With a combination of advanced technologies, the ‘See U App’ was developed to transform the way visually impaired people interact with the world around them
Arthur Almeida, a researcher at the Edge Innovation Center, was the big winner of Inite Day, an initiative focused on accelerating startups with mentoring programs, strategic support and capital investment in Alagoas. The award ceremony took place during the Roga DX event, the largest gathering of the state’s technology community, which took place on August 30 and 31 at the Innovation Center in Jaraguá.
The ‘See U App’, the Inite Day champion app, is aimed at people who are blind or have severe visual impairments, and uses a combination of advanced technologies, such as echolocation, virtual reality and artificial intelligence, to provide vision and autonomy. “The idea to create the app came from a personal need and from close experiences. I am severely visually impaired, and I have always looked for ways to help other people with visual difficulties to perceive the world around them,” explains Arthur, who began developing the app in 2009, when he was studying for a degree in Health Systems Analysis and Development at Uncisal. Today, he has a multidisciplinary team of six collaborators.
For Arthur, who works at Edge as a senior developer, participating in Inite Day and coming out as the big winner validated his work. “I had the opportunity to present my project to an important audience, made up of experts and influencers in the technology area from all over Brazil. This visibility was essential to show the value of my project, in addition to connecting me with many influential people,” he says.
With the prize money, Arthur will invest in more advertising and implement improvements to the app. “It was a great honor to represent Edge in the competition and to experience the entire process. The award is providing unique opportunities and valuable connections, and I am excited about the future that unfolds from here,” he concludes.
Features of the ‘See U App’ – The See U App is powered by a few key technologies, such as Echolocation and Sonar, a technology similar to that used in autonomous vehicles to map the environment, but instead of converting images into visual data, it transforms this information into sounds, which help users identify the location and distance of objects and obstacles around them.
Using cameras and sensors, the app detects and classifies objects, obstacles and hazards, providing real-time audio and vibration feedback to guide the user. The app also provides clear instructions through audio commands, is able to identify and describe faces and facial expressions, and allows text to be read in different formats, providing access to vital information and literature.
In outdoor environments or large spaces, the ‘See U App’ uses mapping and GPS services to provide accurate routes and directions. Users can also control other apps and perform tasks such as ordering food or shopping using only voice commands. Available for Android and iOS, the app is accessible with a smartphone, headphones and an additional sensor, and offers a monthly subscription.
