New app lets users 'lend' eyes to the blind

 

Toronto: A new app has been developed that makes use of cameras and generous volunteers to help the visually impaired accomplish everyday tasks using their smartphones. 

 

The app, "Be My Eyes", connects visually impaired users with sighted volunteers who help them with several tasks such as counting money, choosing an outfit or browsing the web. 

 

Through a direct video call, the app gives visually impaired people the opportunity to ask a sighted volunteer for help, for tasks that requires normal vision. 

 

The app uses the cameras on a visually impaired user's smartphone to show the sighted person what is in front of them, 'CTV News' reported. 

 

The sighted person then describes in detail the object or product in question to the visually impaired person over the phone. 

 

So far, there are 230,000 sighted people helping 19,000 visually impaired users through the app.