EYERIS: A Virtual Eye to Aid the Visually Impaired

With just little aid to the visually impaired people existing currently, there is a need to implement a device that aids them in their daily activities. The existing systems such as Screen Reading software and Braille devices help visually impaired people to read and have access to various gadgets but these technologies become useless when the blind wants to carry out basic tasks, which involve recognizing the scene in front of him, for instance, the people or objects. Further, little devices exist that facilitate communication between a blind and deaf-dumb. Our system will facilitate around 285 million visually impaired people around the globe. Eyeris is made with an aim to aid a person with total or partially impaired eyesight without the need of a guardian. The configuration of hardware and software units is to be designed, which leads to detecting and recognizing objects, people and signs in the frame of vision and notifying the user about the same. We present a method, which uses object detection and facial recognition on the live stream of images. To enable communication between a blind and deaf person, American Sign Language (ASL) is also to be detected and recognized. The resultant object or person or sign is then transmitted to the impaired person in the form of audio. The guardian can be notified via a text message when the person needs help or is in danger. The goal is to provide inexpensive solution to the visually impaired and make their life better and self-sufficient.