Many people wonder whether a dedicated reading pen like OrCam Read is worth the investment, given that there are free mobile apps available that can scan and read text aloud. The most advanced wearable assistive technology device for the blind and visually impaired, that reads text, recognizes faces, identifies products and more. Any type of text is instantly converted into audio for transmission, either through the device’s tiny speaker or a connected Bluetooth device.

The developers of OrCam have built their own, proprietary text recognition engine from the ground up. As you will soon see, however, you can access most essential OrCam features without using the physical Trigger button. A tiny built-in speaker or connected Bluetooth device reads the text selection aloud – in real time and offline. It has a camera, a speaker and a cable that hooks up to a bigger device that is roughly the size of a smartphone.During lockdown I’ve spent some time having a mini clear out, yet there is always one element that I seem to put off — paperwork.

Although it's possible to perform this task with Microsoft's Seeing AI app using my iPhone 8 Plus, it was nice to be able to use both hands to steady the envelope without having to juggle the phone and the envelope at the same time. MyEye PRO also includes a breakthrough new feature that helps orient users to their surroundings, announcing and providing directions toward objects that are between 6 and 30 feet away. With lockdown still limiting normal life, I do believe there are loads of potential benefits that I have not yet experienced. On a more serious note, I was on at least one occasion embarrassed by OrCam's insistent announcement that a man was in front of me when, in fact, it was a woman.The OrCam MyEye is the only wearable assistive technology device that is activated by an intuitive pointing gesture. It reads aloud any printed or digital text at the touch of a button, and can be used with or without earbuds. The intuitive device is operated by using simple hand gestures and has more than 20 voice-activated commands. The OrCam MyEye PRO wearable converts text to speech and uses AI to recognize faces, identify products and currency, and recognize colors.

Compared to the existing MyEye, it’s much smaller as it works without the cumbersome companion device. I often have to read him the daily newspaper and I know he would love to be able to get this information by himself. OrCam MyEye is suitable for adults and children with varying levels of low vision, or no vision, caused by any eye condition. The OrCam user guide instructs you to visit a Wi-Fi set-up page where you are asked to enter the name of your Wi-Fi network along with the password. I got it in Germany through my health insurance programme and I think this is a misuse of the money of German tax payers.Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Your equipment has allowed me to stay independent and I’m so thankful that I can continue to run my business! It is hard to find faults with this OrCam product and it is able to aid independence in many areas of daily life. Flom, I know it’s your business to market the visual aid machines, but I want to acknowledge your personal approach.