AI-Powered Smart Glasses for the Blind and Visually Impaired

The Lumen glasses revolutionize mobility for visually impaired individuals by offering an alternative to traditional solutions like white canes and guide dogs. The Lumen glasses weigh approximately 850 grams, the battery life lasts for about two hours of continuous walking (for longer usage, users can connect a USB-C battery pack to extend battery life). It can guide users directly to their desired destinations, detecting door locations and assisting with door handle navigation through directional sounds and tactile feedback. Furthermore, the device is capable of identifying and interacting with various objects and environments, ensuring users are directed to appropriate seats and facilitating access to public transportation.

Technology behind the glasses

The AI process for training Lumen glasses involves utilizing a diverse dataset of over 1,000,000 images collected from 20 countries, representing various weather conditions and environments. Through this extensive training, the AI learns to understand different surroundings and identify safe walking surfaces and interactable objects. Additionally, voice recognition technology enables the device to understand user commands without requiring internet connectivity for real-time processing, ensuring independence from cloud processing. Once the glasses comprehend the user's environment, the AI dynamically plans safe paths over 100 times per second, providing feedback to guide users and maintain their trajectory. This innovative combination of advanced AI models and wearable technology enhances mobility and fosters greater independence.

The release of sales

Over 300 individuals have participated in testing the glasses so far. The release of the first model is scheduled for 2025 in Europe, followed by a release in the USA one year later. In Europe, the device will be accessible through various channels, including direct sales and healthcare providers, with efforts to identify and utilize available financial support mechanisms through reimbursement programs. Although the exact price has not been disclosed, it is expected to be around $10,000. In comparison, the training costs for a single guide dog can reach up to $40,000. The company plans to introduce a second version in approximately three years, aiming to make it lighter, more affordable, and overall improved. This version will target entry into lower-income countries, ensuring accessibility for all individuals, regardless of financial means. 

This article is inspired by the following resources:

DotlumenCEO Cornel Amariei on Assistive Technology for the Visually Impaired - Ep. 217‍

.LumenAccess Tech Live Talks Lumen Glasses for the Visually Impaired

 .Lumen Glasses website