Sonar System Enables the Blind to "See"
From: MedGadget - 11/28/2012
By: Stanley Darma

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a device
with which congenitally blind people will be able to see again to some
extent. This “sonar vision” device transforms images into sound, enabling the
blind to perceive visual information via the ear. 

The sonar system can transform images into sounds by using a combination of a
video camera embedded in a pair of eyeglasses, a laptop and headphones.
Before being able to “see” with this device, a person will need about 70
hours of specialized training in identifying shapes transformed into sound.
After this training the blind person may become very adept at perceiving
information like where people are located in a room and even to read words
and letters. 

Read the entire article at:
http://medgadget.com/2012/11/sonar-system-enables-the-blind-to-see-again.html

Links:
Reading with Sounds: Sensory Substitution Selectively Activates the Visual
  Word Form Area in the Blind 
http://www.cell.com/neuron/retrieve/pii/S0896627312007635

A sonar vision system for the congenitally blind
http://www.cea.fr/english-portal/news-list/a-sonar-vision-system-for-the-congenitally-blind-96675

Amir Amedi’s Lab for Multisensory Research
http://brain.huji.ac.il/

Other MedGadget links of interest:
POWERLOADER Light (Exoskeleton) for Assistive Technology Research
http://medgadget.com/2010/10/powerloader_light_for_assistive_technology_research.html

Energy Efficient Ankle Mimicking Powered Prosthetic from Vrije Universiteit Brussel
http://medgadget.com/2012/11/energy-efficient-ankle-mimicking-powered-prosthetic-from-vrije-universiteit-brussel-video.html

Lifestreaming Wearable Cameras to Chart Dementia
http://medgadget.com/2010/08/lifestreaming_wearable_cameras_to_chart_dementia_2.html

“RiceWrist” Robot Exoskeleton Assists in Rehab for Spinal-Cord Injury Victims
http://medgadget.com/2011/04/ricewrist_robot_exoskeleton_assists_in_rehab_for_spinalcord_injury_victims_1.html