Toyota Project BLAID - solves 'Bell the Hybrid'

Source: Wearable Mobility Device for the Blind and Visually Impaired Being Developed by Toyota | Corporate

San Jose, Calif. (March 7, 2016) – Mobility is empowering. That’s why Toyota is working to develop a wearable device for the blind and visually impaired that will help them do more with greater freedom, independence and confidence. Called Project BLAID, it reflects the company’s commitment to enrich lives by advancing the freedom of mobility for all.

The device will help fill the gaps left by canes, dogs and basic GPS devices by providing users with more information about their surroundings. Worn around their shoulders, it will help users better navigate indoor spaces, such as office buildings and shopping malls, by helping them identify everyday features, including restrooms, escalators, stairs and doors.

The device will be equipped with cameras that detect the user’s surroundings and communicate information to him or her through speakers and vibration motors. Users, in turn, will be able to interact with the device through voice recognition and buttons. Toyota plans to eventually integrate mapping, object identification and facial recognition technologies.

“Project BLAID is one example of how Toyota is leading the way to the future of mobility, when getting around will be about more than just cars,” said Simon Nagata, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Toyota Motor North America. “We want to extend the freedom of mobility for all, no matter their circumstance, location or ability.”
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The video is beautiful but I think it needs a narrative or even a separate audio-only designed for the blind. As sighted, we can tell the size but the blind would have no hard data so I called them:

Hi Bob, here are the links to the video with audio descriptions for the blind. Thanks! Amy
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Bob Wilson

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I've put the 'blind' version in the first post. In our phone call, I mentioned that this dovetails with their automotive safety systems like lane keeping and accident avoidance. Just as they are making our cars safer, they are making pedestrians safer too.

Bob Wilson