Eyra is a start-up company looking to use machine learning and computer vision to do exactly that with the help of a wearable technology called Horus. The starting point of this technology is a pair of Aftershokz headphones that has a camera module attached to the right side. This module has two Full HD mobile cameras that hang off the side of your head. This headset is connected through a micro USB cable to a black plastic box with a battery inside. The battery has enough power to sustain the device for a full day. Unlike other comparable visual aids, Horus processes information locally so it is not dependent on a wireless connection.
At the moment, Horus is designed to read text, identify objects and recognize faces of the people you are talking to. There are 3 buttons on the black box which will let you select which of the 3 actions is to be performed.
This start-up, which was created by students from the University of Genoa, was originally intended to be a computer vision system for robots to navigate. During their research process, they found that this technology could be applied in different ways, thus leading them to start development of a portable version of their original technology that will provide more aid to those with visual impairments.
