Be My Eyes: Hans Jørgen Wiberg at TEDxCopenhagen

Be My Eyes may have solved a problem that potentially could make life a bit easier for blind people all over the World, and may have made a tiny revolution in the world of volunteering. Hans Jørgen Wiberg is visually impaired and got the idea of a volunteer video service for the blind using the great cameras in todays smartphones. From that idea he founded Be My Eyes with the vision of becoming a global micro-volunteering platform on iPhone providing help for the blind. With Be My Eyes he hopes to rethink traditional volunteering, and provide meaningful and much needed help for the blind.
Hans Jørgen is trained in philosophy and works as a craftsman, but is first and foremostly an idea-starter with a deep interest in society, arts & technology -- with focus on access for all no matter their handicap!
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@Tina-un9qt]

Thank you

[@l.c.cooper9714]

This is actually more relevant and important to me then either JAWS and VoiceOver. Thank you for creating such an ingenious and practical application. You have made the world a better place.

[@regreal]

That one person that click thumbs down should be a shame of themselves. This was a good tedtalk plus a great idea for the visionally impaired

[@PauIdenino]

They probably thought it was the like button. They should've used the app :D

[@DerReDxGer]

I'm using this app and it is awesome! This app was a brilliant idea!

[@georgiaval1]

I am a volunteer, and I love when I get a call. Just for a brief moment, I am volunteering some much needed help.

[@luciangbm]

amazing. Hans is a great guy

[@rosannaconti6985]

Thank you for developing this app.

[@FutureCommentary1]

Thumbs up even before I watch the video.

[@e_Suluk]

شكراً جزيلاً

[@janetshapiro4669]

Hans Jorgen Wiberg is an amazing man. Mensch, as I like to say. Be My Eyes is a wonderful organization, an incredible app. I learned about it at my synagogue's Mitzvah Day last month; and I immediately signed up. I want to help visually impaired and blind people in any way I can. It is my little part of Tikkun Olam, making the world a better place.

[@Chemo....658]

Excelente Iniciativa y me encanta ser nuevo voluntario desde Lima Perú

[@jeffamunoz]

*Downloaded the app just now, and turned my notifications on so that I hear the alert. Currently there are 5 million volunteers, and 326,648 blind people on the app. I am ready, as the volunteers are ready to help at the alert!*

[@musheerahmad4707]

Congratulations, You have done a great job. By this app you have helped millions of blinds across the globe. I am from India and I am proud to say I am a frequent user of Be My Eyes app and very satisfied of it. May God bless you

[@pacoruano47]

Solo puedo decir, gracias gracias gracias, muchísimas gracias y que dios le premia por tan buena accion Francisco Ruano, Martínez, Madrid España

[@lindacrotteau7838]

Well I really enjoyed this TED talk by Hans about Be My Eyes. He is very inspiring and I am happy to now be a new member volunteer with this very innovative app. Thanks for advertising on FB!

[@chiandyen]

I love this app ❤

[@uptonogood6078]

Thank you, Have you ever considered volunteering to make this world a little bit better, but you didn’t have the time? It was too complicated to squeeze into your schedule and so on? Well, now you can. Now there is an App for that. But let’s start somewhere else: Imagine you’re blind. Imagine you’re standing in your kitchen cooking dinner. The recipe says: “Add a can of coconut milk.” You open your kitchen cupboard, on the shelf, there are 3 cans. You know that only one of them is coconut milk. What do you do? Well, you might gamble. Not a good idea, I can tell you. What you do is; you put on your jacket, grab the cans and your cane, and for the second time that day you walk over to your neighbor thinking: “He’s so helpful, I better ask him over for coffee soon. ”You ring his doorbell and ask him to pick out the coconut milk. There are a lot of situations like this in a blind person’s everyday life. Situations where you need a pair of eyes, just for a short moment. We all know situations like: When does this milk expire? How do I keep track of my electricity use? Or checking yourself in the mirror. It’s okay to ask your neighbor for help once in a while, but there is a limit. And you don’t want to push your luck too much. The reason why I am so engaged in this, is because I’m visually impaired myself. I was born with a normal 180-degree-vision and over the years it has decreased to now 5 degrees. If I look straight ahead right now, I can see 2 people. Thank you for coming. (laughter) Now I work for Danish blind society and in a 3-year-period, my job was to visit blind people in their home as a consultant, advising about how to cook with visual impairment. And I very often heard people say: “Oh, if I just had a pair of eyes once or twice a day, I could really do a whole lot more on my own. And I wouldn’t have to ask friends and family for help.” “Be My Eyes” is my little magic trick, where you can, as a blind, where you can ask for help without really asking. Where you can let people into your house without really letting them into your house. “Be My Eyes” is an App, an IPhone App, an App that makes a video connection between the blind person’s IPhone and normally sighted persons’ IPhones. The first (?) was among my blind friends. They already use Skype or Facetime on their IPhones to make this video connection. But they still have to call friends and family and again: ask for help. What makes “Be My Eyes” different, is, instead of calling your friends and family, you call a “Be My Eyes”-volunteer. And as the blind, you can be sure that the volunteer is more than willing to help you, because that’s why he or she signed up to be a volunteer. The “Be My Eyes”-volunteer just takes a look at his IPhone and says: ”It’s the coconut milk on the left.” Without even entering your house. And you don’t have to offer him coffee, you can just say thank you and get on with the cooking. “Be My Eyes” is a whole new way to be a volunteer. It’s the most easy and convenient way to do it. And I like to call it “micro-volunteering”. And you can volunteer from everywhere. Whenever you have a break at work, standing in line at the supermarket or even lying on your couch at home. Whenever we have a break, many of us play casual games like Angry Birds, Jelly Splash or Fruit Ninja. I love the names. I think we can do better. (laughter) Instead of playing casual games, we can do casual micro-volunteering and I hope, I’m sure, “Be My Eyes” will be an alternative for those who want to do better. To make this a reality, we have set up “Be My Eyes” as a non-profit organization and our goal is to connect blind and sighted people all over the world. Being able to see yourself in the mirror every morning is not something we can take for granted. But with your eyes and “Be My Eyes” we can look into the mirror together and maybe make this world a little bit better. Thank you.

[@mansibhatt6633]

Then how did you hear this video if you're deaf I mean not to be rud but just asking e

[@ShiranaiSonzaisha]

They never said they were deaf. They gave a transcript of his entire tedtalk. Someone who is deaf CAN read this since they cannot hear it. That is the primary reason to type a transcript for people. The secondary is if someone "doesn't feel like" they have the "time" to watch the whole video so want others to distill it down for them. What I learned recently however is that almost every major news website has their transcripts posted for videos. I don't think they are easy to find but they are there. I just searched to find a video and only remembered one sentence someone said. I typed that in google and suddenly was presented with the entire transcript of that interview. So I would suspect ted talk would have this as well.

[@jojopemb2218]

Uptonogood This was so beautifully written!’

[@cositainquieta]

Spanish translate, please 🙇‍♀️ 🤗☀️

[@icraftcrafts8685]

@@cositainquieta Gracias, ¿Alguna vez has considerado ofrecerte como voluntario para hacer este mundo un poco mejor, pero no tuviste tiempo? ¿Era demasiado complicado para encajar en su agenda y demás? Bueno, ahora puedes. Ahora hay una aplicación para eso. Pero empecemos por otro lado: imagina que estás ciego. Imagina que estás parado en tu cocina cocinando la cena. La receta dice: “Agregue una lata de leche de coco”. Abres el armario de tu cocina, en el estante hay 3 latas. Sabes que solo uno de ellos es la leche de coco. ¿A qué te dedicas? Bueno, podrías apostar. No es una buena idea, te lo puedo decir. Lo que haces es; te pones la chaqueta, agarras las latas y el bastón, y por segunda vez en el día te acercas a tu vecino pensando: “Es tan servicial, mejor lo invito a tomar un café pronto. “Tocas el timbre de su puerta y le pides que escoja la leche de coco. Hay muchas situaciones como esta en la vida cotidiana de una persona ciega. Situaciones en las que necesitas un par de ojos, solo por un breve momento. Todos conocemos situaciones como: ¿Cuándo caduca esta leche? ¿Cómo hago un seguimiento de mi consumo de electricidad? O mirándote en el espejo. Está bien pedirle ayuda a su vecino de vez en cuando, pero hay un límite. Y no querrás tentar demasiado a tu suerte. La razón por la que estoy tan involucrado en esto es porque yo mismo tengo una discapacidad visual. Nací con una visión normal de 180 grados y con los años ha disminuido a 5 grados. Si miro al frente en este momento, puedo ver a 2 personas. Gracias por venir. (Risas) Ahora trabajo para la sociedad danesa de ciegos y en un período de 3 años, mi trabajo consistía en visitar a las personas ciegas en su hogar como consultora, aconsejándolas sobre cómo cocinar con discapacidad visual. Y muy a menudo escuché a la gente decir: “Oh, si solo tuviera un par de ojos una o dos veces al día, realmente podría hacer mucho más por mi cuenta. Y no tendría que pedir ayuda a amigos y familiares”. “Be My Eyes” es mi pequeño truco de magia, donde puedes, como un ciego, donde puedes pedir ayuda sin realmente preguntar. Donde puede dejar que la gente entre a su casa sin realmente dejarlos entrar a su casa. “Be My Eyes” es una aplicación, una aplicación para iPhone, una aplicación que establece una conexión de video entre el iPhone de una persona ciega y los iPhone de una persona con visión normal. El primero (?) fue entre mis amigos ciegos. Ya usan Skype o Facetime en sus iPhones para hacer esta conexión de video. Pero todavía tienen que llamar a amigos y familiares y nuevamente: pedir ayuda. Lo que hace que "Be My Eyes" sea diferente es que, en lugar de llamar a sus amigos y familiares, llama a un voluntario de "Be My Eyes". Y como ciego, puedes estar seguro de que el voluntario está más que dispuesto a ayudarte, porque por eso se inscribió como voluntario. El voluntario de “Be My Eyes” simplemente echa un vistazo a su iPhone y dice: “Es la leche de coco de la izquierda”. Sin siquiera entrar a tu casa. Y no tienes que ofrecerle café, solo puedes decir gracias y seguir cocinando. “Be My Eyes” es una forma completamente nueva de ser voluntario. Es la forma más fácil y cómoda de hacerlo. Y me gusta llamarlo “micro-voluntariado”. Y puedes ser voluntario de todas partes. Siempre que tengas un descanso en el trabajo, haciendo cola en el supermercado o incluso tumbado en el sofá de tu casa. Cada vez que tenemos un descanso, muchos de nosotros jugamos juegos casuales como Angry Birds, Jelly Splash o Fruit Ninja. Me encantan los nombres. Pienso que podemos hacerlo mejor. (Risas) En lugar de jugar juegos casuales, podemos hacer microvoluntariado casual y espero, estoy seguro, que “Be My Eyes” sea una alternativa para aquellos que quieren hacerlo mejor. Para que esto sea una realidad, hemos establecido “Be My Eyes” como una organización sin fines de lucro y nuestro objetivo es conectar a las personas ciegas y videntes de todo el mundo. Poder verse en el espejo cada mañana no es algo que podamos dar por sentado. Pero con tus ojos y “Be My Eyes” podemos mirarnos al espejo juntos y tal vez hacer que este mundo sea un poco mejor. Gracias.

[@evecollins6884]

Thank you, thank you, for Your brilliant mind, For millions of people that have Loss, Limited vision!!! This device is Truly a God sent💝

[@HeatherWithrow]

Can someone be my ears and caption this TEDx talk about be my eyes so that I may have access, too? I am deaf.

[@cassandraperkins1507]

Heather Withrow you can select the cc below the video and it will provide closed caption it for you.

[@HeatherWithrow]

I'm aware of Google auto captions, they are unreliable... have you tried them yourself? For example, kitchen is "Kick In". It's dependent on the speaker's clarity. Hans' clarity is pretty good but not all speakers/videos are good like this one. I'm constantly checking the subtitles and Hans' lips to make sure the words match up... that's how I knew he said "kitchen" and not "kick in" like the captions said. Constantly decoding can be so tiring. So, there's an app for blind people, I cant wait for an app for Deaf people to perfectly understand what a hearing person is saying.

[@jdfguthrie]

Hello Heather let me try and see if I can help

[@jdfguthrie]

I just realized your request was 2 years old, I would assume someone volunteered by now. I am so sorry Its my first time watching this video

[@seda5112]

Cassandra Perkins The captions dont work well most of the time plus that guy has an accent

[@nickinwood3808]

For me in the last two years I have gone from perfect vision to now where I lose central vision in both eyes, I can't see people's faces or read very well..I use an iPad with the built in magnifying glass and zoom. I have ask my eldest aged 9 to help me know how long to cook items for as I can't read the small writing. About 5% of people are totally blind, everyone else has central vision or perifial...I'm no where near as bad as a lot but it is good to have support when needed nd don't have to annoy neghbors for help

[@bethboudoin5680]

Nick Inwood It is nice to hear from people who truly understands our daily challenges.

[@Pack.Leader]

I love this! I'm going to look into how this actually works.

[@Zitakim.25]

Ich habe Be my Eyes bei Facebook gesehen und bin fasziniert darüber wie einfach man einem anderen Menschen helfen kann. Es ist wirklich einzigartig und amazing! Bisher konnte ich schon 2 Blinden und 1 sehbehinderten Menschen helfen und ich hoffe es werden noch sehr viel mehr. ❤

[@foxesandclouds8030]

i have just signed up to volunteer for this app as i love helping people, i am so so excited for my first call

[@WeLoveYouAfrica]

Brilliant idea, glad to help any time.

[@Zaptoid]

2013? Wow, I only found out about this a month ago. Subbed and ready to serve our local visually impaired community!

[@yogeshkad6928]

Thank you sir making this app this app is very good this is the eighth wonder of world

[@deenibeeniable]

I am a sighted person with a pretty severe social phobia. I was thinking that volunteering could help me too! I'm still a little scared to actually sign up.

[@jordanthecat]

I just signed up as a volunteer and haven't received my first call yet. I will be a bit nervous the first time I get a call, but I'm sure that after that first call, you and I won't be so scared any more.

[@deenibeeniable]

Let me know how it goes.

[@ephemerallimerence8412]

I have a tough time socialising too. I got really scared when I first signed up for it. Scared as to how my first call would go. But it was actually great! and the feeling after helping them is the best one ever. You feel good about yourself and about helping someone in need. I hope you get the courage to sign up soon!

[@dheyes803]

As a sighted volunteer for many years, I have found BME to be the most refreshing and feel-good way to help others. I got my very first call and the gentleman who needed help was so thankful that I was able to assist him. Once the call was over, I felt empty because I felt that I needed to do more. This experience made my week. I have since received another call but I could not respond at that time. When you sign up you are going to wonder when your first call will come in. Once you complete that call, your whole world changes for the better.

[@MrMk3925]

Have you signed up yet?

[@homesteadingheather6155]

I love this app. I signed up a month ago and have had one call. Hope I get more soon :)

[@homesteadingheather6155]

Oh, and I have it on an android.

[@Deanawat]

It's available for androids now!

[@bobmason83]

Just signed on , we must all help each other .

[@fatemehzamani8255]

How can i find it for android??

[@armanrahmanar5606]

Keep going sir we are happy to help 😊

[@maelenagomez2098]

GRACUAS GRACIAS GRACIAS ? LA APP BE MY EYES ES DE MUCHO SERVICO YO LA UTILIZO Y ESTOY MUU AGRADECIDA DIOS LOS BENDIGA

[@slimal1]

I approve of this message.

[@bhimram1313]

Nice sir

[@arnabbiswasalsodeep]

Share this video more people! Raise awareness! Its now available for Android as well since September 2017. Help others out when you can! 💙

[@l7bsi]

He called our school by Skype today

[@user-oo2pg1qr5u]

I have low vision and it is getting lower. I would like to. Become a volunteer . Please show me how

[@chrismuckley9420]

I think it would be better to cure blindness. I have been studying for 11 years and think I can, but lack resources and facilities.

[@kroomalanzi3131]

😍👌🏻

[@mansibhatt6633]

How do you create the app

[@esraahassan5016]

Mansi Bhatt, you just install the application from the Appstore

[@mariapaulaAA]

La descargué hace como 3 meses y nunca he recibido una llamada🙊

[@Belen_7654]

Que incomodo que se rian de cosas que dice, pero que son incomodas para el mismo. La app es buenisima lo tengo para ser voluntaria.

[@somedude5990]

This is the type of video that no one dislikes. Dislikes: 0

[@matinsalsa425]

CIII I LeGeND Dynasty it could just be a bot

[@iownadodge7081]

C III, or could be a mistake... maybe a kid...I like to think it was a two year old hammering on mom’s ipad as the mom turned for a split second to grab a toy, LOL 😍

[@amaralaminbangura7958]

Can someone too be my eyes ,as we know the topic eyes ,I need a strong relationship?! Banks

[@riacharda]

I'm actually curious... do blind people cook?

[@thelittlearmadillo]

why not?

[@bpali2001]

They do

[@seda5112]

PaulBeats how

[@recynd77]

riacharda My grandmother was blind. She could cook, ride buses around town, go to the market (with some help), take care of my grandpa, and even read Braille. She was an inspiration. ♥️

[@cocoapuffs7195]

LOL Yes we do 😉😎

[@mrinalmandal9392]

Hello sir I am renal

[@ccy2409]

흑;; 다 영어다.우짜노 ㅠㅠ

[@vitalii-orlenko]

Поставил апп.ни единого желающего за 3 месяца.

[@chainehassania1326]

كاين شي مغربية هنا

[@tarcilovas2806]

Jesus cant blind people just open their eyes