The Braille Contact Lens is being developed to provide more tactile sight for the blind. Although not necessarily using braille, per se, the surface of the delicate contact lens is being "fitted with a series of electrodes that use small electric impulses to mechanically relay shapes onto the cornea, almost like braille. After some practice, test subjects were able to identify specific objects," according to Psfk.
Created by engineering researchers at the Bar Ilan University in Israel, the Braille Contact Lens is quite the feat. Although it won't be available in the near future, it promises a whole new experience for the visually impaired. Through these impressions, blind individuals will be able to identify specific objects using their eyes, if not in the way they were naturally meant to be used.
Tactile Sight Devices
The Braille Contact Lens by Bar Ilan University Gives Sight to the Blind
Trend Themes
1. Tactile Sight Devices - The development of tactile sight devices, like the Braille Contact Lens, opens up opportunities for enhancing sensory experiences for the visually impaired.
2. Electrode-based Tactile Feedback - The use of small electric impulses and electrodes to mechanically relay shapes onto the cornea provides potential for disruptive innovations in sensory technology.
3. Enhancing Visual Perception - Advancements in enhancing visual perception for the blind through innovative devices like the Braille Contact Lens hold immense potential for improving quality of life.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare Technology - The development of tactile sight devices and innovative sensory technology creates opportunities for disruption in the healthcare technology industry.
2. Assistive Technology - The Braille Contact Lens and similar tactile sight devices have the potential to revolutionize the assistive technology industry by offering new ways for the visually impaired to interact with their environment.
3. Medical Device Manufacturing - The production and commercialization of tactile sight devices like the Braille Contact Lens provide a disruptive opportunity for the medical device manufacturing industry to cater to the needs of the visually impaired.