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How Does Envision Work?

Published in Visual Assistance Technology 3 mins read

The Envision app is an advanced visual assistance technology designed to empower people with low vision or blindness by transforming the visual world into accessible information. It works by combining a user's device camera with artificial intelligence to interpret and describe the surroundings.

Core Functionality

At its heart, Envision operates on a simple, intuitive principle: users interact with their environment by pointing their device's camera and selecting a desired function.

  • Camera Interaction: To activate a function, users position their smartphone or a pair of Envision Glasses so the camera is pointed over an object, text, or any area of interest. This acts as the "eyes" for the AI.
  • Function Selection: Once the camera is focused, users select a button or command of their choice within the app's interface. This tells Envision what kind of information they need—whether to read text, identify an object, or get a general description of a scene.
  • AI Processing & Output: The app then captures the visual data, sends it through its AI-powered recognition systems, and processes it in real-time. The results are delivered back to the user as either a spoken visual description (auditory) or transcribed text (for compatible display devices like refreshable braille displays).

Key Features of Envision

Envision leverages various AI capabilities to provide a comprehensive suite of tools for daily living. These features are designed to be quick and easy to use, providing immediate access to visual information.

Feature Area What it Does
Instant Text Reads short pieces of text aloud instantly, such as labels, signs, or product packaging, without needing to capture a full document.
Document Text Scans and reads entire documents, books, or letters. It can handle various layouts and even export the text for later use.
Identify Objects Recognizes and describes objects in the user's vicinity, helping them find items, distinguish products, or understand their environment.
Scene Description Provides a general overview of a complex scene, describing elements like people, objects, and the overall environment (e.g., "A busy street with cars and pedestrians").
Detect People Identifies and describes people, including their estimated age, gender, and even emotions, helping users understand social interactions.
Explore Offers a real-time exploration mode, continuously speaking out what's in front of the camera as the user moves it around.
Barcode Scanner Scans barcodes to retrieve product information, which can be useful for shopping or identifying specific items.
Color Detection Identifies and speaks the names of colors, useful for clothing, art, or any situation requiring color differentiation.

Underlying Technology

Envision is powered by sophisticated Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computer vision technologies, including:

  • Optical Character Recognition (OCR): For accurately recognizing and transcribing text from images into digital format.
  • Object Recognition: Algorithms trained on vast datasets to identify and categorize thousands of different objects.
  • Facial Recognition & Analysis: For identifying people and interpreting their expressions.
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP): To generate coherent and natural-sounding descriptions from the visual data.

Practical Applications and Benefits

Envision is a powerful tool for enhancing independence and accessibility in numerous everyday scenarios:

  • Reading Mail: Quickly read letters, bills, or notices without assistance.
  • Shopping: Identify products by their packaging, read ingredients, or check prices.
  • Navigating Environments: Understand public signs, bus numbers, or explore new places with more confidence.
  • Social Interaction: Recognize friends or interpret non-verbal cues.
  • Daily Tasks: Find misplaced items, choose matching clothes, or read cooking instructions.

By providing instant auditory or tactile feedback on visual information, Envision significantly reduces barriers and empowers individuals with visual impairments to engage more fully with the world around them.