Wearable Tech - BrainPort Vision Device Technology for the Blind

BrainPort Vision Device -See without the help of eyes…

One of the best wearable tech for the blind has been developed by neuroscientists. This amazing wearable tech will help the blind to get a different experience to interact with the environment. Developed by the neuroscientists of Wicab Inc., this device allows the blind to see without the help of eyes.

BrainPort vision device technology is defined as a wearable tech that translates the information/data from a digital video camera to the tongue of the users with a small electric simulation. In simple words, a camera image is just being transformed into something which users can feel and then see inside their heads. Hence it is used as a technology for the blind.

                                                                                                           A person with Brainport Vision Device

Parts of BrainPort Vision Device

Figure 1 shows the parts of brainport vision device. They are:

                                                                                                                    Parts of Brainport Vision Device

1. Digital Video Camera

Brainport vision device consists of a digital video camera placed in the pair of glasses as shown in the figure. Visual data is captured through the camera (1.5cm in diameter). Signals from the camera are then passed to the Brainport device along a cable and then to the lollipop-shaped stick, placed on the tongue.

2. Brain Port Balance

• Power Button: Used to start and stop the brain port balance.
• Control Unit:  This unit comprises of a CPU and Battery. CPU is used here to convert the digital output from the camera into electric pulses. Brain port balance works with the help of a battery.
• Lollipop shaped stick : It consists of Three Parts, they are:  Electrode Array, Simulation Circuitry, Accelerometer

                                                                                                                       Brainport Balance

Electrode Array

The electrode array is a square grid consisting of about 400 electrodes placed on the tongue. The control unit of the brainport vision device helps in conversion of the image into a black, grey and white picture. This picture is then recreated to the electrode array. Each electrode present in the array will provide an electronic pulse on the tongue according to how much light is present in the area of the picture. Usually strong pulse vibrations from the electrode array represent white pixels, medium pulse represent grey, and zero vibrations represent black pixels.

Stimulation Circuitry

It consists of

• User Interface: User interface allows selection of current and voltage mode.
• Processor: Configures the brainport device.

Accelerometer

Accelerometer is used on the other side of the electrode array to give information about body and head position to brain through electrical stimulation of tongue.

Working of Device

• Video camera collects visual information.
• A control unit translates the data and sends to electrode array on the tongue.
• Users tongue will feel the shape of the object seen.
• Electrical impulses given to the brain through nerves in the tongue will eventually help user to learn the shape of the object.

Advantages of Brainport Wearable Tech

• Gives information about shape, size, and location of objects.
• Users can operate it independently.
• Uses a battery that is rechargeable.

Drawbacks of Brainport Wearable Tech

• Frequent training to the brain is essential.
• Its cost is $10,000. Hence it is not affordable to the common.
• Have some side effects.