[Nebraska-Senior-Blind] Seeing AI gets upgrade - if you use this app here is news

Fri Nov 3 12:11:30 UTC 2023

Hi You All (current or past members or friends)

RE: got this from a tech list I am on

Seeing AI Advances

Reading Mode <https://ophthalmicedge.org/patient/seeing-ai-gets-upgrade/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=seeing-ai-gets-upgrade#erm-popup-link> 

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a dominant force in technology, and it’s interesting to note that people with vision loss are benefiting from this development. In August 2017, we first reported the new Seeing AI app from Microsoft, an intelligent camera that translates images into words for people with low vision or blindness. The app is part of an ongoing research project, founded and led by software engineer Saqib Shaikh, who also worked on the development of Bing search and the Cortana voice assistant. He well understands the needs of people with vision loss, having lost his own sight at the age of seven.

It was a labor of love for Saqib Shaikh, and it appeared to be an incredibly magnanimous gesture on the part of Microsoft. They created the app (so far exclusively) for Apple iOS. The app was, and remains, free on the App Store. As Seeing Ai launched, they promised the “best was yet to come,” and we’d have to say, that is true.

Microsoft engineer and Seeing AI developer, 
Saqib Shaikh, smiles broadly as he uses the app. Image credit: Microsoft 

Seeing AI is now comprised of 10 channels, here is a rundown of the impressive lineup in version 5.2.

*	Short Text – If you’ve never used the app, this is a good reason to start. Point the camera at text and it will read it back to you, instantly. Use it to read, just about anything including: all kinds of signs, home and building addresses, mail, labels, tags and other inaccessible text you encounter every day.

*	Document – The camera guides you to photograph the entire document, then reads it back. Now, instead of reading the document from start to finish, you can ask Seeing Ai questions and get right to the information you’re looking for. For example, photograph a restaurant menu, then type or dictate a question like, “What are the chicken dishes?” Or photograph a receipt and ask for the price of a specific item.

*	Product – A barcode reader with audio guidance helps you find the code, then scans it. In the grocery store, for example, the code might identify the brand and flavor on the ice cream container, or the fat content of the milk, or if the bread is wheat or white.

*	Person – Use the camera to scan and tell you about the people nearby. Facial descriptions include an estimate of age and expression. Set face recognition to announce the name of someone you know when they come into view.

*	Currency – Select the paper currency you wish to identify (choose from 17 currency options) and hold the camera over a single note to hear the value.

*	Scene – Take a photo of a scene and hear a description. Explore the photo by moving your finger around the screen or tap tab for More Info.

*	World — A newly experimental channel that helps you navigate indoor environments, guided by special audio using headphones.

*	Color – Point the camera at an item and it will identify the color.

*	Handwriting – Written text must be right side up and performs best when writing is neat and legible. You may find the accuracy disappointing, but don’t give up on it, your feedback can help improve it.

*	Light – For users with no light perception, this channel indicates intensity and direction of light through audible tone and pitch changes.

The Seeing AI app is available in the App Store <https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/seeing-ai/id999062298?mt=8> . Coming soon (we hear) for Android. 

Feedback helps improve the app so do share your thoughts through the app or by email to  <https://ophthalmicedge.org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#025167676b6c65434b426f6b61706d716d64762c616d6f> [email protected]. Get quick help, and video tutorials, at the upper right corner on every channel.

Post originally published on Jan 19, 2018 and most recently updated Oct 26, 2023

https://ophthalmicedge.org/patient/seeing-ai-gets-upgrade/?utm_source=rss <https://ophthalmicedge.org/patient/seeing-ai-gets-upgrade/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=seeing-ai-gets-upgrade> &utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=seeing-ai-gets-upgrade

     David Goldfield 

Assistive Technology Specialist

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Robert Leslie Newman

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