Image source: Engadget Suranga Nanayakkara and Roy Shilkrot, researchers at MIT Media Lab, have developed a new bluetooth camera that can be worn on a finger and used to detect objects. This camera has been designed keeping people with visual impairment in mind, and can perform various tasks (based on the “mode” selected) that will not only help perform everyday tasks but also assist in self learning. The concept of EyeRing is simple – a camera, connected via bluetooth to a phone or similar device that has voice output, is mounted on the user’s finger. The user points the camera at an object and presses the shutter button on the side. The camera takes a picture of the object and sends it to the phone, which detects the object and provides a voice response back to the user. Picture this: A visually impaired shopper goes to a store. He wears EyeRing on his finger and selects the “distance” mode and points ahead. EyeRing calculates the free space available and speaks out to the shopper. He then starts looking at shirts. He switches to “color” mode and points the camera at the shirts he is looking at. EyeRing detects the color [...]