An innovative self-driving system is in the process of being developed by DotLumen, a company based in Romania, to ease navigation for people with blindness or low vision. Following the principles set by the technology applied in Tesla, this device is equipped with six computer vision cameras located at the front. The system’s end goal is collision avoidance, which will allow the user to walk around with a minimum risk of bumping into objects.

Apart from the cameras, the headsets also contain a voice guide feature. This audio guide acts very importantly by warning users before approaching a crowded area. Such notices inform users about their surroundings and allow for better movement decisions.

The battery life with the headset is for about 2.5 hours and is good enough for one of the shorter walks. For those users who needed more power, however, they could recharge it with a USB-C battery pack to allow for longer outdoor activity.

DotLumen has been testing the headsets at a hard-hitting locus, the Consumer Electronics Show, where low ceilings and narrow walkways crisscross heavy foot traffic. In such settings, the audio guide of the headset gives enriching feedback on how far the space actually runs out. Still, the users could successfully traverse the busy area without running into anyone much at all.

In future plans, DotLumen will bring the upcoming headset to Europe for sale. Its expected pricing will be set under €10,000, which should illustrate a far lesser cost compared to that for training a guide dog. In the United States, however, the Guide Dog Foundation’s spending on the entire process of breeding, raising, training, and then placing an assistance dog amounts to almost $50,000.

However, for now, there have been some early indications that the headset technology may be effective in the long run for individuals with mild vision loss. As DotLumen prepares to unveil its offering, this device may very well represent another avenue for increased freedom and confidence for a person with visual impairment.

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