25 Class 8-12 students of Institute for the Blind, Sector 26, Chandigarh get light weight wearables with attached device, embedded with a chip, two cameras, sensors, audio, etc to enable the visually impaired and blind to enjoy reading and safely navigate their way through obstacles while on the go
Society for the Care of the Blind appeals for more donations for betterment of the Institute for the Blind, which enjoys high credibility
Rotarians belonging to various Rotary Clubs in Chandigarh tricity, joining hands with NGO Vision-Aid India, on Monday initiated a noble activity, after reading about which, I am sure, many of us would be delighted to join – providing AI-assisted smart vision to visually challenged children, making their reading easier and enjoyable, and navigation through obstacles safer.
The latest smart vision glasses (https://youtu.be/VAaVXs4WfoI), designed, patented and manufactured by Bengaluru-based SHG Technologies, gifted to 25 students of the Institute for the Blind, in Sector 26, Chandigarh, brought cheer to the beneficiaries studying in classes 8 to 12 and their families, and a visible sense of satisfaction on the faces of the donors.
And the donors left with a promise of more to the 170-odd students of the institute. If the feedback about the efficacy of the devices is good, then Rotarians will consider repeating the activity next year, assured the project director Rtn AP Singh on behalf of the Rotarians.
Hailing the initiative by the Rotarians as a life-changing gesture for the visually challenged students, Dinesh Kumar Kapila, Senior Vice President of the Society for the Care of the Blind, which runs the institute in Sector 26, Chandigarh, appealed to other citizens, associations, organisations, NGOs and corporates through their CSR funds to join the noble effort to further empower the visually challenged children, almost all of whom are from poor families.
Chief guest Rtn Rajpal Singh, immediate past district governor of Rotary District 3080, under whom project ‘SuDrishti’ was launched last year in association with Vision-Aid to provide smart vision glasses to the visually impaired and the blind, inspired the visually challenged students to resolve and work hard on their inner strengthens to achieve whatever they dream of.
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He expressed his special gratitude to two Rotarians, Rtn Hari Om Verma of Rotary Chandigarh Uptown and Rtn PJ Singh of Rotary Club Chandigarh for contributing Rs.5 lakh and Rs.2.5 lakh respectively for the project, and to Vision-Aid for matching Rotary’s contribution.
Rtn AP Singh further informed that each device has cost Rs.36,750. Rotary District 3080 and Vision-Aid raised Rs.15 lakh for 40 pieces of these glasses, out of which 25 have been distributed among students of Class 8 to 12 at the Institute for the Blind, Sector 26, today while the remaining 15 would be distributed to the needy in other parts of District 3080.
He said that these glasses have an electronic brain and their AI capabilities would enable the children to detect objects, read in multiple languages with the device reading the text and conveying it in voice, navigate easily with obstacle-alerts while walking, identify people with facial recognition, and even share images and location, and store information. The glasses are compatible with all light conditions, and children would not need scribes in writing their exams.
Later talking to your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com, Dinesh Kumar Kapila informed that the society is running the institute solely with regular donations from well-wishers, many of them not even willing to take credit for the noble cause.
The Institute for the Blind is currently packed to capacity. It has 170+ students, with more than 100 of them housed in separate boys’ and girls’ hostels and the rest being day boarders. It’s annual running expenditure is estimated to be between Rs 4-5 crore, including salaries of 60+ staff.
So, how can donors help?
Informs Kapila, there can be four-five types of donations:
- Sponsoring a day’s breakfast, lunch or dinner (Rs 7,000-8000 each)
- Donating equipment like computers, laptops with special software, etc
- Building new infrastructure, making additions to/renovating existing infrastructure
- Contributing towards general expenditure
- Donating transport vehicle like bus, van, etc.
About SHG Technologies
SHG Technologies believes that vision should never be a barrier to independence. Driven by the challenges faced by the visually impaired community, the promoters of the company set out on a mission to create innovative solutions that enhance mobility, confidence, and daily living. With the support of Vision-Aid India and Narayana Nethralaya, the company is transforming lives through Smart Vision Glasses and AURA Vision Glasses, bringing technology and accessibility together to make the world more inclusive for everyone.
Smart Vision Glasses in detail
Smart Vision Glasses is a wearable device for the blind and visually impaired that utilizes Artificial Intelligence, Machine Vision, and Machine Learning. With its electronic brain (artificial intelligence), the device transforms their world of darkness into a more interactive, interesting, and independent experience. They can now read their favourite books, stay updated with news from magazines and newspapers, and even write exams without the need for scribes.
The device is designed to address the needs of individuals suffering from conditions such as Blindness, Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Retinitis Pigmentosa, severe Glaucoma, Cataract, and other visual impairments.
What Makes Smart Vision Glasses Unique?
- Multilingual Support: Beyond English, Smart Vision Glasses provide robust support for Indian regional languages, ensuring inclusivity for diverse users across India.
- Advanced Object Detection: Equipped with cutting-edge object detection technology, ensuring enhanced environmental awareness.
- Obstacle detection: A unique combination of a proximity sensor and algorithms offers added safety by alerting users about the obstacles, ensuring secure navigation.
- Hands free Activation: Once connected to the mobile phone, the device can be used without frequently opening the phone.
- Currency Detection: can accurately detect and identify both Indian and Kuwaiti currencies, empowering users in financial transactions.
- Offline Functionality: Many features, including text reading, object detection, and obstacle detection, work efficiently without an internet connection, ensuring uninterrupted assistance anywhere.
- A Holistic Solution: Smart Vision Glasses integrate AI and practical usability, such as reading signboards, identifying objects, and assisting with walking through intelligent algorithms.
How Smart Vision Glasses Transform Lives for the Blind?
- Object Recognition: Detects vehicles, obstacles, traffic signals, zebra crossings, furniture, and more, helping users navigate their surroundings safely.
- People Identification: Recognizes individuals, estimates approximate age, detects expressions, and identifies known individuals when names are linked.
- Text Reading Capabilities: Reads books, road signs, and even handwritten manuscripts, bridging the gap to information access.
- Currency Detection: Accurately identifies Indian and Kuwaiti currencies, assisting with financial transactions.
- Obstacle Detection: Ensures secure navigation by alerting users.
- Emergency Calling: Users can place a call just with a tap in times of emergencies.
