OrCam Technologies Inc. is introducing a new augmented artificial intelligence (AI) companion to its MyEye device, designed to support individuals with visual impairment.
Refresh me on OrCam.
Based in Israel, OrCam was launched in 2010 with a focus on personal AI assistive technology platforms. Its founders previously co-founded Mobileye, a company that harnesses AI and computer vision to deliver autonomous driving and driver-assistance technologies in vehicles.
Comparatively, OrCam is leveraging AI-driven computer vision and machine learning to support patients who are blind, visually impaired, or have hearing loss.
And its products?
The company’s lineup of AI-powered technology includes:
- OrCam MyEye (more details below)
- A wearable, voice-activated device for visual impairment
- Pro → for reading and daily activities
- Smart → for reading activities
- A wearable, voice-activated device for visual impairment
- OrCam Read
- An intuitive handheld device for reading activities to assist with certain levels of visual impairment
- OrCam Read 3
- Introduced in November 2023 (see our coverage here)
- Portable and intuitive device for assisting visually-impaired individuals with reading fatigue, vision loss, or those who find reading difficult.
- Includes next-generation magnification, handheld reading capabilities, and an AI interactive assistant.
Real quick: didn’t the Read 3 have an update as well?
It did! The company also unveiled a new “Just Ask” feature for the device, which includes an AI-powered magnifier designed to be tailored to a user’s specific visual needs.
The new interactive capability allows the device to capture an image of any text / handwriting, then complete the following actions:
- Summarizing the text
- Read the full text aloud
- Answers any follow-up questions related to the text (or beyond) via Internet sources
Now let’s talk more about this OrCam MyEye device.
The MyEye device is a wearable assistive technology that can utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to read aloud text from any digital or printed source for the user.
The technology can be attached to “virtually any pair of glasses” for people who are blind or visually impaired, and features Smart Reading, an add-on that enables users to find specific information with voice commands.
How many versions are there?
- OrCam MyEye Smart
- OrCam MyEye Pro
The main difference between the two: the MyEye Pro includes additional capabilities such as facial recognition, identification of products and colors, as well as barcode readers. See here for details on each.
Gotcha. Now what’s this new AI addition?
The augmented AI expands both versions of the MyEye device’s capabilities to include:
- Immediate text reading
- Facial recognition
- Product identification
- Dynamic interactions (similar to natural conversations)
This AI companion could enable further enhancements for personalized actions such as more precise, on-demand responses tailored to the user’s individual preferences and interests.
Give me an example of this personalization.
Per OrCam, a user can tap on the device to receive a general summary of a scene or document, or—if they request it—detailed information on specific matters in real time (such as a menu or a medication leaflet).
Does it interact with the Web?
Yes! Via Web access, the AI companion provides users with updates on topics and current events, giving them access to visual and test information from offline and online sources, according to the company.
Lastly… where can I test this new AI companion out?
OrCam is unveiling the latest addition during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024, held January 9-12, 2024, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.