Toyota Wearable Device Aims to Aid the Blind

Toyota Motor Co. has developed a prototype wearable device to help visually impaired people navigate their surroundings more easily.

The device fits on a person’s shoulders like a shawl and is meant to supplement rather than replace canes, guide dogs and other aids. Built-in cameras can read signs and identify restrooms, escalators, stairs and doors.

The device relays information to users through vibrations or verbally through speakers. Wearers also can interact with the system through voice recognition technology and control buttons. Future advances could include mapping, object identification and facial recognition software, Toyota says.

The company plans to begin beta testing the device later this year. Toyota developed the technology, tentatively called Project BLAID (combining “blind” and “aid”), under its 16-year-old Partner Robot initiative. The group previously has created robots that can pick up and carry objects, talk and play musical instruments.

Toyota also launched the Toyota Research Institute last year in partnership with Stanford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to develop artificial intelligence and robotics. The company notes that mobility technologies can provide insights for next-generation cars in addition to their own application-specific benefits.

Watch a video about Project BLAID here.