BLAID – device for the blind from Toyota

Toyota maintains a division dedicated to projects that are not directly connected to the motor segment. One of such projects is called Blaid.

The Blaid is dedicated to help blind people to move in the world more easily. It is certainly a fabulous project! The Japanese company has developed a wearable that has a very particular way, it is reminiscent of an open collar that is based on the user’s shoulder and incorporates a number of sensors and cameras that helps to identify walks, stairs, doors and elevators.

The idea is not to replace guide dogs or walking sticks that help the blind to walk the streets. This device comes with the intention to provide blind people more information, more details and to become an additional help.

Toyota automobile technology at the service for the blind

Toyota’s device allows to provide more information than exists around the blind person. For example, if the person is in a place where there is a bank, the camera can detect and give this information. This will bring a more comfortable life for extrasensory perception acquired by technology. The data is transmitted to the user through impulses and vibrations.

But there is indeed a set of impressive technologies in Blaid. Voice recognition and a series of buttons allow the owner to interact with the device and Toyota doesn’t want to stay here. According to the company, the idea is to insert other features such as maps, identifying objects and recognition and even facial identification device.

“We are trying to fill this gap by providing extra information that a walking stick or a dog cannot provide” – said Doug More, responsible for robotics at Toyota.

When the project will be ready to use?

The project will soon be in beta, which means that Toyota will start making real tests on bling people and they will evaluate the device performance in real-world scenarios. The idea is, in the future, market the product with the seal Toyota expanding the brand beyond the automotive segment, but on the basis of development and research in the world of four wheels, which come many of these good ideas.