New device helps the blind to read

MIT researchers have created a wearable device called the FingerReader that can read out printed text using a synthesized voice, helping people who are visually impaired read books without the use of braille.

The FingerReader is the ring-like device which is worn on the finger and is equipped with a micro-camera which is responsible for scanning printed texts. When in use, the device produces an audio feedback on the texts captured by the camera with the help of open source software installed on the device. The device at this stage, however, only works with 12-point printed text.

At the moment the FingerReader is just a prototype and there are no immediate plans to take FingerReader to market.