Visually challenged get newly found freedom with TellMate

Filed in archive Implementation on August 20, 2007

Up till now we had the braille system to take care of the visually challenged people but what next? Moving beyond Braille, RFID too has the potential to emerge as important aid for these people. TellMate, an RFID system designed by S.J. Chin has the ability to aid blind people recognize objects which they may fail to identify in their everyday lives such as things kept in their wallet or purses. For e.g. it can help them to identify which credit card they need to pull out to pay for their purchases.

Besides helping out the blind the system is also being tested as an occupational aid for selecting scented massage oil for the clients. The system has three major RFID function buttons where the first one is used for recording descriptions, second one is used for playing back the recording and the third one is used for stopping the playback. One just needs to hold the handheld within a few centimeters of the object tag to hear the recording. The system also doubles up as an entertainment device where one can tune into FM radio and listen to MP3 songs plus keep a digital notebook of reminders, observances and lists. Overall it's a useful device aimed at offering independence to visually challenged people. It is expected to retail in US for $500.