How New Technology Helps Blind People Explore the World | Chieko Asakawa | TED Talks

How can technology help improve our quality of life? How can we navigate the world without using the sense of vision? Inventor and IBM Fellow Chieko Asakawa, who's been blind since the age of fourteen, is working on answering these questions. In a charming demo, she shows off some new technology that's helping blind people explore the world ever more independently ... because, she suggests, when we design for greater accessibility, everyone benefits.
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[@andy4an]

I've got a blind friend, and I am continuously amazed by the new tricks he comes up with for his smart phone. He doesn't just consume data, he is able to produce. I'm excited to see where this tech goes in the future.

[@ocean7657658]

+weesh ful amazing!

[@Ungata4life]

What sort of tricks can he do with his smart phone? I have a family friend whose child and blind and heavily dependent. What sort of tricks can your friend do that I could maybe look up for a friend?

[@andy4an]

he can google, ask questions, get an uber (his primary transportation), and a variety of other voice commands.

[@kangkinamtaggu6301]

Wonderful! I’m a blind myself, and I study with the help of technologies that are there today. I’m reallY inspired by this video.

[@ATEEKSTER]

Ted. The best channel on KZbin.

[@ultramegax]

Agreed

[@peterd5843]

+ATEEKSTER it's really good, but it's not the best

[@crazyblindman69]

A lot of negative comments from ignorant people very well done to the technology and the people that created this would be awesome for me as I am a martial artist that is totally blind that lost my eyesight around 14 years ago through having laser treatment down to my diabetes

[@DomsDocs]

*Wow super inspiring , Much love goes out to people trying to develop and innovate technology to help the visually impaired!

[@Elewing]

I am amazed at some of the negative comments, especially from other Blind people. Sure she should have stood during her talk, or walked on stage with her white cane, but maybe she was trying to make a point. As a visually disabled women I am amazed at what technology can help me do that at one point I had a hard time doing independently, Getting off a city bus at the right stop was a challenge until they put GPS and an auditory announcer on the buses. Just under 3 years ago I would have to ask the bus driver to let me off at a sacrifice spot and/or memorizing where I was in the route. when I go to college in September I will need to be shown were my classes will be and memorize that location because I can't see the room numbers. This is this is one of the reasons I am going into the software engineering field. I strongly believe that with all the negativity this lady has gotten that she is on the cutting edge of something BIG. something that will not only change our lives as visually disabled people but the lives its of everyone who is around this kind of technology. All throughput history anyone that had done anything amazing had critics and negative people being. this is no different!

[@HiAdrian]

*+Beverley Allardyce* Very cool, good luck with your studies!

[@rogeliomaldonado4745]

thats awsome that you're going to school to try and advance us blind and visually impaired people forward so that we can god willing integrate alot more easier into society I applaud you and everyone else whos work will not be in vain. So many blind ppl including myself pray for tech like this, honestly to just feel like we belong. thank you.

[@srinivasanraghunathan8656]

This is incredible. This is what required. I think in future, we can create something even better (a chip embedded inside our body) will ease the pain of the blinds. Anyhow, what Chieko Asakawa exhibits here is absolutely wonderful. Highly recommended.

[@daejuswaramgopinath3866]

Great inspiration. A great confident and optimistic speech. It made me speechless.

[@entreasolidaoeasolitude972]

It's gorgeous, this is awsome. Blind people isn't diferentes of us. this woman create new kind of the tecnologia for help us, congratulations.

[@SteveSmith-yg4kr]

I cried a little bit

[@geli816]

Truly amazing, I hope this turns into a reality and serve as an inspiration to promote more research in order to provide a sense of Independence to people with limitations.

[@shilandatstewart]

Amazing looking forward to the final technology. 👏👏👏

[@vanessaperrin9820]

"Accessibility Ignites Innovation" This is great

[@videoupload987]

💜💜 inspiring

[@takehikomori4559]

Technology & many inventions will help many disabled people a lot in the near future. That's awesome & exciting!

[@Kiy86]

Amazing！

[@Ironwyrm]

I wonder if this uses the same technology robots use to have spacial awareness and recognize emotions. Theres some interesting synergy there. Very inspiring video and best wishes to the people developing these resources!

[@Blaze-578]

"You gained 5 pounds yesterday; please take apple instead of chocolate" I guess humor is a universal language.

[@JustinKoenigSilica]

I love it when disabled people have a good sense of humor about their disability :)

[@giannifragali]

amazing

[@gnewsburst]

Inspirational! ^_^

[@Ndo01]

brilliant

[@LeonidasGGG]

If you implement this to give touch feedback from a camera in your glasses to on your chest, or even to the area around your eyes or forehead, this would release your hands and provide better engagement with others since. I've been kicking around this lowcost idea in my head for years, unfortunatelly I am not an engineer, nor do I have the money for such projects. Still, if anyone out-there sees this and improves on this idea, that would still mean something and help the blind of the world.

[@BeYourself24x7]

awesome

[@slumdoggy]

Hi my name is Frank, and I am totally blind. TED would you be willing to re release this video, with Audio Description? As I simply can not seee what she is doing or going. Thank you to anyone who can help. Much love, and so inspiring.

[@baotrinh1424]

People keep saying theyre blind and this video is offensive but what I really wanna know is how they are watching and commenting

[@roidroid]

First 5 mins are stories from her (blind) youth, and her career developing software to help blind ppl to read webpages. 5:40 This is where she introduces the new tech.

[@thoanguyen-sq4zk]

I know this'll take times, but I think we can use camera features to help the blind like insert images from the camera right into their brain (there're multiple techniques on sending things straight into brain right now)

[@sunnybee3882]

Thanks for the great video i'm blind to could you inform me or let me know and that application is going to be released on the iPhone thanks again God bless you

[@ftoonalahmari6833]

Sun Bee if you know about the name of application could you tell me please?

[@hanhtrinh3344]

the name app is navcog

[@zenarashid4422]

I am blind and I am truly excited about the app losing my Independence was the worst thing about losing my sight

[@rogeliomaldonado4745]

anyone know the update on this app ? Such a great piece of software integrated with the most powerful mobile device that we walk around with in our pocket everyday...our smart phone.There's been fails in blind tech but once this tech breaks through we'll just be getting started.

[@alexoliveira2160]

I like the video

[@user-yx9fw6vg4w]

今やこの人は高校の教科書に乗る人にまでなっています　強い(確信)

[@mphelemamahupe1020]

Please share the link to the project they open sourced

[@Markeez_]

Could you please give me the name of this app that she talked about it ..because I want it for my dad🙏

[@bluesilkdesigns]

There was a pop-up that asked if I wanted text and subtitles on this video lol :(

[@garrettfantin8001]

Wow! That is a very interesting app. What is the name of the app called?

[@fl00fydragon]

i was more amazed by the argus 2 and the eqivelant german synthetic eye so instead of having a cdomputer telling a blind person where to go and teather it to a camera / smartphone in other words we should put our efforts into making new eyes for the blind and if we could open the research and fund it we could expect it to be ready in 5 years

[@TaylorMurch]

While I don't disagree with the ideal of restoring blind people's sight first and foremost, you have to remember that the bionic eyes are only compatible with a certain type of blindness (and don't forget, the Argus 2 also depends on a glasses-mounted camera and a computer carried by the individual. The only other bionic eye I've come across also requires a wireless battery control outside of the patient's body. So, although I understand your criticism about "not seeing for themselves", bionic eyes of today still "tether them" to exterior technology in a different way). For that reason, I think it's equally important to develop tools, such as the one seen in this video, for those who do not fit the criteria of the bionic eyes. I view Asakawa's invention here as an important, innovative step. Think of how instrumental white canes are--they don't cure blindness, but no one would say that makes them useless. This technology is more like that--an invaluably helpful tool. And, unlike the bionic eyes, it seems to be something that can be used by any visually impaired person. Someday we may be able to cure blindness in a way that doesn't require external technology. I don't think it's within the reach of "five years", though, just from what I understand about the complexity of human sight, let alone the lengthy processes of the FDA. But, in my opinion, the promise of a someday doesn't mean that we ignore the possible steps available to us in the meantime. This tool has the promise of accessibility and improved independence, and I would never discredit that just because it doesn't biologically cure blindness.

[@mahadevbhakt4683]

i want to know about physically handicap people needs because i'm searching for new project depends on their needs

[@loon7034]

What is the app? I need to share it with blind friend

[@amirasaadel-din3506]

What is the name of this app? I am visually impaired and i need this app to help me walk

[@DonVitoCS2workshop]

does this app exist now?

[@mahadevbhakt4683]

if you have any idea so you can tell please

[@MediaSock]

This project is 1000% worth while, This tech will enrich blind people's lives ten fold, well done!!!

[@abdulmoizansari5076]

How many technology is for blind people mobility

[@letsgoiowa]

I showed this to my girlfriend, who is blind, and she immediately took issue with the way the audience seems to respond to her as if she's totally helpless makes her rage. She frames it as if she's completely disabled and not able to do anything without help--which is NOT the case anymore. She's extremely capable and really isn't all that disabled. She prefers "differently abled" because that's more accurate. She doesn't do things the normal way all the time, but she just does it differently; she isn't stopped from being a brilliant student, public speaker, or mother. To quote her, "I'm hella far from disabled." She wants less pity because it's so humiliating. She's not less capable of a person. In fact, she's higher achieving than every single sighted person I know in this world. It doesn't stop her.

[@alexiapoidevin4975]

I can't help but have pity. That doesn't mean I'm humiliating these people. I just have kinda some empathy for everyone by imagining myself in the same situation even if I'm not in that situation. Then I just feel like I wouldn't want at all to be in that situation that my empathy made me imagine, and it makes me have pity. I would never try to humiliate anyone, whatever its situation is. But I understand your girlfriend too and I would be the same in that situation. Of course when people treat her like she isn't able of doing anything it can really makes her angry. But understand that these people might not trying to humiliate her but just trying to help her because they think she needs that help though she doesn't. In this situation, no one is guilty. The people are just trying to do their best they can to help and your girlfriend has the right not to like it because it's like they put her as a different being with less capacities and I understand how annoying it can be for her.

[@alexiapoidevin4975]

+Alexia Poidevin So I think the thing is not to get angry after these non guilty people but just to explain to these people that she's able to make it all on her own. Then if they can understand it, your girlfriend will feel better I'm sure. Have a good continuation you and your girlfriend and happy new year!

[@procrasti86]

+letsgoiowa "careful what you wish, you may regret it careful what you wish, you just might get it" Don't forget there's a bunch of assholes out there as well, so if you keep going around asking people to stop feeling sorry for the less capable people, eventually they will. And that one time someone will need some help, he or she might not get it. Besides, who would we be if you take away our empathy?

[@busrakuzu5311]

İnspire💭💭💭💭💭💭💭

[@guygiarrusso8036]

Where find this technology my wife she’s blind

[@mohamedemam0]

عامل. اية يا حبيبي

[@TheKrensada]

her accent is so thick, I cannot possibly understand a single thing shes trying to say. Also she doesn't start actually getting to the point until about the 6 minute mark.

[@ekzemablya]

I bet you can't say a simple phrase in Japanese, I even not talking about the pronunciation, быдло.

[@TheKrensada]

keep telling yourself that. meanwhile the world keeps turning and i came to say what i needed to and will not waste no more of my time on you.

[@TheKrensada]

***** No it's not. and yeah, some people are easily amused by meaningless crap like this. I don't hold it against them though. whatever floats your boat. and also don't bother replying. I;ll delete without reading it.

[@procrasti86]

+TheKrensada "don't bother replying. I;ll delete without reading it" means you sir are a coward, unable to defend your opinion. If you don't care what people think why bother writing a comment? Meaningless crap? Sure, until you lose your sight; why did you watch the video in the first place?

[@realimereads2707]

@@TheKrensada Sounds like you don't know how to handle criticism lol. Maybe it's because english is my first language but her message came out clear to me.

[@SexualPotatoes]

I'm pretty sure she's spreading nothing but wisdom in this video, but I can't stand the accent. It's just too unpleasantly strong in this case.

[@realimereads2707]

Unpleasantly damn, can't lie I feel like you don't have an issue with her accent.

[@missionpossible7919]

As a blind individual I find this degrading honestly. Not the product because I would be the first to say I use technology and it's wonderful. But what got me is how dependent she is both on people and technology. Where is her cane? Why isn't she standing? She is blind not paralyzed. It's a public speaking role to stand. It commands presence and attention. Blind people aren't disabled but differently-abled and it's not amazing that a blind person is speaking in front of people or even holding a job like she is. I don't want people to believe all the misconceptions.

[@chelseameade9078]

She said she lost her sight because of an accident. Maybe that accident also affected her balance or something else that would prevent her from standing while speaking. And besides, she doesn't need to stand while speaking any more than a non-visually impaired person does. Just because she doesn't fit into your perception doesn't mean that she is wrong in doing whatever it is she wants to do during her speech.

[@procrasti86]

+MISSIONPOSSIBLE You don't want people to feel sorry for you and I understand that. Eradicating empathy though could lead to survival of the fittest. Would you survive? That one time your phone dies, you misplace your cane and need some help, people walk by and all you get in response is "I have problems of my own, don't have time for yours". Do you really wish to live in a world like that? I don't need the speaker to stand up, that's ridiculous. She came, she told her story and I listened. Not because she was sitting, nor was it because she's a woman, nor because she's blind. I listened because it was interesting. Splitting hairs is what you're doing. Trying to find offense where there isn't.

[@rogeliomaldonado4745]

This is how she felt comfortable, sitting so that if she gets disoriented she doesn't fall off the stage. I hear you though. The cane thing was most likely to demo the use case for this tech and that you might not even need a cane.If you're blind and a piece of tech that comes along with the chance of revolutionizing our way of life why use a cane? The cane to me is prehistoric in nature. swinging a 5 foot cane. I say out with the old in with the new.

[@MediaSock]

Did you not hear her, she was in a serious accident, you don't know what's she's been through, why are you judging her on something so insignificant, she's trying to help you.

[@mahadevbhakt4683]

i want to know about physically handicap people needs because i'm searching for new project depends on their needs