A pen which can transform Braille into English text has been developed by experts to help people with visual impairments.
The BBC reported that the handheld device was created by the University of Bristol. It looks like a whiteboard pen but includes a one-centimetre sensor with 19 channels programmed to read Braille aloud.
It effectively reads the Braille dots to transmit the information to technology such as a computer or headphones.
Lead author Dr George Jenkinson told the BBC that Braille literacy is declining despite the fact that visually impaired people “really value the ability to read Braille”.
The University said the pen would help visually impaired people, particularly in public spaces such as cash point machines and elevators. It added that the pen has demonstrated high accuracy in early trials.
Dr Jenkinson told BBC Radio Bristol: “We often hear of people who want to learn or have tried to learn but can’t because it’s quite difficult to access a teacher or independent learning material.
“This is to bridge that gap so people can learn independently and, even if not learning, this thing can read Braille for them.
“In an ideal case they would use it while learning, get the skill acquisition, then once you can read Braille you don’t need the pen.”
The university said they plan to extend the functionality of the device so that it is easier to operate accurately.
