent havesome form of residual vision function,sufficient to differentiate betweenlight-dark contrast and motion.Illuminated visionTypically, the only mobility aidsavailable to visually impairedindividuals, not withstanding guidedogs, are manual probes (whitesticks) or auditory devices similar toecholocation. Never before has lightbeen used to enhance visual input tothe eye, even though visual stimulusis the most natural way to interactwith objects. Technology designed byDr Stephen Hicks and researchers inthe Nuffield Department of Clinical• Transparent visual display: incon-spicuous design, allows eye contactbetween wearer and others.• Navigation assistant: GPS andcompass sensors locate thewearer on a digital map and setvisible waypoints on the displaysto guide individuals safely to theirdestination.• Public transport assistant: Downloadsreal-time information aboutpublic transport to improve accessibilityand alerts wearer to anapproaching vehicle.• Depth imaging: Rapidly drawsconnections between display andobjects in the real world, enablingavoidance of obstructions.Tiny stereo cameras – embedded inthe frame of lightweight spectacles– capture simplified images of ascene and send them to a series ofsmall LEDs, set within the surface oftransparent lensesIsis Innovation: Invention 12