TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Technology

IBM Scientist Develops AI to Transform Lives of People Who Are Visually Impaired

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With new apps comes more independence for people who are blind. credit: IBM
credit: IBM

Japanese-born Chieko Asakawa, now a technologist at IBM, was inspired to improve the lives of people who are visually impaired after she was injured in an accident as a teenager. (She was completely blind by age 14.) Today, Chieko Asakawa has already made huge contributions to accessibility research. She’s won many awards, including Japan’s Medal of Honour for her work. The IBM team’s latest idea uses AI to help people who are visually impaired to navigate complicated indoor locations via an app. Ultimately, the app will help people to use a cane less and to seamlessly navigate offices and other indoor spaces where mapping technology can’t do the job. Read more.

Intel’s New Wheelchair Can Tell Where You Want to Go By The Look On Your Face

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An scooter uses AI from Intel to help wheelchair users move forward and back with simple facial expressions
Credit: HOOBOX Robotics

A team of Brazilian researchers is fine-tuning “The Wheelie Kit”, which uses Intel’s RealSense 3D camera to add facial expression control to any motorized wheelchair. Sound complicated? To build the kit, yes. To use it, no (with some practice, of course). Intel’s target demo is people who lack the ability to move their body below the face or neck, but who can make facial expressions, such as a kiss, smile, a wink or raised brow that can be read by Intel’s AI capabilities (photo, above left). The state-of-the-art kit premiered at the AI for Social Good Initiative to rave reviews. (see a video) Wheelie Kits with HOOBOX Robotics are expected to arrive stateside in 2019. Read more.