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The Problem

The limitations of Braille display technology are the number of braille cells on the display[1], requiring a connection with another device, and a lack of features to improve the quality of life for visually impaired individuals. And further research is needed to address them and enhance accessibility of information for visually impaired individuals.

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Your AI Concept

"Turn to the next page.."

Microsoft Azure Cloud Storage - for storing books in the cloud.

"Open my science book.."

"Read the book out loud.."

The Braille display device, designed for people with visual impairments, is a revolutionary new way of reading books and accessing literature anywhere at any time !
internet connectivity is not required for the Braille display device, voice recognition technology, or camera to function. Once the user has downloaded or opened a book from the cloud storage, they can read it without an internet connection.

At the bottom, we have a microphone(for voice commands) and a speaker (to allow the device to 'read aloud' text ).

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Your AI Concept

A camera: to scan text (documents, papers, etc.)

and displays it in Braille.

It will display the text in braille ( the appropriate pins are raised or lowered to create the corresponding pattern of dots. The user can then read the braille characters with their fingers).

Or it can read the text out loud (and this is a great feature for people who are still learning how to read in braille; because it will be easier for them to practice).

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Use of Artificial Intelligence

Microsoft Azure Cognitive Service for speech

Microsoft Azure Cognitive Service for vision

Braille translation software, such as Duxbury DBT

Microsoft Azure Cloud Storage

Microsoft Azure Cognitive Service for language

Microsoft Azure Identity and Access Management

Microsoft Azure Security Center

Incorporating these software tools into the braille display may help in reducing hardware costs,

while offering built-in security, and user access management functionality.

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Impact

Our new Braille display device with features such as voice recognition, , a camera to scan text and more braille cells can greatly improve accessibility to literature.
According to the World Health Organization, there are approximately 285 million visually-impaired individuals worldwide, of which 39 million are blind and 246 million have low vision[2]. With this large number of individuals affected by visual impairments, it is clear that there is a pressing need for assistive technologies that can help these individuals lead more fulfilling, independent lives.

The Digital Braille Displays Market is projected to expand significantly in the coming years, with an estimated value of USD 414.1 million by 2026 and a CAGR of 5.8% from 2021 to 2026[3]. High-quality Braille output, portability, durability, cost, and number of cells have been identified as key deciding factors for visually impaired individuals when selecting a Braille display, based on the findings from the study by W. Yang, J. et al [4].

Therefore, the launch of a new Braille display that can effectively address these factors has the potential to revolutionize the lives of visually impaired individuals by improving their access to information and technology and enhancing their overall user experience. By increasing accessibility, independence, equality, and inclusion for visually impaired individuals, a new Braille display can go a long way towards enriching the lives of those affected by visual impairments.

The impact of this device extends beyond individual users, as it promotes inclusivity and diversity in education and literature, setting the standard for future accessibility technology.

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Ethics

Fairness/Reliability and Safety: Fairness and reliability are crucial when providing accessibility devices for people with disabilities. The Braille display device with voice recognition technology and a camera to scan text was designed to be reliable by ensuring that the voice recognition technology accurately recognizes speech and responds promptly to user commands. Fairness is also important in the design and development phases of the project, as it is essential to ensure that the device is accessible to everyone and does not perpetuate any pre-existing biases.

Privacy, & Security: Privacy and security are similarly important considerations in the design and development of our Braille display device. The Microsoft Azure Cloud Storage service used to store books must ensure that data is securely and privately stored on the cloud. User data and communications must be encrypted with proper security measures implemented to protect against data breaches or security breaches that could compromise user privacy.

Inclusiveness: Inclusiveness is one of the primary goals of our Braille display device. It was designed to be accessible to people with visual impairments, providing a new way to read books and literature. Our device is also designed to be inclusive of different languages and settings, promoting diversity by ensuring that users from different backgrounds and cultures can access literature in their preferred language.

Transparency and Accountability: Transparency and accountability are key principles in our project's development, as they ensure that users have a clear understanding of how the device operates and are provided with information about how their data is used and stored. We aim to create a user-friendly interface that provides clear explanations of the device's features and functionalities. Additionally, we will ensure that we are accountable for any errors or flaws in the device's operation and provide clear communication of any issues and rectify them in a timely and transparent manner.

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Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a crucial consideration when developing any project, especially one that involves storing sensitive user data in the cloud. Our Braille display device with voice recognition technology and a camera to scan text, we have taken the following measures to ensure maximum cybersecurity:

Data Encryption: For example, if the user logs into their cloud storage account to access their saved books, their username and password are encrypted into unintelligible code so that unauthorized individuals cannot gain access to their account.

Firewall: As an example, if an unauthorized individual tries to gain access to the device through a wireless connection, the firewall will prevent their attempt from succeeding by blocking their IP address.

Microsoft Azure Cloud: The Microsoft Azure Cloud Storage service provides many security features, such as encrypted communication channels, identity and access management, and threat detection. For instance, when the user uploads their books to the Microsoft Azure Cloud, it is scanned for viruses and malware before it is stored.

Two factor Authentication: For example, the device may require the user to speak a specific phrase and enter a password. In this way, the device will validate the user's identity using two separate identification methods.

HTTPS Protocol: For example, if the user is accessing their books in the cloud storage from a public Wi-Fi network, the data transmitted between the device and the cloud storage is encrypted and cannot be intercepted by unauthorized individuals.

Anti-Malware: As an example, if the user accidentally accesses a malicious website on their device, the anti-malware software will detect and prevent any unauthorized access that may infect the device.

Regular Security updates: For example, the device manufacturer may release software updates that address known vulnerabilities, mitigate potential threats, and maintain security measures with cutting-edge patches.

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Sources

[1] Leonardis, Daniele & Loconsole, Claudio & Frisoli, Antonio. (2018). A Survey on Innovative Refreshable Braille Display Technologies. 488-498. 10.1007/978-3-319-60597-5_46.

[2] https://www.emro.who.int/control-and-preventions-of-blindness-and-deafness/announcements/global-estimates-on-visual-impairment.html

[3] https://www.globalmarketestimates.com/market-report/digital-braille-displays-market-3664

[4] W. Yang, J. Huang, R. Wang, W. Zhang, H. Liu and J. Xiao, "A Survey on Tactile Displays For Visually Impaired People," in IEEE Transactions on Haptics, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 712-721, 1 Oct.-Dec. 2021, doi: 10.1109/TOH.2021.3085915.

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