Brainport Vision Device helps a blind man "see"

Watch as Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind person to climb Everest and the Seven Summits, experiments with the Brainport Vision Device, a revolutionary new technology enabling a blind person to see with his tongue. Mounted on Erik's head is a small video camera which translates visual information to a credit card-size tongue display. Four-hundred tiny pixels present electrical patterns on his tongue, which Erik's brain then interprets as a visual picture in three-dimensional space. He uses the device to read words and numbers on note cards, to play tic-tac-toe and stone-paper-scissors with his daughter, and to rock climb. To learn more about Erik, go to www.TouchTheTop.com.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• BrainPort Vision Device
• erik weihenmayer
• adaptive technology
• blind climber
• adversity

[brilliantfranz]

I'm fcking speechless right now

[78illumiNOTi]

just wonderful-bravo-i salute the inventors of this-THANK-YOU-many in this world need this device.fantastic!!

[incogneterpeter]

they need to make it so its like glasses so they are like those spy glasses with a mini camera and it can do that pattern thin near the ears or something so they dont have to carry around that contraption all the time and stick the thing on his tounge

[malonemalo]

But will it blend?

[LavanF1restorm]

Sooooo... If you can use the nerves in the tongue as a passage for visual information to the brain then why can't you use those nerves to send audible information to the brain as well?

[jjovereats]

What about diagnosing why he's blind and apply this system OR the Bates method appropriately.

[tusaddaq]

at time like this you really think how lucky you are

[lishakara]

Wow. Amazing.

It's crazy to think that we've come this far-- In years to come, I am sure that this technology will be developed to the point where it becomes highly accessible and easy to use. It's a real gift. Wouldn't it be amazing for a blind person to be able to appreciate the visual arts? That's what I think would be the greatest achievement.

[ProgressiveRick]

Wow!



[mrcool450]

I think this is great :) no person deserves not being able to see